Method and means for packaging educational kits

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for packaging educational kits, in particular, for packaging construction sets, logic and board games, and teaching-aid kits. A container, which is part of the packaging, is used simultaneously for storage, for assessing the completeness of a set, for sorting components into sections, for assembling complex models, and for exchange between individuals or groups. The technical result is achieved with the aid of a graphic identifier, which specifies the location of each component according to a particular shape and/or color. The graphic identifier is applied to the upper or lower surface of a container's lodgment plate. A building element and its specific identifier are arranged alongside one another so as to be visible simultaneously, making a mismatch of the two items impossible to miss; the completeness of the entire kit is easily determined on the basis of all the components matching their specific identifiers.

Claims

1.-3. (canceled)

4. A packaging means for packaging an educational kit comprising a set of elements, wherein the packaging means comprises at least three parts, the at least two parts comprise a first part having a fixing surface and configured to fix a position of each element of the set of elements on the fixing surface, the fixing surface of the first part being made either as a lodgment plate having sockets that are made according to shapes of the elements, or as a flat surface having small protrusions that prevent the elements from moving, or as a surface having an adhesive coating; the at least two parts comprise a second part configured to fix a position of the set of parts on the surface of the first part and configured to prevent any or each of the elements from moving away from the fixing surface of the first part; the packaging means further comprises a set of graphic identifiers each representing an image of one element of the set of elements, each graphic identifier of the set of graphic identifiers corresponding to one element of the set of elements by color and shape, the set of graphic identifiers being either provided on the first part or the second part of the packaging means or made as an inserted sheet of paper or plastic-like material; all the above-indicated components of the packaging means provide a strictly ordered arrangement of the set of elements in accordance with the set of graphic identifiers.

5. The packaging means of claim 4, wherein the first part has a flat or curved surface of constant or variable curvature.

6. The packaging means of claim 4, wherein the first part is made of polycarbonate, methylmethacrylate, or transparent silicone.

7. The packaging means of claim 4, wherein the second part is made of plastic or a perforated material that provides visual identification for the elements which are arranged on the fixing surface of the first part.

8. The packaging means of claim 4, wherein the second part is attached to the first part by using a standard closure element.

9. The packaging means of claim 4, further comprising a container made of cardboard, plastic or wood.

10. The packaging means of claim 4, wherein the means is made as a set of packages.

11. The packaging means of claim 10, wherein the means is made as a strip having a connecting bridge between each two adjacent packages of the set of packages, each of the connecting bridges being made of a fabric material.

12. The packaging means of claim 10, wherein the means is made as a book in which the at least three parts are attached to each other along an edge of the book.

13. A method for packaging an educational kit comprising a set of elements by using the packaging means of claim 4, wherein the method comprises: defining a pattern for arranging elements of the set of elements relative to one another on the fixing surface of the packaging means; arranging the elements on the fixing surface of the first part of the packaging means, the packaging means being made according to the pattern and configured to fix a relative position of the elements on the fixing surface; attaching the first part of the packaging means to the second part of the packaging means, the second part being configured to prevent the elements from moving away from the fixing surface of the first part of the packaging means; providing each of the elements arranged in this way with the graphic identifier made as a realistic image or any other symbol identical to the corresponding element; applying the graphic identifiers to at least one of surfaces of the packaging means such that each element and the corresponding graphic identifier are adjacent to each other and both seen at once, wherein all the graphic identifiers form a single image of the set of elements, and wherein the image unambiguously corresponds to the relative position of the elements on the fixing surface.

14. A method for storing an educational kit comprising a set of elements, wherein the method comprises: collecting elements of the set of elements for storage in the packaging means according to claim 4; arranging the elements of the set of elements on the fixing surface of the first part of the packaging means, the first part being configured to fix a relative position of the elements according to a predefined pattern; attaching the first part and the second part of the packaging means to each other in such a way as to prevent the elements from moving away from the fixing surface of the first part; arranging each of the elements in an individual place on the fixing surface of the first part according to a shape and color of the corresponding element; providing each of the individual places on the fixing surface of the first part with a realistic image of the corresponding element having a corresponding shape and color or with other graphic identifier identical to the corresponding shape and color of the element; wherein at least when the element is placed into the container, the element and the corresponding graphic identifier are seen at once in order to ensure that if they are not matched with each other, this will be visible; and wherein the fixing surface has a size and shape that make it possible to see all the elements at once in order to assess whether the set of elements is complete.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0052] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be acquired by referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the substance and embodiments of the invention when considered in conjunction with the description.

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the packaging means using the example of a Lego construction set.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows several options for the spatial alignment of the visual identifier of a part with the part itself, which is placed in the socket of the lodgment plate.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows the visual identifier in the form of a semitransparent image located directly above the corresponding part or element.

[0056] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b show a packaging means in the form of a strip of material

[0057] FIG. 5 shows packaging means in the form of a book.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a way of using a tablet or smartphone to verify the completeness of an educational set.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] One of the embodiments of the method and means of packaging a construction set is shown in FIG. 1. The present invention is illustrated in a schematic drawing showing a container designed especially for said embodiment and used for the organized positioning, storage, and transportation of a construction set. The building elements are arranged in the container in such a way as to make possible either a quick visual “at a glance” assessment of the completeness of a set or automatically, using an electronically aided image analysis system that employs video cameras.

[0060] The packaging means is a container 1 that includes a lodgment plate 3, which is preferably made of a transparent material, such as polycarbonate, methylmethacrylate, or transparent silicone with a thickness of 3-5 mm. The container 1 may have from one to several such plates 3.

[0061] In plate 3, the pockets 4a, 4b, and 4c are 2-4 mm deep and in the shape of parts 5a and 5c, and other elements of the same set not shown in FIG. 1. The horizontal dimensions of the recesses somewhat exceed those of their corresponding parts so that each element (i) can be freely inserted into and removed from its corresponding pocket, (ii) is retained in the pocket at a small inclination of up to 30 degrees, and (iii) freely falls out of the pocket when the plate is turned over.

[0062] Beneath the transparent lodgment 3, at the bottom of the container 1, is an identification layer 2, which is a sheet of paper or a thin sheet of plastic-like material with realistic images of the building elements printed or embossed on it. Each image on the identification layer 2 matches its corresponding building element in shape and color. The images of the elements on the identification layer 2 are arranged so that the outline of each image is matched perfectly with the outline of the pocket 4 designed to hold the corresponding element on the lodgment plate 3. The user inserts the building elements into the pockets 4 on the lodgment plate 3, ensuring that each element inserted into the corresponding pocket is identical with the image visible exactly under the pocket. As a result, the view of the complete set of elements placed on the lodgment plate 3 is identical with the image of the set of elements on the identification layer 2.

[0063] The lodgment plate 3 is covered from above with a relief cover or lid 8, made of a thin transparent material, such as polyethylene terephthalate, so that the protrusions in the lid correspond precisely in size and shape to the elements of the building set, which have been inserted into the pockets on the lodgment tray 3 corresponding to the image on the identifying layer 2. Thus, the raised portion 9a of the cover is positioned on the protruding larger portion of the element 5a inserted into the pocket 4a and placed above the image 6a of the element 5a. The raised portions 9b and 9c shown in FIG. 1 are in the shape of the elements that correspond to those inserted into the cutouts 4b and 4c respectively.

[0064] The cover, or lid, 8 can be attached to the lodgment plate 3 with any closure element (not shown in the drawing) that is widely used for plastic packaging for consumer goods, food containers, and stationery. The locked cover, or lid, 8 prevents the building elements from moving out of their cutouts regardless of the container's orientation.

[0065] In another embodiment of the invention, the identification layer 2 with the images of the construction set elements, may be on the bottom of the container. However, if the packaging is comprised of two or more stackable containers similar to those described above, each of the containers should have its own identification layer showing images similar to those described above 2.

[0066] The user is provided with the packaging means which includes one or more containers with an assortment of building elements arranged on a lodgment plate and covered with a transparent cover that makes it possible to see all elements at once and each element individually. The cover is easily removed by unlocking the standard closure elements. The building elements, which are in their designated pockets are not mixed together but arranged in a manner that makes it easy to assess whether the set is complete and to assemble the model. Additionally, the elements are not firmly fixed in their pockets and may be removed effortlessly.

[0067] Any fully assembled model can be disassembled, and the user can return each element to its respective pocket on the identification plate 3, guided by the graphic identifier for each element in the set. If the identifiers depicting the image of the building elements are directly beneath the lodgment layer, then the image of each element is positioned precisely below its pocket and clearly visible, making it even easier to return the educational set to its original state.

[0068] When all elements are in place, the cover, or lid, is placed on top of the lodgment layer. The cover is then locked using the closure elements, which fixes the building elements in place so that they cannot move about. In this way, the construction set is prepared for storage, reuse, or sanitization. Moreover, the educational set is effectively ready for rapid at-a-glance verification as to whether the set is complete.

[0069] FIG. 2 shows a slightly different method of packaging a similar construction set. The method is also based on ensuring that the positions of the elements are precisely matched with their corresponding images. Images or any other graphic identification are shown in different variants.

[0070] The container 1, which is made of paperboard or another material suitable for use as packaging material, includes the lodgment tray 3 which has cutouts, each of which is in the shape of the corresponding building element. The lodgment plate can be made of a flexible material, such as polyethylene or polyurethane foam, or of a rigid material, such as wood and plywood.

[0071] The lodgment plate 3 is placed on top of the identification layer 2, which represents the surface for the elements arranged on the sheet, the relative position of which is fixed by the specified lodgment plate. In one of the embodiments, shown in FIG. 2, the images of the construction elements of the educational set are placed on the upper surface of the identification layer 2. When the lodgment plate 3 is placed on the identification layer 2, the images are visible through the cutouts mentioned above. Thus, the element 5a is inserted into the corresponding cutout in the lodgment plate 3 above the corresponding image 6a on the identification layer 2.

[0072] A different embodiment of the graphic identifier calls for the image of each element to be placed on the upper surface of the lodgment plate and adjacent to the cutout for each element. FIG. 2 shows element 5c inserted into the cutout adjacent to its corresponding graphic identifier 6c.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the shapes of the pockets and cutouts match the shapes of the elements to be placed in them. In principle, this makes it possible to gather a certain set of building elements according only to the shapes of the elements and their corresponding receptacles, as is done with children's toys of the “sorter” type. However, construction elements differ not only in shape but also in color. In order to organize the shapes according to color, graphic identifiers 6b, shown in FIG. 2 in the form of a colored outline, are drawn around the perimeter of each cutout.

[0074] Another method for achieving precise spatial alignment between any building element and its corresponding graphic identifier is shown in FIG. 3. A semitransparent image of a building element 10 appears on the upper surface of the container's transparent cover 9 directly above its respective cutout 3a in the lodgment plate 3 into which is inserted the building element 5. In this case, the transparent cover provides the graphic identification. The shape and color of the graphic identifiers and the building elements correspond to each other; thus, they are perfectly matched. The user or person responsible for sanitization can view a packaged set of elements with a transparent cover, with graphic identifiers applied to it, and identify at a glance whether the graphic identifiers on the transparent cover correspond to the elements contained in the lodgment plate below. The same is true with regard to determining the presence or absence of any detail, the pocket or recess for which is on a lodgment plate positioned below its corresponding graphic identifier.

[0075] In respect of the embodiments of the invention described above, it is understood that that lodgment plates similar to those shown in FIG. 1, or any lodgment plates with graphic identifiers applied to their lower surface, similar to those shown in FIG. 2, are placed into a container. The plates 3 can be firmly attached to a graphic identification panel or sheet, or the two pieces can be separate. One container may hold several lodgment plates, each with graphic identifiers applied to its lower surface and each one stacked on top of the other.

[0076] Similarly, in the embodiment described in FIG. 3, the elements' graphic identifiers can appear on either the upper surface of the cover 9 or on a separate sheet positioned on the cover above the lodgment panel.

[0077] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show other embodiments of the packaging means for educational sets, or kits, that require more than one lodgment plate.

[0078] FIG. 4 shows three lodgment plates 20a, 20b and 20c attached to one another by a broad strip of flexible material made, for example, of fabric or other material with similar properties. The rectangular pieces of the strip, 21d, 21e, which are attached to the lodgment plates along one side, are the same width as that of the plates, while their length is slightly greater than the length of the plates.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 4a, the lodgment plates together with the pieces that connect them form a one-piece strip of flexible material. The lodgment plates can be attached to the entire flexible strip on the top. And at the same time fragments of the strip which are covered by plates 20a, 20b, 20c form corresponding underlying identifiers of these plates. The remaining free segments 21d and 21e of the strip form a connecting bridges. Alternatively, the connecting bridges can be formed by separate pieces of the strip.

[0080] FIG. 4b shows that when the plates 21a, 21b, and 21c are stacked one on top of the other the strip of flexible material attached to them is folded in such a way as to form linings 21d and 21e between the plates.

[0081] In FIG. 5, the lodgment plates 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d are attached to one another using a method similar to that used to bind together the pages of a book. When open, the container resembles an open book, for example, with the right-hand side containing building elements inserted into the lodgment plate and the left-hand side containing the relevant page or pages 26 of the assembly instructions. When folded, the container resembles a closed book, which can be stored conveniently on a shelf 28, with its spine 27a and 27b facing outward and information about the models clearly visible on the spine.

[0082] FIG. 6 shows how augmented reality may be used to verify whether all elements of a construction set are in place. A mobile device, such as a tablet, laptop, smartphone, or other similar device, equipped with a camera and validation and inventory app that determines the article number of the set. An on-screen image from a computer camera showing the building elements can be supplemented by images of virtual parts arranged in the same order. By combining both images—real and virtual—the completeness of the set can easily be checked. A special app can perform inventory.

[0083] The embodiments for the means used for packaging of educational sets described above should not be construed as limiting any patent claims of the invention. Various changes and additions which are obvious to specialists in the art can be introduced without exceeding the scope of the invention.