Play material

A play material is formed using a self cross-linking sodium alginate combined with germaben II-E and butylparaben preservatives. A sodium chloride salt provides further preservative action which increases the firmness of the alginate gel material. The play material exhibits improved preservative action and avoidance of eye and skin irritation problems on the part of the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to play material compositions and 
particularly to those intended for available for use by young children. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Play compositions of different types have been provided by practitioners in 
the toy arts through the years to amuse children and adults and to aid in 
the development of manual skills and dexterity as well as creativity. 
While the variety of such play material compositions is virtually endless, 
all generally involve the use of free-forming or malleable materials such 
as oil base or water base gums and gel compounds which may be manipulated 
and shaped by the user. Certain materials have been provided which are 
moldable and tend to retain their shapes such as modeling clay or the 
like. Others, however, have been provided which are looser and more 
free-flowing such as novelty play materials and compositions. Still others 
are gel-like and provide interesting characteristics such as shaking or 
quivering similar to gelatin dessert products. 
Regardless of the type of play material compounds used, it has remained 
imperative that such materials be safe for young children. Safety 
requirements have evolved through the years as concerns have grown. 
Generally safety requirements mandate that play material compositions be 
non-irritating to the skin or eyes or the like and be non-toxic if 
ingested. Additional requirements have been employed in certain materials 
to avoid damage to clothing, upholstery fabric or carpeting. 
The continuing need for evermore improved and varied play material 
compositions has prompted practitioners in the art to develop a great 
number of such materials. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,541,851 issued to 
Wright sets forth a PROCESS FOR MAKING PUTTYLIKE ELASTIC PLASTIC SILOXANE 
DERIVATIVE COMPOSITION CONTAINING ZINC HYDROXIDE in which a composition of 
matter comprises a dimethyl silicone of the type generally known as a 
"bouncing putty". The invention is directed to a process for making such 
bouncing putties by treating the dimethyl silicone with a compound of 
boron preferably followed by further treatment using head and/or a 
catalyst. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,498 issued to Ahrabi sets forth a PLASTIC MODELING 
COMPOSITION comprising manogalactan gum, alkali metal borate, boric acid, 
high molecular weight polysaccharide, bacteriostat, fungistat, filler, 
colorant and perfume. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,565,815 issued to Christy sets forth a PHOSPHOR CONTAINING 
PLASTIC POLYSTYRENE which provides a moldable plastic product having 
adhesive properties and which may made to glow in the dark. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,634,280 issued to Dean, et al. sets forth a GLOWING 
BOUNCING PUTTY in which a non-toxic novelty composition comprises a 
bouncing putty material possessing unusual properties such as the ability 
to glow in the dark after exposure to a light source. The putty 
composition is preferably formed of a solid gel-like heat reaction product 
of dimethyl silicone oil with a minor portion of a boron compound. In its 
preferred form, the material is subsequently treated with heat or a 
catalyst. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,661,790 issued to Dean, et al. sets forth a GLOWING 
BOUNCING PUTTY similar to that set forth in the above-referenced U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,634,280. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,654 issued to Liu sets forth a MODELING COMPOSITION 
formed of material fillers such as clay and talc together with hydrocarbon 
petroleum distillate oil, waxy paraffinic hydrocarbon oil, a liquid 
silicone compound, an astringent, a humectant, glue and water. The 
composition is moldable and shapable when initially mixed and properly 
stored but ultimately takes a permanent set after a predetermined cure 
time. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,873,485 issued to Fichera sets forth a MOLDABLE AQUEOUS 
PLASTIC MASS OF POLYETHYLENE OXIDE FUMED SILICA AND POLYGLYCOL which is 
formable into a plastic mass useful as an entertaining and educating 
medium. The mass is non-newtonian, has low internal rebound and is 
thixotropic and may be formed into window glass which is extremely strong 
and impact resistant. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,547 issued to Lester, et al. sets forth a POLYMERIC 
MOLDING COMPOSITION formed from water soluble compounds admixed from a two 
part wet phase and dry phase combination comprised from the interaction by 
nucleophilic substitution of a hydroxyl group of an alcohol. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,054 issued to Ogawa, et al. sets forth a MODELING 
COMPOSITION FOR CRAFT WORKS AND A METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREFOR in 
which an improved modeling compound of a soft pliable working consistency 
formable into any desired shape is provided which is relatively fast 
drying to assume a permanent shape. A small amount of dibutyl 
hydroxy-toluene or butyl hydroxy-anisole or both is included in the 
composition. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,229,790 issued to Greenberg sets forth a METHOD AND 
COMPOSITION FOR FORMING A PLASTER OBJECT for use in the formation of toy 
figures and the like. The molding powder mixture includes calcium sulphate 
hemihydrate combined with xanthan gum. The material once formed dries to 
form a porous lightweight object. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,976 issued to Amano, et al. sets forth a MODELING 
MATERIAL COMPOSITION comprising a synthetic resin and a wooden powder 
together with an oil formulation. The synthetic resin is a rubber 
reinforced styrene resin. The oil used is a hydrocarbon oil utilizing an 
aromatic ring forming carbon. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,660 issued to Cane sets forth a CROSS-LINKED GEL 
MODELING COMPOSITION capable of assuming various colors which is 
cohesively strong but pliable and ductile. The compound is formed by 
combining a wood flower to a water-based gel using cross linkable guar gum 
as a gellant. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,329 issued to Nelson, et al. sets forth a CALCIUM 
FORTIFIED MILK in which a fortified milk formula is made by the addition 
of a tribasic calcium phosphate, carrageenan and guar gum combined with 
fresh milk. 
While certain of the foregoing described play material compositions have 
enjoyed some commercial success and provided amusement and entertainment, 
there remains a continuing need in the art for evermore improved and 
varied play material compositions. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an 
improved play material. It is a more particular object of the present 
invention to provide an improved play material which reduces eye and skin 
irritation on the part of play material users. 
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a play material 
comprises: a self cross-linking sodium alginate; a glycerin solution in 
excess of 90 percent; germaben II-E preservative; butylparaben 
preservative; sodium chloride; and water.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 sets forth a flow diagram of the manufacturing process for producing 
the present invention play material. The process begins at a step 10 in 
which a predetermined quantity of distilled water is measured into the 
mixing chamber. The process then moves to a step 11 in which predetermined 
quantities of germaben II-E and butylparaben are mixed while the mixture 
is simultaneously heated. The process then moves to a step 12 in which the 
mixing and heating continues afterwhich the process moves to a step 13 in 
which the mixture temperature is measured. At a decision step 14, a 
determination is made as to whether the mixture formed in steps 11 and 12 
has reached eighty degrees Centigrade. In the event the temperature has 
not reach eighty degrees Centigrade, the process returns to steps 12 and 
13 for continued mixing and heating together with temperature measurement 
until the temperature reach eighty degrees Centigrade at step 14. Once a 
determination is made that the mixture temperature has reached eighty 
degrees Centigrade, the process moves to a step 15 in which sodium 
alginate is added to the mixture formed in steps 11 and 12. Thereafter, 
the process moves to a step 16 in which the mixture now containing sodium 
alginate is continuously mixed and cooled to a temperature between thirty 
degrees Centigrade and forty degrees Centigrade. Once the desired 
temperature is reached, the mixing process continues at a step 17 until a 
homogeneous mixture is achieved. At step 18, a determination is made as to 
whether the mixture has become completely homogeneous. So long as the 
mixture is not completely homogeneous at step 18, the process returns 
through step 17 and continues mixing. 
Once the mixture has been found to be completely homogeneous at step 18, 
the process moves to a step 19. 
In a separate container, the process at a premixing step 23 provides a 
premix of glycerin and colorant materials which are added to the existing 
homogeneous mixture at process step 19. The process then moves to a step 
20 in which sodium chloride is added and mixed into the existing mixture. 
Thereafter, the mixing process continues at a step 21 until the resulting 
mixture is once again completely homogeneous. Once a homogeneous mixture 
has been obtained, the material is transferred at step 22 to a storage 
tank to await later distribution and use by the consumer. 
The present invention play material exhibits an extremely elastic and 
interesting flow characteristic which provides substantial interest and 
enjoyment on the part of users. Concurrently, the formula and process set 
forth herein provides a play material which substantially avoids skin and 
eye irritation problems associated with many types of prior art play 
materials. The present invention play material is produced using the 
above-described process in accordance with the following formula: 
TABLE I 
______________________________________ 
INGREDIENTS PERCENT BY WEIGHT 
______________________________________ 
SELF CROSS-LINKING 
2.5 to 4.0 
SODIUM ALGINATE 
GLYCERIN (99%) 1.00-3.50 
COLORANT 0.058 
DI-WATER q.s. to 100 
GERMABEN II-E 1.35 
BUTYLABEN 0.005 
SODIUM CHLORIDE 2.00-7.00 
______________________________________ 
In the formula set forth above, the sodium alginate preferred comprises a 
self cross-linking sodium alginate such as the alginate blend having type 
number K1B374, manufactured by Kelco Corporation. The glycerin solution 
utilized comprises a 99 to 99.5 percent solution. While the colorant used 
in the formula set forth in Table I is, to some extent, a matter of design 
preference, it has been found preferable generally to utilize colorants 
which are pigments in order to avoid imparting a staining characteristic 
to the play material. Thus, for example, the colorant set forth in the 
formula of Table I may include saturn yellow T-176 and horizon blue T-19 
both manufactured by Day Glo Corporation. 
The formula set forth above also includes sodium chloride together with a 
preservative formed by germaben II-E together with butylparaben. The 
combined germaben II-E and butylparaben, together with the sodium 
chloride, control yeast, fungus, mold and pathogenic bacteria. In the 
formula set forth above, the quantities of germaben II-E and butylparaben 
used permit the present invention play material to readily meet and pass 
all standard tests relating to eye and skin irritation as well as oral 
toxicity and other microbial susceptibility tests. The sodium chloride 
presence within the present invention formula performs a dual role of 
providing a preservative while simultaneously increasing the firmness of 
the alginate gel formed. The germaben II-E is manufactured by Sutton 
Laboratories while the butylparaben is manufactured by Spectrum 
Corporation. 
While the formula set forth above in Table I provides for variation of the 
percentages by weight of glycerin and sodium chloride ingredients which 
provide for variation of the firmness and viscosity characteristics and 
some handling characteristic of the present invention play material, a 
preferred formula is provided by the following quantities of ingredients 
set forth below in Table II. 
TABLE II 
______________________________________ 
INGREDIENT PERCENT BY WEIGHT 
______________________________________ 
SODIUM ALGINATE 3.33 
GLYCERIN (99.5%) 1.50 
COLORANT: 
SATURN YELLOW T-17 
.0465 
HORIZON BLUE T-19 .0115 
DI-WATER q.s. to 100 
GERMABEN II-E 1.35 
BUTYLABEN 0.005 
SODIUM CHLORIDE 4.00 
______________________________________ 
The material provided by the relative percentages of ingredients shown in 
Table II is similar to a play material previously manufactured and sold by 
Mattel, Inc. under the trademark "SLIME". Thus, the play material provided 
by the formula of Table II exhibits elastic properties while concurrently 
providing an easily manipulatable firmness and viscosity together with a 
tendency to adhere to other play objects and surfaces. The use of the 
selected colorants in the proportions set forth in the formula of Table II 
provides a highly desirable somewhat transparent neon characteristic to 
the present invention play material. It will be apparent to those skilled 
in the art, however, that other colorants may be used to achieve other 
color effects without departing from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
What has been shown is novel play material having an alginate base which 
provides exciting play characteristics and which simultaneously reduces 
the possibility of eye and skin irritation on the part of the users. The 
material may be readily manufactured using commercially available 
ingredients and may readily be manufactured in commercial quantities using 
typical commercial manufacturing processes. 
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and 
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and 
modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its 
broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all 
such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of 
the invention.