WO1999067000A1

WO1999067000A1 - Method and kits containing preformed units for use in amusement activities

Info

Publication number: WO1999067000A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/014533
Authority: WO
Inventors: John F. Holland; Melvin S. Schindler; Timothy M. Colonnese
Original assignee: Ktm Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-06-24
Filing date: 1999-06-24
Publication date: 1999-12-29
Also published as: AU4836899A

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of providing preformed units (10, 12, 14 and 18) possibly in kit form (20), made from an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient composition that are adhesive to each other or to heterologous surfaces when wet with water and are made from a water dispersible composition, and using said units in amusement activities which include constructing arts and crafts and decorating projects. The present invention can be used both as a toy and as a construction material for games or decorating projects for children of all ages.

Description

METHOD AND KITS CONTAINING PREFORMED UNITS FOR USE IN AMUSEMENT ACTIVITIES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to amusement activities which include toys, games, decorating projects, and arts and crafts projects. Specifically, the present invention relates to preformed units that are made from a light weight, water dispersible composition that are adhesive to a heterologous surface when the contacting surfaces of the preformed units are wet with water and are made from a starch or similar composition.

(2) Description of the Related Art

Arts and crafts and decorating projects usually use or require materials with properties that are inherently messy, difficult to use, or are toxic to the person using them, especially to children. These inherent properties suggest that children should only use these arts and crafts materials under the supervision of an adult. Examples of materials used in arts and crafts projects and decorating are modeling clays, paper mache, wood, paints, cloth, crayons, and markers. All of these materials suffer from the disadvantage of being either toxic, messy, or difficult to use. Certain clays, paints, crayons, and markers can be toxic, and when applied to surfaces such as walls, floors, carpeting, and furniture are difficult to remove. In addition, all of these materials require a level of skill and care in use that is not usually inherent in children, especially very young children. Accordingly, use of these materials requires the supervision of an adult.

A popular activity of children is decorating articles or themselves to enhance the appearance of the article or to make the appearance of the article or themselves amusing.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a product to children that is safe for use in toys and as a decorating material for use in arts and crafts projects. Such a material should be light weight, nontoxic, biodegradable, and noninjurious to children. The material should enable construction of a wide variety of projects without the use of paints, adhesives, or markers. Such a product should be versatile enough to allow very young children the latitude to create a wide variety of imaginative projects without the constant supervision of an adult, while allowing older children to use the product to create challenging projects according to the child's skill level.

U. S. Patent No. 5,447,584 to Shakespeare et al describes an edible, water soluble composition of low density for use in toys, games, and arts and crafts projects. The invention uses sheets of the composition from which shapes can be cut out. The shapes are adhered to each other by wetting the shapes and pressing the shapes together. The advantage of the invention is that the composition is biodegradable and nontoxic.

The preferred embodiment of the composition of Shakespeare et al. utilizes a starch-based composition for forming biodegradable packing material as was disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 5,185,382 and No. 5,208,267 both to Neumann et al. Another starched-based composition for forming biodegradable packing material was disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,186,990 to Starcevich.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for forming amusement activities which includes toys, games, 9/67000

-3- decorating projects, and arts and crafts projects using preformed units made from an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient composition that are adhesive to a heterologous surface when the contacting surfaces of the preformed units are wet with water and are made from a water dispersible starch composition. The present invention further provides for a kit comprising the preformed units for amusement activities. The present invention is useful both as a toy and as a construction material for decorations, games, and arts and crafts projects which are safe for children of all ages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a front view illustrating an arts and crafts project wherein preformed units are used to decorate an article of clothing, and a person's face for amusement. Figure 1 shows a person from the waist up wearing a t-shirt 30 with a circular design 32 and a word 34 spelled out below the design, both made from preformed units 14. The face of the person is decorated as well with a round preformed unit 18 adhered to the person's nose and "devil's horns" made from preformed units 14 adhered to the person's forehead. Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating several examples of preformed units. Figure 2A shows a conical preformed unit 10, figure 2B shows a preformed unit 12 in the shape of a nose, figure 2C is a perspective view of an elongated preformed unit 14, figure 2D shows a preformed unit 16 in the shape of an ear, and figure 2E shows a preformed unit 18 in the shape of a round ball.

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a kit for holding a plurality of preformed units. The kit 20 comprises a transparent flexible bag 22 containing preformed units such as preformed units 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 and an instruction booklet 24 on how to use the preformed units. The bag has at one end a hang tab 26 for displaying the brand-name and other information and with an eyelet 28 for hanging.

Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating an arts and crafts project wherein a design in a coloring book is "colored" with preformed units. The illustration is of a page 42 from a coloring book 40 with a line drawing 44 of a butterfly wherein the user has adhered variously colored preformed units 14 within the areas defined by the line drawing.

Figure 5 is a front view illustrating an arts and crafts project whereby preformed units are used to decorate an object. The illustration is of a window 50 having a flower design 52 and a word 54 spelled out on separate window panes 56, each made from preformed units 14.

Figure 6 is a front cross-sectional view of a first dispenser or applicator device 60 for applying moisture to a building unit. The device consists of a container 61 for holding water with a bottom 62 and sides 64 extending upward therefrom defining the container. The container is filled with water and a wicking material 66 is placed therein.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the applicator device 60 of figure 6 showing the sides 64 of the container 61 and the wicking material 66 therein.

Figure 8 is a front cross-sectional view of a second dispenser or applicator device 70 for applying moisture to a building unit. The device 70 consists of a container 71 for holding water with a bottom 72 and sides 74 extending upward therefrom defining the container. The container is fitted with a roller 76 rotatably mounted on an axle 78 in the container. The container 70 is filled water and as the roller is rotated on shaft 78, a film of water adheres to the roller 76 and is available for wetting a building unit.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the second dispenser 70 of figure 8 showing the sides 74, the roller 76 mounted on the axis 78 in the container 71.

Figure 10 is a side view of an apparatus 80 for producing preformed units by extrusion. The apparatus 80 comprises a mixing chamber 82 wherein the mixture 84 is placed. The mixture 84 is positioned within the extrusion chamber 86 wherein it is extruded through flow plate 88 and cut by cutter 90 to produce preformed unit 14. Figure 11 is a frontal perspective view of flow plate 88 having orifice 87 therethrough for producing preformed unit 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method for use in activities which are for amusement which can include but are not limited to games, constructing arts and crafts projects, and decorating projects. The method comprises providing a plurality of preformed units which comprise an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient composition wherein the preformed units are adhesive to a heterologous surface when the contacting surfaces of the preformed units are wet with water and are made from a water dispersible starch or similar composition. The amusement activity is formed by wetting the surfaces of the preformed units to be adhered to the heterologous surface with water, and pressing the wetted preformed units to the heterologous surface while the preformed unit bonds to the heterologous surface.

The activity for amusement or arts and crafts or decorating project can be a design, words, amusing display, a target for a water gun, or any other project imagined by the user. The preformed units may also be molded into the shape of letters or figures. Preformed units molded into other shapes for use in specific decorating projects are also encompassed by the present invention. The preformed units can be adhered to a plurality of heterologous surfaces, including but not limited to glass, metal, stone, wood, paper, plastic, cloth, clothing, human skin and hair. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the composition comprising the preformed units includes a coloring agent in an amount effective to color the preformed units. The coloring agent may be a food coloring or other nontoxic dye, preferably a coloring agent approved for use in food items. The coloring agent may also be a luminescence agent or a phosphorescence agent that glow in the dark or a fluorescence agent that fluoresces when exposed to light. The present invention also provides for a kit for use in activities for amusement such as games and for forming an arts and crafts or decorating project comprising a plurality of preformed units which are comprised of an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient composition that are adhesive to a heterologous surface when the contacting surfaces of the preformed units are wet with water and are made from a water dispersible starch composition, a container for the preformed units, and instructions for use. In a preferred embodiment, the kit comprises a container to hold the preformed units that is transparent. The container may be of a material and form as to provide a support to which the preformed units can be adhered. Preferably the container is a transparent flexible bag. The kit can also include an applicator for dispensing the water to wet the preformed units. Examples of applicators that can be included in the kit are a sponge (not shown) , applicator 60 or applicator 70. In one embodiment, the preformed units of the present invention comprise a starch or grain flour supplemented with a water dispersible binding agent 000

-7- wherein the binding agent is polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof. The starch or grain flour can be produced from corn, waxy maize, tapioca, potato, wheat, barley, rice, rye or a mixture thereof. In another embodiment, the preformed units comprise a vegetable flour or water dispersible synthetic polymer and a water dispersible binding agent. In the preferred embodiment, the preformed units further include a coloring agent in an amount effective to color the preformed units produced.

The present invention also provides a method for producing preformed units of an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient water dispersible composition for amusement activities and constructing arts and crafts or decorating projects which comprises the steps of providing a mixture comprising a starch and a binding agent, extruding the mixture under pressure and high temperature to form a continuous expanded length of the composition. The preformed units are made by cutting the continuous length of the composition into a plurality of preformed units. The preformed units are packaged for sale for amusement activities which include games and arts and crafts projects.

The present invention further provides a method for producing preformed units of an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient water dispersible composition for amusement activities and arts and crafts and decorating projects wherein the steps comprise providing a mixture comprising a starch base and a polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof, extruding the composition under pressure and high temperature to form a continuous length of the composition. The preformed units are made by cutting the continuous length of the composition into a plurality of preformed units. The preformed units are packaged for sale for amusement activities which include games and arts and crafts projects. 7000

-8-

The present invention further provides for an apparatus 80 for producing preformed units. The apparatus 80 comprises a mixing chamber 82 wherein the mixture 84 is placed. The mixture 84 is mixed under heat and pressure and then positioned within extrusion chamber 86 wherein it is extruded through orifice 87 of flow plate 88 and cut by cutter 90 to produce preformed unit 14.

The present invention further provides for an article which is an arts and crafts or decorating project which comprises preformed units of an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient composition that have been adhered to heterologous surfaces by wetting with water and made from a water dispersible starch composition. Examples of articles encompassed by the present invention are designs, words, patterns, two- dimensional models, use in a coloring book wherein the preformed units are adhered to various portions of a pre-drawn design or picture, or any other use imagined by the user. The article can also comprise preformed units molded into a plurality of two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes. The article can further be a target for use in water gun games or activities.

Examples of specific compositions that may be used to manufacture the preformed units are disclosed in U. S. Patent Nos. 5,185,382 and 5,208,267 to Neumann et al and U.S. Patent No. 5,186,990 to Starceviσh. The composition described by Neumann et al is a starch product adapted for use as a packaging filler. The composition is an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient material having a matrix made principally from starch and a binding agent such as polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof. The starch base can comprise a variety of corn or wheat starches, and can further include a bubble nucleating agent to enhance the bulk resiliency properties of the composition. The composition is water soluble and biodegradable. The compositipn is formed by extruding the mixture under high temperature and pressure which is then allowed to expand into the final product.

The composition described by Starcevich is also water soluble and biodegradable. The composition is also an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient material having a matrix made principally from starch and a binding agent such as guar gum. A plurality of grains can serve as the source for the starch, such grains being any of the grains defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Official U.S. Standards for grain, Subpart A, §810.101 et segr. , pages A-1 to A-5 which include barley, corn, oats, and wheat among other grains. The composition is formed by extruding the mixture under high temperature and pressure which is then allowed to expand into the final product.

The abovementioned compositions or any other related composition can be formed into shapes suitable for preformed units by extrusion or injection molding. Examples of related compositions suitable for the preformed units of the present invention are compositions made from starch, starch polymers, starch ethers, starch esters, and mixtures thereof. The starch or starch derivative may be produced from a crop selected from the group consisting of corn, waxy maize, tapioca, potato, wheat, barley, rice, rye, and mixtures thereof. The composition may include a binder selected from the group consisting of polyester resin, polylactic acid resin and mixtures thereof, or from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycol and derivatives thereof. The composition of the present invention may comprise a vegetable flour and any one of the aforementioned binders. The composition may also comprise a synthetic polymer and may include any one of the aforementioned binders.

For extrusion, a typical food extruder 9/67000

-10- apparatus is used. A typical food extruder apparatus comprises a mixing chamber positioned forward at one end of an extrusion chamber which has a flow plate at the other end. Examples of food extruders are known and include food extruders such as the Maddox MX 626, Madox Metal Works, Incorporated, Dallas, TX; Werner & Pfleiderer single and twin screws, Werner & Pfleiderer Corporation, Ramsey, NJ; Anderson single screw, V.D. Anderson, Strongville, OH; and Richheim Baked type, etc., Richheim Company, Lakeville, IN.

To form the preformed units, the starch mixture is placed in a mixing chamber 82 of apparatus 80, where it is mixed under heat and pressure. When the mixture reaches the flow plate 88 it exits through the orifice 87 of flow plate 88. As the mixture exits 88, the composition is cut by cutter 90 into appropriate length units and allowed to expand to its final shape.

The transverse cross-section of the preformed units can be varied by adjusting the size of the orifice of flow plate 88 the mixture is extruded through. A large orifice will produce preformed units with a large transverse cross-section whereas a smaller orifice will produce preformed units with a smaller transverse cross- section. The preformed units can be formed in various lengths by varying the speed of the cutter 90. A rapid rate of cutting will produce short preformed units whereas a slower rate of cutting will produce longer preformed units. The preformed units can be formed in various densities by adjusting the temperature the mixture is heated. At low extrusion temperatures of about 345° F.or less, the preformed units will be less than optimally expanded and therefore dense, and at high extrusion temperatures of about 351° F or greater the preformed units will be very light, but of reduced strength and resilience. The preferred extrusion temperature for forming preformed units is between the range of 345° F and 351° F. Therefore, by varying the temperature of the mixture in the extruder preformed units of many different densities and textures can be manufactured.

The shape of the preformed units is varied by modifying the shape of the orifice 87 of the flow plate 88. For example, an orifice in the shape of a star will cause the preformed units to be formed in the shape of stars after cutting, a square shaped orifice will cause the preformed units to be formed in the shape of cubes after cutting, and a triangular shaped orifice will cause the preformed units to be formed in the shape of triangles after cutting. A preformed unit is produced having a central opening by extruding the mixture through an orifice defined as an opening surrounding a central region. Accordingly, other shapes can be envisioned by modifying the size, shape or structure of the orifice.

Figure 2C is a drawing illustrating an elongated preformed unit 14 which is an example of one of the many shapes preformed units made by apparatus 80. Alternatively, preformed units are formed by injection molding wherein the starch mixture is injected into a mold whereby under heat and pressure the mixture expands and takes the shape of the mold. Injection molds are used to form odd-shaped preformed units or preformed units in the shape of a ball 18, a cone 10, a nose 12 or an ear 16 which are illustrated in figures 2A, 2B, 2D, and 2E, respectively.

While the abovementioned preformed units are preformed either by extrusion or by injection molding, it is also envisioned that the preformed units can be further modified by the user by cutting the preformed units with either a knife, scissors, or other sharp instrument. Alternatively, the surface of the preformed units may be further altered in order to change the texture, appearance, aroma, color, shape or some combination thereof. An example of changing the shape of a preformed unit is wetting the preformed unit with water and molding the preformed unit into a desired shape.

During manufacture, dyes or other coloring agents are added to the mixture to produce preformed units with various colors. Colored preformed units are more interesting to children than uncolored preformed units. Multi-colored or striped preformed units are made by adding the color to the composition as it is extruded from the extruder by positioning color applicators at various positions surrounding the orifice. The preformed units may be colored with luminescence producing agents which after exposure to light will cause the preformed units to glow in the dark. The preformed units may also be colored with fluorescence or phosphorescence producing agents which luminesce when excited by light. Dyes used to color the preformed units are preferably colorings approved for use iri foods. Colors approved for use in foods provide the least risk to children who may ingest the preformed units. Aroma producing agents can also be added to the mixture to form preformed units with specific scents.

The preformed units are used to form a plurality of decorative designs and words which are adhered to a variety of non-similar or heterogeneous surfaces. The variety of decorative designs being limited only by the imagination of the user. In addition, the preformed units have the property of bonding to each other when the contacting surfaces are wet with water. This property allows three-dimensional designs to be constructed.

Further, the preformed units are provided as a kit 20 (Figure 3) . The kit 20 includes a manual 24 with instructions on how to use the preformed units and several examples of projects that can be undertaken with the preformed units. Preferably the kit 20 is in the form of a transparent container 22 such as a transparent flexible bag wherein the colored preformed units (such as preformed units 10, 12, 14, 16, or 18) are visible to the viewer. Other embodiments can be a paper bag, a box or solid enclosure. The kit 20 may also contain a dispenser or applicator such as a sponge (not shown in figure 3) for applying the water to the preformed units. An eyelet 28 is provided for hanging the kit 20 in the store.

To use the preformed units, the units to be adhered to a non-similar surface are wetted with water. The wetted surface is pressed to the non-similar surface to effect a bond between the preformed unit and the non- similar surface. In this manner, decorative designs comprising a plurality of preformed units are constructed. Figure 1 shows a tee shirt 30 decorated with the preformed units 14 and a person's face decorated with the preformed units 14 and 18. Any preformed unit or special preformed units preformed in the shape of a nose 12 or ears 16 (Figure 2) or other body parts can be also be adhered to the skin for amusement. Figure 4 shows the use of the preformed units to "color" a printed line drawing. A coloring book 40 containing pages 42 of printed line drawings 44 is decorated by adhering various colored preformed units 14 to various parts of the line drawing. The coloring book may also be in a "paint-by-number" format. The coloring book may also have blank pages to allow the user to create a "free-form" design. The coloring book may be made of paper, cloth or plastic pages, which may be removed if desired. Alternatively, plastic, cloth or paper either having a printed line drawing or having no drawing may be used.

Figure 5 shows a window frame 50 with one pane 56 decorated with preformed units 18 in a design 52 and another pane decorated with preformed units 18 to create a word 54. The preformed units can be adhered to surfaces comprised of wood, glass, plastic, paper, painted surfaces, metal, pottery, cloth, clothing, or human skin or hair. It is recognized that other surfaces not enumerated herein may be suitable for adhering preformed units. Any of the abovementioned examples may further serve as targets in water gun games or activities. Articles constructed with the preformed units when hit with a stream of water emitted from a water gun disperse. Targets comprising the present invention can be constructed adhered to any surface or be freestanding structures. The targets can further comprise a heterologous, water nondispersible article such as a prize that has been encased with the preformed units. Such a target when hit with water, causes the preformed units to disperse thereby revealing the article that had been encased with the preformed units.

To wet the surfaces of the preformed units to be bonded, the user may use water, which may be applied to the preformed units using an applicator such as a damp cloth or a brush, or fingers wet with water or saliva. Typically, water is made available to the user to bond the preformed units to a heterologous surface or to each other.

An important aspect of the present invention is to provide an applicator or dispenser for providing the water to moisten the preformed units. The applicator can be a sponge or a roller. An applicator enables the amount of water applied to a preformed unit to be controlled. Water is applied by the applicator only in an amount sufficient to moisten the surface of the preformed units which are then pressed to a heterologous surface or together to produce a bond.

The preformed units require very little moisture to effect a bond. Too much moisture causes the preformed unit to begin to dissolve. It is envisioned that a number of materials are suitable for controlling the amount of moisture applied to the preformed units. Figures 6 and 7, and 8 and 9 show preferred applicators for effectively controlling the amount of moisture that is applied to the preformed unit. A first applicator 60 is illustrated in figures 6 and 7 including a container 61 for containing water and a wicking material 66 therein such as a paper towel or sponge which brings water to its surface. Contacting the preformed unit to the wicking material sufficiently moistens the preformed unit to effect a bond. A second applicator 70 is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 including a container 71 with a roller 76 rotatably mounted on an axle 78 in the container. Rotating the roller about the shaft 78 draws forth a controlled amount of water sufficient to moisten the preformed unit. Suitable materials for the roller may are plastic, porclein, wood, or a sponge.

The preformed units and the articles made with the preformed units are safe to the user and are environmentally friendly. Disposal of the preformed units and articles constructed is achieved simply by dissolving the article in water and pouring the dissolved article down the drain. Alternatively, the article is deposited in the trash for disposal at a waste site. In either case, the disposed article poses little threat to the environment. Since the preformed units are made of starch and the binding agents are nontoxic, the preformed units are safe for most children and pose little threat if ingested. Finally, the soft consistency of the preformed units precludes the probability that children will inflict harm on themselves or others if the preformed units or articles made from the preformed units are thrown at each other or used to hit each other.

The present invention discloses a new use for the composition that comprises the preformed units which is to bond the preformed units made from the composition to a plurality of heterologous surfaces when the contacting surface of the preformed unit is moistened 000

-16- with water. The present invention provides a method for amusement which includes but is not limited to decorating a plurality of objects in arts and crafts projects. While the composition comprising the present invention is known in the non-analogous art of packaging fillers and the analogous art of arts and crafts and toys, the method of using the composition to produce preformed units for amusement by the method of the present invention is new. Neither the non-analogous art nor the analogous arts disclose that articles comprising the composition can be bonded to a heterologous surface. Furthermore, in the most closely related example in the analogous art, U. S. Patent No. 5,447,584 to Shakespeare et al. the composition therein is provided to the user in sheets that are cut with a sharp instrument into shapes, the shapes of which can be bonded to each other. In contrast, the method of the present invention provides the composition in a plurality of preformed shapes that can be bonded to a plurality of heterologous surfaces. While the composition comprising the preformed units of the present invention can be bonded to each other, the novel use of the preformed units is bonding the preformed units to a heterologous surface.

It will be appreciated that the abovementioned invention can be embodied in other specific forms and used for a variety of other applications. Therefore, the invention is not limited by the foregoing illustrative examples but is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

E CLAIM:

-1- A method for an amusement activity, the method comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of preformed units comprising an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient composition, wherein the preformed units are adhesive to themselves or to a heterologous surface when wet with water and are comprised of a water dispersible composition;

(b) wetting surfaces of the preformed units to be bonded with water; and

(c) pressing the wetted surfaces of multiple preformed units to the heterologous surface until the preformed units bond to form the amusement activity.

-2- The method of Claim 1 wherein in addition the surface of the amusement activity is altered to change the texture, appearance, aroma, color or some combination thereof.

-3- The method of Claim 1 wherein the water dispersible composition comprises a starch material selected from the group consisting of a starch, a starch ether, a starch ester, a grain flour and mixtures thereof. -4- The method of Claim 3 wherein the starch is produced from a crop selected from the group consisting of corn, waxy maize, tapioca, potato, wheat, barley, rice, rye or other grain flour and mixtures thereof.

-5- The method of Claim 3 wherein the starch contains a binder selected from the group consisting of a polyester resin, a polylactic acid resin and mixtures thereof.

-6- The method of Claim 1 wherein the water dispersible composition comprises a starch material selected from the group comprising starch and modified starch polymers, and a binding agent.

-7- The method of Claim 6 wherein the binding agent is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycol and derivatives thereof admixed with the starch material.

-8- The method of Claim 1 wherein the water dispersible composition comprises a vegetable flour and a binding agent.

-9- The method of Claim 1 wherein the water dispersible composition comprises a synthetic polymer which is water dispersible. -10- The method of Claim 1 wherein the preformed units further include a coloring agent in an amount effective to color the preformed units.

-11- The method of Claim 1 wherein the preformed units further include aroma producing agents.

-12- The method of Claim 1 wherein the preformed units further include luminescence producing agents.

-13- The method of Claim 1 wherein the preformed units further include fluorescence or phosphorescence producing agents.

-14- The method of Claim 1 wherein the preformed units are multicolored.

-15- A kit for forming an amusement activity comprising:

(a) a plurality of preformed units which are an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient composition that are adhesive to heterologous surfaces when wet with water and are made from a water dispersible composition;

(b) a container for the preformed units; and

(c) instructions for forming the activity. -16- The kit of Claim 15 wherein the water dispersible material comprises starch or modified starch polymers.

-17- The kit of Claim 15 wherein the water dispersible composition comprises a starch material selected from the group consisting of starch and modified starch polymers, and a binding agent.

-18- The kit of Claim 17 wherein the binding agent is selected from the group consisting of a polyalkylene glycol and derivative thereof admixed with the starch material.

-19- The kit of Claim 15 wherein the water dispersible composition comprises a vegetable flour and a binding agent.

-20- The kit of Claim 15 wherein the water dispersible composition comprises a synthetic polymer which is water dispersible.

-21- The kit of Claim 15 wherein the preformed units further include a coloring agent in an amount effective to color the preformed units.

-22- The kit of Claim 15 wherein the preformed units further include aroma producing agents. -23- The kit of Claim 15 wherein the preformed units further include luminescence producing agents.

-24- The kit of Claim 15 wherein the preformed units further include fluorescence or phosphorescence producing agents.

-25- The kit of Claim 15 wherein the container is a transparent flexible bag.

-26- The kit of Claim 15 wherein the container is of a material and form as to provide a support to which the preformed units can be adhered.

-27- The kit of Claim 15 wherein the preformed units are multicolored.

-28- The kit of Claim 15 including a dispenser for the water.

-29- The kit of Claim 15 including a sponge for the water. -30- An article which is an amusement activity comprising a plurality of preformed units of an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient composition that have been adhered to a heterologous surface or to themselves by wetting an outside portion with water and wherein the preformed units are made from a water dispersible composition.

-31- The article of Claim 30 wherein the preformed units are multicolored.

-32- The article of Claim 30 wherein the preformed units exhibit an aroma.

-33- The article of Claim 30 wherein the preformed units exhibit luminescence.

-34- The article of Claim 30 wherein the preformed units exhibit fluorescence or phosphorescence.

-35-

A preformed unit for use in amusement activities comprising: an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient composition, wherein the preformed units are adhesive to themselves or to a heterologous surface when wet with water and are comprised of a water dispersible composition and wherein the preformed units are provided in a plurality of colors.