Patent Publication Number: US-2021170294-A1

Title: System, method, and device for molding a modeling compound

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Divisional Application of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 16/277,247, filed on Feb. 15, 2019, and entitled “System, Method, And Device for Molding A Modeling Compound,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/710,425, filed on Feb. 16, 2018, and entitled “System, Method, And Device for Putty Composition Molding,” the entireties of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention disclosure introduces a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In brief and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among other things, a system, a method, and a device for molding modeling compound compositions such as, for example, silicone-based modeling compounds or any compound suitable for molding within the openable interlocking molding device described herein. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  depicts an exemplary molded article on a digit of a hand of a user, and corresponding components of an openable interlocking molding device, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 1B  depicts the exemplary molded article shown in  FIG. 1A  on a different substrate; 
         FIG. 2A-2F  depict the exemplary mold components and how they are fitted together to form the openable interlocking molding device, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 3A-3G  illustrates a series of steps demonstrating how the openable interlocking molding device in accordance with aspects herein is used; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  depict different exemplary molded modeling compounds, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary openable interlocking molding device kit, showing two different molds and two pieces of modeling compound; 
         FIGS. 6A-6F  depict how exemplary mold assembly structures in, for example, the kit depicted in  FIG. 5  can be interchangeably assembled, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 7A-7C  depicts a molded modeling compound molded according to  FIGS. 6A-6F  the assembly of interchangeable mold assembly structures with a first exemplary type of capping structure; 
         FIG. 8A-8C  depicts a different exemplary molded modeling compound molded by assembling a first molding component of a first openable interlocking molding device with a second molding component of a second openable interlocking molding device, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 9  depicts an alternative capping component for the openable interlocking molding device, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIGS. 10A-10D  depict an exemplary substrate structure that may be used with an exemplary openable interlocking molding device, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 11A-11E  depicts a different exemplary substrate structure that may be used with the openable interlocking molding device, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 12  depicts how portions of substrates may be interchangeable, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIGS. 13A-13B  depict yet another different exemplary substrate structure that may be used with the openable interlocking molding device to add an element of surprise, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 14  depicts an exemplary substrate structure with movable joints, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIGS. 15A-15C  depict an exemplary movable joint structure; 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  depict a figurine comprised of a modeling compound molded onto the exemplary substrate structure shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  depict an exemplary substrate structure with movable joints; and 
         FIGS. 18A and 18B  depict an exemplary substrate structure with movable joint in varying positions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of embodiments of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. 
     In accordance with aspects herein, a molding, embossing, and/or casting system for applying an external surface feature to a quantity of a modeling compound is described. Examples of molded modeling compound articles and corresponding mold structures are provided. In these examples, a mold structure for receiving a quantity of modeling compound may include a molding cavity having an internal volume corresponding to a volume of modeling compound provided with the molding system. In these examples, an openable interlocking molding device may be provided, where the openable interlocking molding device may be comprised of a first molding component and a second molding component that are complementary with or correspond to one another, such that together, they create a molding cavity useful for creating a three-dimensional molded article from a modeling compound. For example, the first molding component may comprise a first concave surface with a first plurality of ridges and valleys on the first concave surface. Similarly, the second molding component may comprise a second concave surface with a second plurality of ridges and valleys on the second concave surface. When assembled, the outer edge of the first concave surface of the first molding component may be configured to directly face, or be in a parallel plane with, the outer edge of the second concave surface of the second molding component such that the molding cavity is formed. 
     For example, the first molding component may be a mold front for molding embossing characteristics onto a first (front side) portion of a modeling compound, and the second molding component may be a mold back for molding and/or embossing characteristics to a second (back side) portion of the modeling compound, thereby forming a complete three-dimensional molded article or structure (e.g., a figurine, head, 3-D character, or the like). For example, the molding device may be configured for molding the surface characteristics onto a surface of a modeling compound to resemble, for example, a skull, where the first molding component would impart embossing characteristics of a skull to a front side of the modeling compound and the second molding component would impart embossing characteristics of the skull to a back side of the modeling compound, resulting in a three dimensional (3D) representation of the skull made of the modeling compound. 
     In further aspects, a standalone surface molding component may be a mold from for molding and/or embossing characteristics onto a first surface of a modeling compound. In this example, the standalone surface molding component may be used to impart embossing characteristics to a single or multiple different portions of a modeling compound, with or without a supplemental mold “back” to correspond with the mold front. In other words, a modeling compound may be applied to a base substrate surface having a desired three-dimensional structure. Once the base substrate&#39;s surface is covered with modeling compound, the standalone surface molding component may be applied to one or more portions of the covering of modeling compound, similar to the application of an embossed texture to a moldable surface. For example, in one aspect, a dinosaur mold substrate having a three-dimensional structure may be covered in a modeling compound, and subsequently treated with incremental applications of surface embossing by a mold structure configured to impart surface features of the dinosaur. In some aspects, a particular surface casting mold may correspond to a particular portion of the underlying substrate base, such as a surface mold configured to mate to at least a portion of the foot and/or leg of an underlying dinosaur mold, while a second casting mold structure may be configured to correspond to a different portion of the underlying substrate base, such as a surface mold configured to mate to at least a portion of the neck and/or head, applying the relative features for different portions of the underlying substrate. Accordingly, a first surface mold may include a single mold structure with a concave molding surface (e.g., molding dinosaur scales onto a first portion of a modeling compound-covered dinosaur substrate) giving a particular embossed appearance to the contacted modeling compound, whether or not the first surface mold&#39;s concave molding surface is mated to a supplemental mold structure to emboss further surfaces of the three-dimensional structure. As such, the mold structure may include multiple molded structures with concave molding surfaces, that couple together to impart surface molded features to multiple surfaces of the underlying substrate (e.g., both the front side of the dinosaur leg and the back side of the dinosaur leg, imparted with embossed features from two separate, interlocking molds). 
     In some aspects, the openable interlocking molding device includes a coupling mechanism on the first and second molding components. The coupling mechanism is generally configured to secure the first molding component and the second molding component to each other so that the first molding component and the second molding component are relatively immobilized relative to each other when the openable interlocking molding device is assembled and ready to receive the modeling compound. For example, the mold front may have an outer edge feature corresponding to an outer edge feature on the mold back, such that a mold front portion may couple to the mold back portion while a user secures a quantity of modeling compound and/or putty inside the mold. In further aspects, the internal volume of the mold, and surrounding surfaces of the interior molded characteristics, may correspond to an approximate volume of a single segment of a putty compound. In another aspect, the internal volume of the mold, and surrounding surfaces of the interior molded characteristics, may correspond to an approximate total volume of a single segment of putty compound with an additional, underlying substrate such as a pen, toy, a user&#39;s finger and/or thumb, and the like. For example, a particular volume of modeling compound, such as SILLY PUTTY®, available from Crayola LLC, Easton, Pa., may fit within the total mold volume when both the front and back mold portions are coupled together. In further aspects, a particular volume of modeling compound may fit within the total mold volume of a cavity formed between the front mold portion and the back mold portion with at least a portion of a substrate, such as a digit of a user&#39;s hand is pushed into the molding cavity of the openable interlocking molding device via an opening formed to receive the modeling compound when the openable interlocking molding device is assembled. In some aspects, the openable interlocking molding device is disassembled by moving the first molding component and the second molding component in a dismantling direction away from one another. The molding cavity is configured to receive the modeling compound from a direction of entry orthogonal to the dismantling direction of the openable interlocking molding device. 
     The modeling compound used with the openable interlocking molding device in accordance herein may include, for example, a prepackaged volume of the modeling compound that is configured to sufficiently fill the total internal volume of the molding cavity of the openable interlocking molding device. By “sufficiently fill” in accordance with aspects herein, it is meant that the molding cavity is fully packed with the modeling compound such that mold features on the concave surfaces of the molds become embedded in the outer surface of the mold and remain visible upon release of the mold from the modeling compound. In some aspects, the volume of the modeling compound configured to be retained within the cavity of the interlocking mold components may correspond to that available from a prepackaged SILLY PUTTY® filled-egg product, and the modeling compound may be configured to receive embossing characteristics on its surface once forced into contact with the surrounding mold features. In additional aspects, any portion of the molding cavity less than the total internal volume is utilized. 
     In some aspects, a user may wrap the modeling compound around a finger and/or thumb, and use the covered finger as a base structure to receive the openable interlocking molding device by assembling the openable interlocking molding device over the wrapped finger, as will become more apparent with respect to the figures (e.g., by moving the openable interlocking molding device in an assembling direction). In other aspects, the user may pre-assemble the openable interlocking molding device and then push the modeling compound through the opening and then disassemble the openable interlocking molding device (e.g., in the dismantling direction) to reveal the shaped and embossed modeling compound. By applying force through the pushing action, the modeling compound is forced to contact every mold feature (e.g., ridges, valleys, and the like) of the molding cavity/surface of the openable interlocking molding device. In other words, the modeling compound may be forced into contact with the interior surface of the molding cavity, forming a detailed embossed surface on the modeling compound that remains visible once the openable interlocking molding device is dismantled. As used herein, a ridge refers generally to a portion of a molding surface, wherein the portion has an elevation displaced in a first direction with respect to the molding surface. A valley, as used herein, refers generally to a portion of a molding surface, wherein the portion has an elevation displaced in a second direction that is opposite the first direction with respect to the molding surface. 
     Moving onto  FIG. 1 , an exemplary dismantled openable interlocking molding device  100  in accordance with aspects herein is shown. As shown, the openable interlocking molding device  100  is comprised of a first molding component  102  comprising a first concave molding surface  106  and a second molding component  104  comprising a second concave molding surface  108 , where the first concave molding surface  106  is configured to provide embossing characteristics, and where the second concave molding surface  108  is configured to provide embossing characteristics. The first concave molding surface  106  and the second concave molding surface  108 , when brought together by assembling the openable interlocking molding device  100 , substantially complement each other to form a molding cavity. By “substantially complementing” each other, in accordance with aspects herein means that at least 70% of a first perimeter  107  of the first concave molding surface  106  matches a second perimeter  109  of the second concave molding surface  108 . Each of the first concave molding surface  106  and the second concave molding surface  108  may optionally comprise a plurality of ridges ( 112   a  and  112   b ) and a plurality of valleys ( 110   a,    110   b,  and  110   c ) (i.e., mold features), as in the first concave molding surface  106  of first molding component  102 . The plurality of ridges ( 112   a  and  112   b ) and the plurality of valleys ( 110   a,    110   b,  and  110   c ) being configured to provide/impress the embossed characteristics to the modeling compound  160  (shown in  FIG. 3A ), resulting in a molded modeling compound  190 , as shown, where the ridges  112   a  and  112   b  created the recesses  192   a  and  192   b,  while the valleys  110   a,    110   b,  and  110   c  created the protrusions  194   a,    194   b,  and  194   c,  respectively. 
     The openable interlocking molding device  100  comprises a first coupling mechanism comprised of elements  120   a,    120   b,    120   c,    120   d  on first molding component  102 , and elements  130   a,    130   b,    130   c,    130   d  on second molding component  104 , for coupling the first molding component and the second molding component to each other. The elements  120   a,    120   b,    120   c,    120   d  on first molding component  102  and the elements  130   a,    130   b,    130   c,    130   d  on second molding component  104  may be integrally formed with the respective molding components during the manufacturing process of the openable interlocking molding device  100 . As shown, the first coupling mechanism may be comprised of a peg and hole system, where the elements  120   b,    120   d,    130   a,  and  130  are shown as pegs, and elements  120   a,    120   c,    130   b,  and  130   d  are shown as holes. The pegs are configured to fit through the holes so that the first molding component  102  becomes immobilized relative to second molding component  104  when the pegs are fitted through the respective holes. The configuration of pegs and holes shown in the figures is only exemplary and it is contemplated that the pegs and holes may be located in any configuration as long as the pegs and holes are located opposite relative to each other on the respective first molding component  102  and second molding component  104 . For example, instead of the first coupling mechanism being configured as shown, elements  120   a  and  120   b  may both be pegs and elements  130   a  and  130   b  may be respective holes configured to receive the pegs of elements  120   a  and  120   b.  In other words, it is contemplated that twenty four different configurations for the first coupling mechanism having four total elements on each molding component is possible. Further, although each molding component is shown as having four elements of the first coupling mechanism, it is also contemplated that only two, or only three elements may be provided per molding component. Particularly, depending on the overall shape (e.g., cube, as shown) of the assembled openable interlocking molding device  100 , as will become more apparent in view of later figures. Further, although the holes, as shown, comprise a hexagonal shape, it is contemplated that the holes may comprise any other geometric suitable shape, such as, for example, circular, triangular, star, square, and the like. Similarly, the pegs, although shown as having a cylindrical/frustum of a cone shape, the pegs may have any other suitable shapes, such as, for example, rectangular prism, a cone, a parabolic cone, and the like, as well as frusta of these shapes. 
     Continuing on  FIG. 1 , as shown, the openable interlocking molding device  100  may further comprise a capping component  140  configured to close the cavity opening  150  (shown in  FIG. 2C ) formed by an opening perimeter  152   a  located at first molding component  102  and opening perimeter  152   b  located at second molding component  104 . The capping component  140  comprises a capping lip  142  configured to seal the cavity opening  150  when the capping component is installed onto the openable interlocking molding device  100 ; and a second coupling mechanism comprised of a plurality of prongs  144   a,    144   b,    144   c,  and  144   d,  configured to fit into notches  146   a,    146   b,    146   c,  and  146   d  (shown in  FIG. 2B ). As such, the molding cavity of the assembled openable interlocking molding device  100  may be used to store the modeling compound  160 , when not in use. 
     In accordance with further aspects herein, when the modeling compound  160  is forced against the first concave molding surface  106  of first molding component  102  and second concave molding surface  108  of second molding component  104  when the openable interlocking molding device  100  is assembled, by pushing against the modeling compound  160  once it is inside of the molding cavity by, for example, a user&#39;s digit  195  (e.g., thumb, as shown), the molded modeling compound  190  may be revealed as being shaped and embossed with surface characteristics given by the respective concave surfaces of each of the first molding component  102  and the second molding component  104 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , instead of a digit, the user  197  may use an external tool such as a pen  199  (as shown), a pencil, a crayon, a wooden stick, a toy, and the like, to exert a force on the modeling compound  160  through the mold opening (not shown) to force the modeling compound  160  against the surfaces of the first molding component  102  and the second molding component  104 . 
     Moving on to  FIGS. 2A-2D ,  FIGS. 2A-2D  depict an assembling representation of the openable interlocking molding device  100 . At  FIG. 2A , for example, a dismantled version of the openable interlocking molding device  100  is shown, where the first molding component  102  is aligned with the second molding component  104  such that the first coupling mechanism has elements  120   a,    120   b,    120   c,  and  120   d  aligned with elements  130   a,    130   b,    130   c,  and  130   d,  respectively. Further, elements  120   a  and  120   b  may both be pegs and elements  130   a  and  130   b  may be respective holes configured to receive the pegs of elements  120   a  and  120   b.  Further,  FIGS. 2B-2C , show how capping component  140  is also aligned with the first molding component  102  and the second molding component  104  to illustrate how the second coupling mechanism comprised of prongs  144   a,    144   b,    144   c  and  144   d  would engage with notches  146   a,    146   b,    146   c  and  146   d,  respectively to cap the openable interlocking molding device  100 . Particularly,  FIG. 2C  illustrates how the first coupling mechanism completely engages the first molding component  102  and the second molding component  104 , and  FIG. 2D  illustrates how the capping component  140  engages the first molding component  102  and the second molding component  104  with the second coupling mechanism, thereby sealing the cavity opening  150  into the molding cavity. 
     As shown in the figures herein, the openable interlocking molding device  100  is configured to have a general cube shape when completely assembled (see  FIG. 2D ), where each of the first molding component  102  and the second molding component  104  are shaped as a half cubes. The general cube shape may facilitate storage when provided with multiple different openable interlocking molding device(s)  100 , for example, as the openable interlocking molding device(s)  100  would be stackable. However, it is contemplated that the general shape of the openable interlocking molding device  100  may be any shape, or any other 3D shape suitable such as, for example, any geometric three dimensional shape such as a sphere, a pyramid, a rectangle, and the like. 
     Further, as shown, the first molding component  102  and the second molding component  104  of the openable interlocking molding device  100  are generally hollow on the opposite side of the first concave molding surface  106  and second concave molding surface  108 , respectively. This feature provides several advantages to the openable interlocking molding device  100  such as reducing the amount of material needed to produce the openable interlocking molding device  100 , reducing the total weight of the openable interlocking molding device  100 , and providing a preview into the resulting construct, such as molded modeling compound  190 , that would be formed from the modeling compound  160  by using the openable interlocking molding device  100 . This is because the first concave molding surface  106  would manifest as first convex surface  174  and second concave molding surface  108  would manifest as second convex surface  172 . Although optional, the tabs  170   a,    170   b,    170   c,    170   d,    170   e,  and  170   f  may serve in packaging, such as, for example, when shrink wrapping. The openable interlocking molding device  100  may be manufactured from a thermoplastic material, such as, for example, a polypropylene plastic. The tabs  170   a,    170   b,    170   c,    170   d,    170   e,  and  170   f  may also serve to stabilize the first concave molding surface  106  and the second concave molding surface  108  during manufacture of the openable interlocking molding device  100 . For example, to prevent the first convex surface  174  and the second convex surface  172  from bowing in during a high temperature molding process of the openable interlocking molding device  100 . Further, although the first molding component  102  and the second molding component  104  are shown as being two separate components, it is also contemplated that they may be secured to each other by, for example, a living hinge  132  as shown at  FIG. 2E , a jointed hinge  134  as shown in  FIG. 2F , and the like. 
       FIGS. 3A-3G  illustrate steps for using the openable interlocking molding device  100 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , a user  197  would gather a first molding component  102  and a second molding component  104  and assemble them together by bringing them towards each other in a first direction  162 , and fitting elements  120   a,    120   b,    120   c,  and  120   d  with elements  130   a,    130   b,    130   c,  and  130   d  of the first coupling mechanism, as shown in  FIG. 3A . Once the cavity opening  150  for accessing the molding cavity is formed by bringing together opening perimeter  152   a  and  152   b,  modeling compound  160  may be inserted through the cavity opening  150  in a second direction  164 , where the first direction  162  is orthogonal to the second direction  164 , as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C . Once the modeling compound  160  is tucked into the molding cavity below, for example fill line  168 , as shown in  FIG. 3D , a user  197  may insert a substrate, such as, for example, the user&#39;s digit  195  of the user  197 , through the cavity opening  150  in the second direction  164 , as shown in  FIG. 3E . When the user  197  applies pressure on the modeling compound  160  in the second direction  164 , the modeling compound  160  becomes further pressed against the first concave molding surface  106  and second concave molding surface  108 . The first concave molding surface  106  and the second concave molding surface  108  may be treated to create a vapor home in order to facilitate release of the molded modeling compound  190  as the first molding component  102  and the second molding component  104  are dismantled by pulling them apart in a third direction  166 , as shown in  FIG. 3F . Once the molded modeling compound  190  is released from the openable interlocking molding device  100 , the user  197  may be free to play with the molded modeling compound  190 , as shown in  FIG. 3G . 
     Moving on to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , different exemplary molded modeling compounds are shown. These are only exemplary and it is contemplated that any character, toy, animal, and the like may be molded. For example, a dog head,  410 , a skull,  420 , an emoji  430  or  450 , a character face  440 , a tree  460 , a full body teddy bear  470 , and the like. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a kit  500  comprised of two openable interlocking molding devices  510  and  520  and two modeling compounds  530  and  540  is shown. The kit  500  is only exemplary, as it is contemplated that a kit in accordance with aspects herein, may be comprised of one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, etc. molding devices and modeling compounds, respectively. Once a user has at least two openable interlocking molding devices, as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6F , it is contemplated that the molding component  512 , the molding component  514 , the molding component  522 , and the molding component  524 , the capping component  516 , and the capping component  526 , for example, may be interchangeable with each other. For example, molding component  512  and  522  may be assembled with each other, as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6F , to create a double sided/two faced molded modeling compound  700 , as shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C , and following the steps as described above with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3G . The double sided/two faced molded modeling compound  700  is comprised of a happy face  712  and a sad face  722 , as divided, by for example the imaginary plane  710 . Another exemplary double sided/two faced modeling compound  800  is shown, having an emoji side  820  and a cupcake side  810 . Although the capping components  616  and  626  are shown to have the configuration of capping component  140 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , for example, it is also contemplated that the capping component may be in the form of a plug  900  with lip  910  for plugging the opening to the molding cavity formed when two molding components are assembled together. 
     In accordance with further aspects herein, a substrate structure  1000  may be provided, as shown in  FIGS. 10A-10D . For example, the substrate structure  1000  may be formed from a hard, non-porous material. “Hard” in accordance with aspects herein, may be any material that has a greater hardness than the modeling compound and is able to permanently retain its shape at room or colder temperatures. Exemplary materials may include, for example, thermoplastic materials, glass, stone, metal, treated wood, glass, silicone, and the like. Once the substrate structure  1000  is provided, the modeling compound  1010  may be wrapped around the substrate structure  1000 , as shown in  FIG. 10B . The modeling compound  1010  wrapped substrate structure  1000  may be fitted inside a molding cavity formed by concave molding surface  1050  of molding component  1020  and a concave molding surface of molding component  1030 , as shown in  FIG. 10C , to produce the molded modeling compound  1040  on the substrate structure  1000  to create, for instance in this example, a skin effect on the substrate structure  1000 . The molding cavity&#39;s perimeter may comprise one or more portions that tightly fit the substrate such as perimeter portion  1060 , while other one or more portions of the perimeter may have a modeling compound fitting gap, such as perimeter portion  1070 . As the substrate structure  1000 , most or all of the substrate structure (e.g., at least 90%) may be fitted inside the concave molding surface  1050  of molding component  1020  and of the fitted inside the molding cavity of molding component  1030 . 
     In other examples, such as the one shown in  FIGS. 11A-11E , the full body substrate structure  1100  may be a full body toy with a substrate coupling portion  1110 , configured to fit, for example, a substrate head portion  1120  having certain characteristics, where the substrate head portion  1120  may comprise certain characteristics related to the full body substrate structure  1100 , such as an alien smiling face, as shown. When a molding compound is wrapped around an entire surface of the substrate head portion  1120  and molded with a corresponding molding compound in accordance with aspects herein, to mold, for example, an angry alien face, the resulting molded modeling compound  1130 , as shown in  FIG. 11B  may result. Further, the rest of the full body substrate structure  1100  may optionally, also be wrapped in a modeling compound, as also shown in  FIG. 11B . Then, the molded modeling compound  1130  may be fitted onto substrate coupling portion  1110  in, for example, a direction  1140  to result in the molded full body toy  1150 , as shown in  FIG. 11C . As the molded modeling compound  1130  is pealed off of the substrate head portion  1120  and/or left to fall off by another force, such as gravity, as shown in  FIG. 11D , the substrate head portion  1120  may be slowly revealed to add an element of surprise and another dimension to the play experience to give the full body substrate structure  1100  a dynamic play experience, allowing one toy to have “two faces” such as, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 11C and 11E . Further, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the substrate head portion  1120  may be interchangeable with other substrate head portions such as, for example, the substrate structure  1000  with molded modeling compound  1040  from  FIG. 10D  to result in a toy structure  1200 , for example. In another aspect, the substrate structure  1300  may be, for example, a surprise hidden inside a molded modeling compound  1310 , as shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B . For example, in  FIG. 13B , the substrate structure  1300  is a cat hidden inside a lion molded from the molded modeling compound  1310 . 
     Furthermore, in accordance with other aspects herein, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the substrate may be in the form of an armature  1400  comprised of movable joints such as movable joint  1500  shown in  FIGS. 15A-15C . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the armature  1400  with movable joints may be, for example, an animal skeleton with movable leg joints, and/or other movable body parts. The joints may be configured as a ball and socket joint, such as movable joint  1500 , shown in  FIGS. 15A-15C , or may be configured as other types of joints such as hinged joints, pivot joints, gliding joints, and the like. Taking the movable joint  1500  as an example, formed from socket portion  1530  and ball portion  1540 , when molding a modeling compound  1510  over the armature  1400 , for example as shown in  FIG. 15C , the movable joint  1500  may initially be maintained in a first position by having the modeling compound  1510  completely envelope the movable joint  1500  and in some cases, squeeze through gaps (e.g.  1520 ) present between the socket portion  1530  and the ball portion  1540  of the movable joint  1500 . For example,  FIGS. 16A and 16B  shows, for example, the armature  1400  completely enveloped by a modeling compound  1610  to form a dinosaur figurine  1600  with detailed skin and flesh properties. Since the modeling compound  1610  may fluid to a certain extent, such as for example, SILLY PUTTY®, available from Crayola LLC, Easton, Pa., the force of gravity may cause the joints in, for example, legs  1620   a,    1620   b,    1620   c,  and  1620   d  to go from an initial straight first position  1630  to a second position  1640 , where the legs  1620   a,    1620   b,    1620   c,  and  1620   d  are bent, causing movement in the dinosaur figurine  1600 , thereby giving the impression that the dinosaur figurine  1600  is able to move on its own. 
     By way of further example,  FIGS. 17A and 17B  depict another substrate comprised of movable joints. The movable joints may comprise a filament or male member  1701  protruding from a first portion of the substrate. In this instance, the filament  1701  is protruding from a hand portion of the substrate/armature. The filament  1701  is configured to be inserted into an opening  1702  of a second portion of the substrate (e.g., the wrist portion in the current example). The filament  1701  and/or opening  1702  may be covered with a modeling compound  1703 . The modeling compound  1703  may be applied to the filament  1701  and/or the opening  1702  prior to insertion of the filament  1701  into the opening  1702 , after insertion of the filament  1701  into the opening  1702 , or a combination thereof. The modeling compound  1703  may be applied such that the joint is positioned in a first position  1705 , illustrated in  FIG. 17B . Once the hand and modeling compound  1703  travels from its original location (e.g., by gravity) in a direction  1704 , for example, the joint would result in a second position  1706 . Further, the user could position the filament substrate into the flexible modeling compound in any starting position desired by the user. 
     By way of further example,  FIGS. 18A and 18B  provide a substrate comprising movable joints. The movable joints may comprise a filament or male member  1801  protruding from an arm portion of the substrate. The filament  1801  is configured to be inserted into an opening  1802  of a second portion of the substrate (e.g., torso). The filament  1801  and/or opening  1802  may be covered with a modeling compound  1803 . The modeling compound  1803  may be applied prior to insertion of the filament  1801  into the opening  1802 , after insertion, or a combination thereof. With the filament  1801  into the opening  1802  and the modeling compound  1803  applied, a user may place an arm  1804  into a first position as illustrated in  FIG. 18B . As gravity pulls the arm down, the modeling compound may provide resistance to the movable joint allowing the arm to descent in a controlled, fluent fashion to a second position  1805  in direction  1806 , as shown in  FIG. 18B . 
     While the previous examples have illustrated movable joints in the context of a ball and socket-type joint or a filament and opening-type joint, it is understood that any type of connection may be utilized that allows for a freedom of movement consistent with a joint. It may be appreciated that different types of connections provide varying freedom of movement and, thus, different armatures may benefit from the use of a variety of connections for the joints thereof. Furthermore, it may be apparent to one of skill in the art that the sizes of the openings, filaments, sockets, etc., may be adjusted to further control the range of motion. 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.