PRANK SPILL SYSTEM AND METHOD

A system and method for an improved do-it-yourself novelty spill kit for pranking or playing a trick on others wherein an article of manufacture such as a simulated spill may be custom produced by a prankster for a desired pranking environment thus providing craft entertainment for the prankster and also improving the therapeutic prank effect for all involved.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing an improved do-it-yourself novelty spill kit for pranking or playing a trick on others. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for providing an improved do-it-yourself novelty spill kit for pranking or playing a trick on others wherein an article of manufacture may be custom produced by a prankster for a desired pranking environment, thus providing craft entertainment for the prankster and also improving the prank effect for all involved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As has been said, Laughter is the best medicine. Within the field of novelty joke or prank systems and methods are some very well-known items—the whoopie cushion, the nefarious dribble glass, fake vomit, fake canine excrement, the hand-held joy buzzer, and many other “classics”. Included in this prank hall of fame are the “spill pranks” of beverages, foods, chemicals, household and industrial items, and the like. Coffee spilled on expensive equipment or over important papers can cause an associated stakeholder to momentarily erupt with concern and anguish until the prank is discovered, and typically, both the guilty prankster, the relieved prankee, and possible others benefit from the ensuing jocularity.

Recently, prank spills have been embraced by manufacturers to both promote their products and to provide innocent entertainment for customers and the general public.

There are several known prank systems, such as described in US20050156027A1, US20130183883A1, ALEX Toys Kid Concoctions Silly Spill Science Kit available on Amazon and other retailers, How to Make a FAKE SPILL-DIY Prank available on YouTube, Easy Fake Spill Prank (How To) available on YouTube, April Fools' Day “Spill” available on YouTube, etc.

Typically, such products are offered by “fake item” manufacturers serving advertising, video production, stage and scene, food and beverage manufacturers and distributors, and similar industries.

Disadvantageously, such products are mass-produced and static meaning that one prank is exactly like the next and usually chosen from a catalog.

An additional disadvantage of known prank spill methods and systems is that an item and/or item brand is typically out of place meaning, an item that is not typically seen or used by a spill prankster or prankee during the daily routines of life will be out of place and therefore results in diminished entertainment.

To overcome these and other disadvantages, it is desired to provide an improved prank spill kit with which a prankster may utilize items seen or used during the daily life routines of the prankster and/or prankee to improve the impact of the spill prank and thus increase the jocularity release of stress and tension at the prank reveal or prestige.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved prank spill kit with which a prankster may utilize items, either branded or generic, typically seen or used during the daily life routines of the prankster and/or prankee to improve the impact of the spill prank and thus increase the jocularity release of stress and tension at the prank reveal or prestige.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved prank spill kit wherein a prankster is provided materials for making custom prank spills.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved prank spill kit wherein the material provided facilitates the prankster in making a custom prank spill to simulate a beverage spill, household chemical spill, food spill, cosmetic spill, industrial chemical spill, and/or combinations thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved prank spill kit wherein the material provided facilitates a desired overall viscosity of the simulated spill, a desired overall color of the simulated spill, a desired overall shape of the simulated spill, a desired overall opaqueness of the simulated spill, a desired overall texture of the simulated spill, a desired overall size of the simulated spill, and/or combinations thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pre-packaged kit including all necessary ingredients and instructions for creating a prank spill.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pre-packaged kit for creating a prank spill that is geared for and understandable to children, whereby children can create the prank spill.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a method of creating a do-it-yourself novelty spill for pranking or playing a trick on others, the method including the steps of mixing a non-toxic powder with water, wherein the non-toxic powder comprises sugar, gelatin, and a colorant, to form a mixture; transferring the mixture into a container; pouring the mixture over a drying tray to create the spill, wherein the mixture is connected to the container; allowing the mixture to dry; and removing the spill from the drying tray.

In some embodiments, the method also includes the step of heating the mixture before the step of transferring the mixture into a container. The mixture may be heated in a microwave for about 10 seconds to about 30 seconds. The mixture may also be allowed to rest before the step of heating the mixture.

In certain embodiments, the method also includes placing at least one of a spoon, a beverage stirrer and a bottle cap associated with the container within the mixture before the drying step.

In some embodiments, the mixture may be transferred to the container until it reaches a volume of about ⅓ to about ½ of the container.

In certain embodiments, the container is selected from a group consisting of a beverage container, an ice cream cone or cup, a milk bottle, a nail polish container, a cosmetics container, a household chemical container, an industrial chemical container, and combinations thereof the mixture is configured to not stain or stick on surfaces.

In some cases, the method may also include the step of drying the mixture with a heat source once it is transferred to the drying tray.

The stated objectives are also achieved by provision of a do-it-yourself novelty spill kit for pranking or playing a trick on others, including a non-toxic powder mix, and a drying tray. The non-toxic powder mix may include sugar, gelatin, and a colorant. The non-toxic powder mix may be configured to be mixed with water to form a novelty spill.

In some embodiments, the non-toxic powder mix further comprises a fragrance.

In certain embodiments, the drying tray is at least one of a plastic nylon tray, a silicone tray, or a parchment paper tray.

In some embodiments, the kit may be configured to generate three different spills. In additional embodiments, the kit may be configured to generate a single spill. In further embodiments, the kit may be configured to perform a spill selected from a group consisting of a beverage spill, household chemical spill, food spill, cosmetic spill, industrial chemical spill, and combinations thereof.

The kit may also include a container configured to be connected to the novelty spill.

In certain embodiments, the kit may include instructions to create the spill. The kit may further include instructions for placing a spoon, beverage stirrer, or bottle cap associated with the container within the mixture.

In some cases, the kit may include two or more non-toxic powder mixes, wherein each non-toxic powder mix comprises a different colorant to create different spills.

In certain embodiments, the colorant may be about 5% or less of the total non-toxic powder mix. In additional embodiments, the sugar may be about 20% to about 40% of the total non-toxic powder mix and the gelatin may be about 40% to about 65% of the total non-toxic powder mix.

Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth for the purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the use of these specific details.

Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts or ratios of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about”.

The term “about” as used in connection with a numerical value throughout the specification and the claims denotes an interval of accuracy, familiar and acceptable to a person skilled in the art. In general, such interval of accuracy is +−10%. Thus, “about ten” means 9 to 11. All numbers in this description indicating amounts, ratios of materials, physical properties of materials, and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about,” except as otherwise explicitly indicated.

As used herein, the term “comprising” means including, made up of, composed, characterized by, or having.

Objects of the invention are achieved by providing a do-it-yourself novelty spill kit for pranking or playing a trick on others.

The inventive kit may be pre-packaged and include all necessary ingredients and instructions to prank or play a trick on others. The pre-packaged kit involves providing to a user all of the elements used to create the spill including items, either branded or generic, powder mixture, and other items in order to make the spill authentic and have increased effect in the prank. In certain embodiments, the kit includes 15 to 10 pieces and is configured to generate three different spills. In other embodiments, the kit includes 11 to 25 pieces and is configured to generate four or more different spills. The kit may include 4 or more pieces for a single item spill.

The kit is configured to perform various types of spills, including but not limited to a beverage spill, household chemical spill, food spill, beverage spill, cosmetic spill, industrial chemical spill, brush spill, and combinations thereof. For example, the inventive kit may perform the following spills: a coffee/hot chocolate spill, an ice cream spill, a toothbrush spill, a milk, a yogurt, or a smoothie spill, a nail polisher spill, juice spill, beer spill, or combinations thereof.

It is preferable that the kit facilitate a desired overall viscosity of the simulated spill, a desired overall color of the simulated spill, a desired overall shape of the simulated spill, a desired overall opaqueness of the simulated spill, a desired overall texture of the simulated spill, a desired overall size of the simulated spill, and combinations thereof. In other words, the viscosity, color, shape, opaqueness, texture and/or size of the simulated spill should mimic the characteristics of a real spill as closely as possible to improve the prank quality and effect.

In certain embodiments, the kit may include a non-toxic fast-drying glue, a paint or food color, a container, and parchment paper/silicone mat. The kit may be provided with multiple paints or food colors in order to create various types of spills, such that there is an order or sequence in the kit and in the instructions to create the spill.

The parchment paper/silicone mat in the kit may be replaced or may be used in conjunction with a plastic wrap/paper. In certain embodiments, the parchment paper/silicone mat is usable for one spill or may be reused for a combination of spills.

The kit may include instructions for mixing the non-toxic fast drying glue with the paint or food color; inserting the mixture into the container; pouring the mixture over the parchment paper/silicone mat to create the spill, wherein the mixture is connected to the container; allowing the mixture to dry; and removing the spill from the parchment paper/silicone mat to create the spill for pranking or playing a trick on others. By having the mixture connected to the container, the effect of the prank spill is increased as it looks like a more authentic spill to a user.

During the step of mixing the non-toxic fast drying glue with the paint or food color, multiple paints or food colors may be mixed with the non-toxic fast-drying glue to create unique spills of various colors and configurations.

To create an even more authentic spill, the kit may further include instructions for placing a spoon, beverage stirrer, bottle cap or another object associated with the container within the mixture. This way, the effect of the prank spill is increased as it looks like a more authentic spill to a user.

The non-toxic fast drying glue and the paint or food color, once created as a mixture, and allowed to dry, preferrably do not cause any damage to surfaces on which the prank spill is used.

In additional embodiments of the invention, the kit may include a non-toxic powder mix, a container, and a drying tray. The non-toxic powder mix may be made with various suitable ingredients. In some embodiments, the non-toxic powder mix includes sugar, gelatin, and a colorant, all in a powder form mixed together. The amounts of each ingredient may be varied depending on desired characteristics of the spill. In some embodiments, the non-toxic powder mix may include about 20% to about 40% of sugar and about 40% to about 65% of gelatin. In some preferred embodiments, the non-toxic powder mix may include about 37% of sugar and about 59% of gelatin. The amount of the colorant in the non-toxic powder mix may be about 5% or less, and preferably about 4% or less of the total non-toxic powder mix.

The colorant in the powder mix is chosen based on the type of a spill being mimicked. For example, for a milk spill, a white opaque colorant may be used, and for a coffee spill, a brown corant may be used. Any suitable types of colorants many be used in accordance with the invention, including food grade colorants, synthetic colorants and naturally derived colorants. For example, beet powder can be used to mimic spills that have red/pink color, such as juice or strawberry.

The kit may be provided with two or more non-toxic powder mixes, wherein each non-toxic powder mix includes a different colorant to create spills of different colors. Alternatively, a colorant powder may be provided in separate packaging with instructions to add it to the non-toxic powder mix to create different color spills. More than one colorant may be provided with the kit.

Optionally, a fragrance may also be added to the non-toxic powder mix to create a more authentic spill that mimic the smell of a real spill. Any type of fragrance—e.g. natural fragrance or synthetic fragrance—may be used.

In some embodiments, the drying tray is at least one of a plastic nylon tray, a silicone tray, or a parchment paper tray. The drying tray may be a single-use tray which is discarded after the spill prank is complete for convenience. Alternatively, the drying tray me be reused for additional spill in the kit or for other purposes.

Other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a method of creating a do-it-yourself novelty spill for pranking or playing a trick on others comprising: mixing a non-toxic fast drying glue with a paint or food color to create a mixture.

As described above, in additional embodiments, a pre-mixed non-toxic powder mix may be provided instead of the glue and paint/food color. In this case, the non-toxic powder is mixed with water to create a liquid or semi-liquid mixture. In some embodiments, about 20 g of non-toxic powder is provided in the kit, which is mixed with about 15 ml of water. In it understood that different quantities of the powder and/or water may be used as desirable, depending on the size and consistency of the simulated spill.

Once the powder mix is mixed and water and stirred, the resulting mixture may be allowed to rest or bloom. In some embodiments, the mixture is allowed to rest or bloom for about 2 minutes. After that, the mixture is heated. Any suitable heating method may be used, such as, e.g., placing the mixture in a microwave. The mixture may be heated for about 10 to 30 seconds, and preferably for about 20 seconds, or another appropriate time period depending on the heat source. The mixture is preferably stirred again after heating.

Next, the mixture is inserted into a container and then poured over a drying tray, e.g., plastic tray, parchment paper or silicone mat, to create the spill, wherein the mixture is connected to the container. The mixture may occupy about ⅓ of the container when poured therein. In certain embodiments, the mixture includes the volume of about ⅕ or ¼ of the container. The container may include an interior surface with line indications such that a user knows how much spill to spill out from the container to make the spill appear authentic. The container may be a generic or branded container. In certain embodiments, the container is selected from a group consisting of a chocolate cup, ice cream cone/cup, milk bottle, beer can, nail polish remover, or combinations thereof.

The mixture is then allowed to dry for a certain time period. In some embodiments, the mixture is allowed to dry for about 1 hour at room temperature. In additional embodiments, the step of allowing the mixture to dry occurs in 10 minutes or less. In further embodiments, the step of allowing the mixture to dry occurs in 5 minutes or less. A heat source may be used to dry the mixture such that the mixture dries in 2 minutes or less.

The dried spill is then removed from the drying tray to create the spill for pranking or playing a trick on others. In certain embodiments, once the mixture is dried, it is non-sticky such that it can be easily removed from the drying tray without sticking to the tray. This is advantageous such that the prank spill may be performed by a child, who is then able to set up the prank spill on a second surface (such as a computer keyboard) in order to effectuate the prank.

In certain embodiments, a spoon, beverage stirrer, paintbrush, bottle cap or another object normally associated with the container may be placed within the mixture to create a more authentic and effective prank.

In an embodiment of the instant improved prank spill kit invention, an inventive simulated spill may be produced utilizing and mixing materials provided in the inventive kit such as a non-toxic fast-drying glue, such as Tackey Glue®, and a pigment, such as a paint or food color, to resemble and simulate a desired spill. The spill simulant may then be introduced into a kit provided and/or user-provided and desired container, filling approximately one-third of the container. The container may then be slowly poured or spilled over parchment paper/silicone mat and/or similar non-sticky paper. The container/spill combination is then left to dry. Once completely dry, the simulated spill may be removed from the parchment paper/silicone mat for prank execution.

In certain embodiments, the invention involves a spill kit, methods for producing a prank spill and systems and kits with instructions for producing a prank spill.

In certain embodiments, an inventive prank spill may be produced by a prankster, or an agent acting on behalf of a principal prankster utilizing materials in the kit, and at times materials commonly on-hand for a given prankster and/or prank environment while and thus providing artistic, creative, and as required therapeutic revenge on and toward a worthy prankee.

The inventive kit and method can be used so that children can have fun and learn by creating their own spill and then being able to prank friend and family with the final creations.

Referring to the figures,FIG. 1shows a prank spill of a soda, such as Pepsi®. In this embodiment, the spill is shown being connected to the container (soda can) and has the same coloring and consistency of a Pepsi® soda. Such a spill can be placed on a user keyboard to prank a user.

FIG. 2shows a coffee spill in a Starbucks® paper cup and includes a wooden stirrer connected to the spill.

FIG. 3shows a beer spill being shown on player cards and money, such that the playing cards and money are shown being tinted by the beer.

FIG. 4shows a beer spill with a beer can of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

FIG. 5shows a ketchup spill with the ketchup being shown connected to the ketchup container. Such a spill can be used outdoors on a newspaper or computer or even clothing of a prankee.

FIG. 6shows a nail polish spill whereby the spill is connected to both the cap and base of the nail polish bottle.

FIG. 7shows a motor oil spill and can be used in a prankee's workspace, shed or even on a car.

FIG. 8is a flowchart of a method of the invention showing various steps to create the spill.

FIGS. 9-11 and 13show the creation of a yogurt spill in accordance with the method of the invention using a container (yogurt container) being connected to the mixture of glue and white paint set on parchment paper/silicone mat to create the spill.

FIGS. 12 and 15-17shows an ice cream spill being made on parchment paper/silicone mat and being connected to a paper cup.FIGS. 15-17show a plastic spoon connected to the spill.

FIG. 14shows a coffee spill being created which includes a wooden stirrer as well as a black coffee mixture of glue and paint.

FIG. 18shows the creation of a nail varnish spill.

FIG. 19shows a wine spill. A wine spill can be used on a couch during a dinner party and a prankster can prank his or her parents by pretending that wine was spilt on a couch.

FIGS. 1-19show various spills which can be made from both glue and powder as set forth in the specification.

FIG. 20is a flowchart of additional embodiment of the method of the invention showing various steps to create the spill.

FIG. 21is a flowchart of another embodiment of the method of the invention showing various steps to create the spill.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation and that various changes and modifications in form and details may be made thereto, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.