Patent Application
20240328747
The present invention relates generally to the field of disappearing ink delivery systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a non-permanent liquid or powder solution that can be added to a toy water gun or gel bullet gun. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in disappearing ink delivery systems. Generally, people who enjoy playing with toy water guns or gel bullet guns may not be able to see what target they have hit with a shot. Accordingly, keeping score can be difficult if playing a game involving these types of toy guns. Further, people may be looking for easier ways to identify hit targets while using water guns and gel bullet guns.
Erasable or disappearing inks are well known and used for a wide variety of fun and useful purposes but are typically restricted to writing via felt-tip marker type pens. Water guns and gel bullet guns are also well known and used for a wide variety of fun purposes. The focus of such water guns or gel bullet guns has been recreational fun. However, with the introduction of targets and other directional games, the use of water makes it difficult for users to determine what target they have hit and what score they have obtained.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved disappearing ink delivery system that allows a user of a water gun or gel bullet gun to determine what target they have hit for a brief period of time. More particularly, there is a demand for a disappearing ink delivery system that allows users to keep score while playing a game with water guns and gel bullet guns.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a disappearing ink delivery system that provides users with a non-permanent liquid or powder mixture that can be added to toy water guns or gel bullet guns. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a disappearing ink delivery system that functions as a successful shot marker, such that targets are marked with a specific color upon getting hit. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disappearing ink delivery system that utilizes a powder or liquid stored in a jug that is mixed with water before being infused into the ammunition. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that improves target identification when playing games involving toy water guns and Gelbee toy guns. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disappearing ink delivery system that allows the mark to disappear shortly after contact. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disappearing ink delivery system that can be used with any type of toy water gun, gel bullet gun, or spray bottle.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a disappearing ink delivery system. The system is a delivery system that utilizes toy water guns and Gelbee toy guns. Disappearing ink can be loaded into the toy water guns and Gelbee toy guns for use to shoot targets. The disappearing ink can be created by a powder or a liquid in a container component that is mixed with water to form the disappearing ink. The mixture is then loaded into toy water guns as ammunition. The mixture of disappearing ink will provide a mark on contact to confirm to the user that they have hit their target. However, the mark will not be permanent and will disappear shortly after contact.
In this manner, the disappearing ink delivery system of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a device that provides a means for creating disappearing ink for toy water guns and Gelbee toy guns. A powder or liquid is mixed with water to form the disappearing ink, which is then loaded into toy water guns and Gelbee toy guns as ammunition.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a disappearing ink delivery system. The system is a delivery system that utilizes toy water guns and Gelbee toy guns. Disappearing ink can be loaded into the toy water guns and Gelbee toy guns for use to shoot targets. The disappearing ink can be created by multiple mixtures or solutions, as disclosed below. The mixture/solution is then loaded into toy water guns as ammunition. The mixture/solution of disappearing ink will provide a mark on contact to confirm to the user that they have hit their target. However, the mark will not be permanent and will disappear shortly after contact.
In operation, the disappearing ink mixture/solution is inserted into a toy water gun or Gelbee toy gun. Specifically, the disappearing ink mixture/solution is inserted into the reservoir tube of the water gun via a funnel or other suitable insertion component. The disappearing ink passing through the reservoir tube escapes through the nozzle when the toy water gun is fired (i.e., trigger is pressed or engaged) and hits a target leaving a temporary mark that will disappear shortly after contact.
In one embodiment, the temporary mark created by the disappearing ink from the toy water gun begins to disappear and create a faint image that will completely disappear after 30 to 60 seconds.
The following examples show various formulas for creating the disappearing ink which is inserted into the toy water guns and Gelbee toy guns for leaving temporary marks:
In one embodiment, the disappearing ink is a mixture of 10% Ethanol, 1% o-Cresol Phthalein, and 50 mM of aqueous NaCO3. The 1% o-Cresol Phthalein is a pH indicator and can, for all intent and purposes, be substituted by other pH indicators. The 50 mM NaCO3 also can, for all intent and purposes, be substituted by a wide variety of basic compounds.
In another embodiment, the thymolphthalein (or phenolphthalein) is dissolved in ethyl alcohol. Then, 90 ml of water is stirred in, which will produce a milky solution. Finally, the sodium hydroxide solution is added dropwise until the solution turns a dark blue or red.
In another embodiment, mix together in solution 95.20 percent by weight isobutyl alcohol which acts as the solvent for the ink, 1.30 percent by weight polyvinyl pyrrolidone resin (PVP), 1.75 percent by weight, 2,4-dihydroxy-benzophenone and 1.75 percent by weight propyl gallate which is an invisible or colorless reagent which reacts to form a dark gray or black area when an iron octoate color activator fluid is brought in contact with the colorless reagent.
In one embodiment, mix together in solution 95.50 percent by weight isobutyl alcohol, 1.00 percent by weight polyvinyl pyrrolidone resin (PVP), 1.75 percent by weight 2,4-dihydroxy-benzophenone and 1.75 percent by weight propyl gallate.
In one embodiment, the disappearing ink is created by compounding a low viscosity ink containing a colorless reagent capable of giving a colored reaction or reaction product with another reagent, polyvinyl pyrrolidone resin (PVP) to bond and prevent migration of the reagent on the paper and a butyl or amyl alcohol solvent. The alcohol acts as the vehicle for the PVP and the colorless reagent which are dissolved therein. The color activating means is a separate compound, usually in fluid form. It is applied to the solution or powder with the invisible ink and reacts to cause the invisible markings to become visible. Alcohols, which provide the proper evaporation rate, include 1-pentanol, n-butyl alcohol, and isobutyl alcohol. Invisible ink solutions containing PVP in a range of about 0.8 to 2.0 percent by weight are preferably employed.
The colorless or invisible reagent capable of giving a colored reaction product with another reagent must react almost instantaneously with the color activating means. The reagent and activator must also be substantially nontoxic and safe for use as intended. Among those colorless reagents successfully tested and their corresponding color activating means useful in the compositions of the invention are the following: propyl gallate, dimethyl glyoxime, potassium succinate, sodium nitrite. Color activating means include: iron octoate, nickel chloride, copper chloride, phenylene diamine hydrochloride or a-naphthyl amine hydrochloride. The maximum percentage of colorless reagents is critical since too much reagent produces the appearance of color on the paper after a short aging time. It has been found that the concentration of the reagent is preferably less than 5 percent by weight. At least about 0.5 percent by weight of the reagent is necessary to achieve desirable visible results.
Preferably, the ink composition contains about 1.75% by weight of propyl gallate. Propyl gallate is substantially nontoxic and provides an almost immediate reaction with iron octoate to form a dark grey or black area. Sodium nitrite also provides an exceptionally fast reacting ink; whereas, potassium succinate is relatively slow, requiring about five seconds after activation to begin to become visible.
The visible reaction product has a number of advantageous characteristics. First the product is insoluble in water. This prevents the possibility of water damage or smudging. Second, the reaction occurs quickly. Third, the reaction is clean. It immediately anchors to the fibers of the paper and the reaction product remains on the paper.
In one embodiment, the ingredients from the invisible ink composition are mixed under normal conditions of temperature and humidity (i.e., 70° F., 30% to 40% relative humidity) by dissolving the PVP and colorless reagent in the appropriate alcohol. The ink is used under similar conditions. The mixture is vigorously agitated during combination of, and until the components are completely dissolved. Care is exercised when handling the alcohol since it is volatile and flammable.
In yet another embodiment, the disappearing ink delivery system comprises a plurality of indicia.
In yet another embodiment, a method of utilizing disappearing ink as ammunition in a toy water gun or Gelbee gun is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a disappearing ink delivery system comprising a toy water gun that utilizes disappearing ink for ammunition. The method also comprises mixing up the powdered or liquid disappearing ink with water. Further, the method comprises filling the toy water gun or toy Gelbee gun with the disappearing ink mixture. Finally, the method comprises utilizing the toy water gun or toy Gelbee gun filled with the disappearing ink mixture to hit targets with a temporary mark that will disappear shortly after contact.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disappearing ink delivery system that provides users with a non-permanent liquid or powder mixture that can be added to toy water guns or gel bullet guns. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a disappearing ink delivery system that functions as a successful shot marker, such that targets are marked with a specific color upon getting hit. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disappearing ink delivery system that utilizes a powder or liquid stored in a jug that is mixed with water before being infused into the ammunition. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that improves target identification when playing games involving toy water guns and Gelbee toy guns. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disappearing ink delivery system that allows the mark to disappear shortly after contact. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disappearing ink delivery system that can be used with any type of toy water gun, gel bullet gun, or spray bottle.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel disappearing ink delivery system. The system is a delivery system that utilizes toy water guns and Gelbee toy guns. Disappearing ink can be loaded into the toy water guns and Gelbee toy guns for use to shoot targets. The disappearing ink can be created by a powder or a liquid in a container component that is mixed with water to form the disappearing ink. The mixture is then loaded into toy water guns as ammunition. The mixture of disappearing ink will provide a mark on contact to confirm to the user that they have hit their target. However, the mark will not be permanent and will disappear shortly after contact. The present invention also includes a novel method of utilizing disappearing ink as ammunition in a toy water gun or Gelbee gun. The method includes the steps of providing a disappearing ink delivery system comprising a toy water gun that utilizes disappearing ink for ammunition. The method also comprises mixing up the powdered or liquid disappearing ink with water. Further, the method comprises filling the toy water gun or toy Gelbee gun with the disappearing ink mixture. Finally, the method comprises utilizing the toy water gun or toy Gelbee gun filled with the disappearing ink mixture to hit targets with a temporary mark that will disappear shortly after contact.
Referring initially to the drawings,
Furthermore, the toy water gun 104 can be any suitable water gun as is known in the art. Specifically, the toy water gun 104 can be piston water guns, syringe loaders, pump-action reservoirs, air-pressurized water reservoirs, constant pressure system guns, split chambers for air pressure and reservoirs, peristaltic pump guns (i.e., hand-cranked), etc., or any other suitable water guns 104 as is known in the art.
Additionally, the toy water gun 104 comprises a body component 112, which can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user and the type of water gun 104 being used. The body component 112 also includes a handle component 114 for allowing a user to hold the water gun 104, as needed. The interior of the body component 112 includes a reservoir component 116, which is filled with the disappearing ink solution 102 when a user wishes to shoot the toy gun 104. The reservoir component 116 typically comprises a removable cap 118 which seals the reservoir 116 once filled with disappearing ink 102. The body component 112 also comprises a nozzle 120 for expelling the disappearing ink solution 102 and a trigger 122 for controlling when the disappearing ink solution 102 is expelled.
In one embodiment, the disappearing ink delivery system 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 123. The body component 112 of the toy water gun 104 may include advertising, trademark, other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 112, or any other indicia 123 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 123 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be water gun, disappearing ink, or brand related.
As shown in
In operation, the disappearing ink solution 102 is inserted into a toy water gun 104 or the disappearing ink balls 132 are inserted into a Gelbee toy gun 110. Specifically, the disappearing ink solution 102 or the disappearing ink balls 132 are inserted into the reservoir component 116 of the water gun 104 (or the reservoir component 130 of the Gelbee toy gun 110) via a funnel (not shown) or other suitable insertion component as is known in the art. The disappearing ink solution 102 (or the disappearing ink balls 132) passing through the reservoir component 116 or 130 escapes through the nozzle 120 or 136 when the toy water gun 104 (or Gelbee toy gun 110) is fired (i.e., trigger 122 or 138 is pressed or engaged) and hits a target 108 leaving a temporary mark 106 that will disappear shortly after contact.
In one embodiment, the temporary mark 106 created by the disappearing ink solution 102 from the toy water gun 104 (or the disappearing ink balls 132 from the Gelbee toy gun 110) begins to disappear and create a faint image that will completely disappear after 30 to 60 seconds, allowing the target 108 to display the user's shot temporarily. Thus, a user can determine what part of the target 108 they hit and yet still use the target 108 over and over after a brief period of time.
As shown in
In one embodiment, the disappearing ink solution 102 is a mixture of 10% Ethanol, 1% o-Cresol Phthalein, and 50 mM of aqueous NaCO3. The 1% o-Cresol Phthalein is a pH indicator and can, for all intent and purposes, be substituted by other pH indicators. The 50 mM NaCO3 also can, for all intent and purposes, be substituted by a wide variety of basic compounds.
In another embodiment, the thymolphthalein (or phenolphthalein) is dissolved in ethyl alcohol. Then, 90 ml of water is stirred in, which will produce a milky solution. Finally, the sodium hydroxide solution is added dropwise until the solution turns a dark blue or red.
In another embodiment, mix together in solution 95.20 percent by weight isobutyl alcohol which acts as the solvent for the ink, 1.30 percent by weight polyvinyl pyrrolidone resin (PVP), 1.75 percent by weight, 2,4-dihydroxy-benzophenone and 1.75 percent by weight propyl gallate which is an invisible or colorless reagent which reacts to form a dark gray or black area when an iron octoate color activator fluid is brought in contact with the colorless reagent.
In one embodiment, mix together in solution 95.50 percent by weight isobutyl alcohol, 1.00 percent by weight polyvinyl pyrrolidone resin (PVP), 1.75 percent by weight 2,4-dihydroxy-benzophenone and 1.75 percent by weight propyl gallate.
In one embodiment, the disappearing ink solution 102 is created by compounding a low viscosity ink containing a colorless reagent capable of giving a colored reaction or reaction product with another reagent, polyvinyl pyrrolidone resin (PVP) to bond and prevent migration of the reagent on the paper, and a butyl or amyl alcohol solvent. The alcohol acts as the vehicle for the PVP and the colorless reagent which are dissolved therein. The color activating means is a separate compound, usually in fluid form. It is applied to the solution or powder with the invisible ink and reacts to cause the invisible markings to become visible. Alcohols which provide the proper evaporation rate include 1-pentanol, n-butyl alcohol, and isobutyl alcohol. Invisible ink solutions containing PVP in a range of about 0.8 to 2.0 percent by weight are preferably employed.
The colorless or invisible reagent capable of giving a colored reaction product with another reagent must react almost instantaneously with the color activating means. The reagent and activator must also be substantially nontoxic and safe for use as intended. Among those colorless reagents successfully tested and their corresponding color activating means useful in the compositions of the invention are the following: propyl gallate, dimethyl glyoxime, potassium succinate, sodium nitrite. Color activating means: iron octoate, nickel chloride, copper chloride, phenylene diamine hydrochloride or a-naphthyl amine hydrochloride. The maximum percentage of colorless reagents is critical since too much reagent produces the appearance of color on the paper after a short aging time. It has been found that the concentration of the reagent is preferably less than 5 percent by weight. At least about 0.5 percent by weight of the reagent is necessary, however, to achieve desirable visible results.
Preferably, the ink composition contains about 1.75% by weight of propyl gallate. Propyl gallate is substantially nontoxic and provides almost immediate reaction with iron octoate to form a dark grey or black area. Sodium nitrite also provides an exceptionally fast reacting ink; whereas, potassium succinate is relatively slow, requiring about five seconds after activation begins to become visible.
The visible reaction product has a number of advantageous characteristics. First the product is insoluble in water. This prevents the possibility of water damage or smudging. Second, the reaction occurs quickly. Third, the reaction is clean. It immediately anchors to the fibers of the paper and the reaction product remains on the paper (i.e., target 108).
In one embodiment, the ingredients from the disappearing ink solution 102 are mixed under normal conditions of temperature and humidity (i.e., 70° F., 30% to 40% relative humidity) by dissolving the PVP and colorless reagent in the appropriate alcohol. The ink is used under similar conditions. The mixture is vigorously agitated during combination of, and until the components are completely dissolved. Care is exercised when handling the alcohol since it is volatile and flammable.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “disappearing ink delivery system”, “disappearing ink system”, “delivery system”, and “system” are interchangeable and refer to the disappearing ink delivery system 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the disappearing ink delivery system 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the disappearing ink delivery system 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/493,027, which was filed on Mar. 30, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63493027 | Mar 2023 | US |
