Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a field of sensory play materials;
Particularly, the present invention focuses on the modified slime composition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Slime has emerged as a popular toy and sensory play material, particularly among children and adolescents. Its unique tactile properties, such as stretchiness and moldability, make it engaging for sensory exploration and creative expression. Traditionally, slime is made from a combination of ingredients such as glue, water, and a slime activator (e.g., borax or liquid starch). However, conventional slime formulations may suffer from certain drawbacks, including instability, undesirable texture, and lack of customization options.
Challenges with Conventional Slime Formulations:
Despite its widespread popularity, traditional slime formulations often exhibit limitations that detract from the overall user experience. These limitations include:
Stability: Traditional slime formulations may degrade over time, leading to changes in texture, consistency, and color. This instability can diminish the longevity and play value of the slime product.
Texture: The texture of traditional slime can vary widely depending on the specific ingredients and proportions used. Some formulations may result in slime that is too sticky, rubbery, or prone to tearing, thereby limiting its sensory appeal.
Customization: Conventional slime recipes typically offer limited opportunities for customization in terms of color, scent, and visual effects. This lack of flexibility may restrict consumer preferences and hinder product differentiation in the marketplace.
Need for Innovation:
In light of these challenges, there exists a need for innovative slime formulations that address the limitations of traditional recipes while offering enhanced stability, texture, and customization options. An modified slime composition and method of preparation would not only enhance the user experience but also broaden the potential applications of slime-based products in various industries, including toy manufacturing, educational resources, and therapeutic interventions.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The primary object is to provide a modified slime composition that overcomes the limitations of conventional slime formulations.
Further object of the present invention is to enhance the sensory experience of slime play by optimizing its texture, stability, visual appeal, and olfactory properties.
Further object of the present invention is to create a versatile and customizable slime product that appeals to a wide range of users, including children, adolescents, educators, and therapists.
Additionally, the invention seeks to broaden the potential applications of slime-based materials in recreational, educational, and therapeutic contexts, thereby enriching sensory play experiences and promoting creativity and exploration;
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present disclosure present technological improvements as solution to one or more of the above-mentioned technical problems recognized by the inventor in conventional practices and existing state of the art.
The present disclosure seeks to provide a modified slime composition designed to achieve superior sensory properties and user engagement.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the composition includes specific proportions of ingredients such as hot water, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), Borax, colorants, glitter powder, glycerin, and soap oil with fragrance. Each component plays a crucial role in enhancing the slime’s texture, stability, visual appeal, and olfactory stimulation.
By leveraging these innovative formulations and methods, the invention offers an immersive sensory experience that captivates users of all ages and finds applications in recreational play, educational activities, and therapeutic interventions.
While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
The objects and the advantages of the invention are achieved by the process elaborated in the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which the disclosed embodiments can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.
The present invention relates to a modified slime composition designed to address the limitations of conventional slime formulations while offering enhanced stability, texture, and customization options. The modified slime composition comprises a carefully balanced combination of ingredients, including hot water, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), Borax, colorants, glitter powder, glycerin, and optionally soap oil with fragrance. Each component plays a crucial role in imparting specific properties to the slime, resulting in a versatile and engaging sensory play material.
The modified slime composition is formulated with specific ingredients to achieve desired sensory properties and user experience. Comprising primarily of hot water, constituting 80-90% of the mixture and heated to 60-70°C (140-158°F), it acts as the fundamental solvent and carrier, ensuring thorough dispersion of other components throughout the slime matrix. Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) constitutes 3-10% of the composition, serving as a crucial thickening and binding agent that imparts elasticity and cohesion to the slime structure. Borax, ranging from 0.062-0.081%, acts as a cross-linking agent, facilitating the formation of polymer chains between PVA molecules and enhancing the slime's mechanical strength and durability.
In addition to these foundational components, the composition includes colorants and glitter powder, each ranging from 0.025-0.030% and 0.020-0.025%, respectively. These additives provide visual appeal and aesthetic customization options, allowing users to create slime with unique visual characteristics and sparkle. Glycerin, ranging from 0.025-0.040%, serves as a humectant and plasticizer, improving the flexibility and softness of the slime while preventing excessive drying and cracking. Finally, fragrance can be incorporated to enhance the olfactory properties of the slime, creating a multisensory experience for the user.
Water serves as the primary solvent and carrier for the other ingredients, ensuring optimal dissolution and dispersion throughout the slime matrix. Its high purity and temperature contribute to the overall stability and consistency of the slime, preventing premature degradation and maintaining desired rheological properties. Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) acts as a thickening and binding agent, imparting elasticity and cohesion to the slime structure. By adjusting the concentration of PVA, the texture and stretchiness of the slime can be finely tuned to meet user preferences.
Borax functions as a cross-linking agent, facilitating the formation of polymer chains between PVA molecules and enhancing the slime’s mechanical strength and durability. Careful control of the Borax concentration ensures proper gelation of the slime without compromising its safety or performance. Colorants and glitter powder are added to the composition to provide visual appeal and aesthetic customization options. Users can choose from a wide range of colors and effects to create slime with unique visual characteristics, stimulating creativity and sensory exploration.
Glycerin serves as a humectant and plasticizer, improving the flexibility and softness of the slime while preventing excessive drying and cracking. Its inclusion enhances the tactile experience of the slime, making it more enjoyable to manipulate and shape. Additionally, soap oil with fragrance can be incorporated into the composition to enhance the olfactory properties of the slime, creating a multisensory experience for the user. A variety of scents and fragrances can be used to evoke different sensory responses and enhance the overall play value of the slime.
The modified slime composition can be enhanced with various antimicrobial agents to ensure prolonged safety and hygiene. For instance, benzalkonium chloride at 0.05% can be used to effectively prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, ensuring the slime remains clean during extended use. Alternatively, silver nanoparticles provide a non-toxic and highly effective antimicrobial solution, while natural agents like tea tree oil add both antimicrobial properties and a pleasant fragrance. Additionally, combining antimicrobial agents with preservatives such as potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate can further extend the slime’s shelf life, making it an ideal choice for environments with multiple users, such as schools and therapy sessions. These embodiments highlight the versatility and enhanced safety of the modified slime composition, catering to diverse user needs and applications.
Preparation Method
The method of preparing the modified slime involves the following steps:
1. Preparation of Hot Water:
- Heat water to 60-70°C (140-158°F) and use 80-90% of the total composition.
2. Addition of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA):
- Add PVA to the hot water and stir continuously for 10-15 minutes at medium speed until fully dissolved and a homogeneous mixture is achieved;
- Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F).
3. Addition of Borax:
- Dissolve borax in a small amount of water (around 1-2% of the total composition);
- Add the borax solution to the cooled PVA mixture and stir continuously for 5-10 minutes at medium to high speed until the slime starts to form and thickens.
4. Addition of Glycerin:
- Add glycerin to the mixture at room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F) and stir for an additional 3-5 minutes at medium speed to ensure even distribution.
5. Addition of Color and Glitter Powder:
- Add color and glitter powder to the mixture at room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F), and stir for 2-3 minutes at low to medium speed until uniformly mixed.
6. Addition of Antimicrobial Agent:
- Add the antimicrobial agent to the mixture at room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F) and stir for 3-5 minutes at medium speed to ensure thorough incorporation.
7. Addition of Fragrance:
- Add fragrance elements (essential oils, fruit extracts, or floral scents) at room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F), and stir for 2-3 minutes at low speed to ensure even distribution.
The mixture can be molded into desired shapes and sizes before cooling and solidification. The resulting slime exhibits enhanced stability, texture, and customization options compared to conventional formulations, making it an attractive choice for consumers seeking high-quality sensory play materials.
The present invention offers a novel approach to slime formulation and preparation, leveraging carefully selected ingredients and methods to achieve superior sensory properties and user experience. With its versatility, stability, and customization options, the modified slime composition has the potential to capture a significant share of the growing market for sensory play materials, spanning educational, recreational, and therapeutic applications.
, Claims:I Claim:
1. A modified slime composition, the said slime composition comprising:
- hot water: 80-90%;
- Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA): 3-10%;
- borax: 0.062-0.081%;
- color: 0.025-0.030%;
- glitter Powder: 0.020-0.025%;
- glycerin: 0.025-0.040%;
characterized by presence of antimicrobial agent (0.01-0.1%) to inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes.
2. The modified slime composition as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is added to the hot water heated to 60-70°C (140-158°F) and stirred continuously for 10-15 minutes at medium speed until fully dissolved and a homogeneous mixture is achieved, and then cooled to room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F) before the addition of borax.
3. The modified slime composition as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the borax is dissolved in a small amount of water (around 1-2% of the total composition) and added to the PVA mixture at room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F), stirred continuously for 5-10 minutes at medium to high speed until the slime starts to form and thickens.
4. The modified slime composition as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the glycerin is added to the mixture at room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F) after the addition of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and borax, and stirred for an additional 3-5 minutes at medium speed to ensure even distribution.
5. The modified slime composition as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the color and glitter powder are added to the mixture at room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F), stirred for 2-3 minutes at low to medium speed until uniformly mixed.
6. The modified slime composition as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the said composition can be added with fragrance element selected from a group consisting of essential oils, fruit extracts, and floral scents, added at room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F), and stirred for 2-3 minutes at low speed to ensure even distribution.
7. The modified slime composition as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising additives selected from a group consisting of preservatives, antimicrobial agents, and texture modifiers.
8. The modified slime composition of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agents are selected from the group consisting of benzalkonium chloride at 0.05%, silver nanoparticles, and natural antimicrobial agents such as tea tree oil, and further comprising preservatives selected from the group consisting of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate to extend the shelf life of the slime.