Action figures and building blocks

Abstract

One or more implementations can include action figures comprised of biodegradable materials, such as wood or bamboo. The action figures can include an internal connector system that enables components of the action figures, such as arm members, leg members, torso members, and head members to have a range of motion and perform a number of movements. Additionally, building blocks are described herein that are painted and comprised of biodegradable materials. The building blocks including coupling regions that enable multiple building blocks to be coupled together and/or to be coupled to one or more action figures. Processes are described herein for making painted building blocks comprised of biodegradable materials.

1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A building block including:
 a body comprised of a biodegradable material and the body including:
 a top surface having a plurality of coupling regions disposed on the top surface; 
 a plurality of side surfaces; 
 a bottom surface; and 
 a plurality of cavities disposed within the body; 
   wherein paint is disposed on the top surface, the plurality of side surfaces, and a portion of the bottom surface and an additional portion of the bottom surface is free of paint, the additional portion of the bottom surface corresponding to interior regions of the plurality of cavities.   
     
     
         9 . The building block of  claim 8 , wherein the biodegradable material comprises a wood material or bamboo. 
     
     
         10 . The building block of  claim 8 , wherein the paint is a water-based paint. 
     
     
         11 . A process comprising:
 performing a first cutting process to produce a partially-formed building block having a solid body with a number of coupling regions located on a top surface of the partially-formed building block;   applying paint to the partially-formed building block to produce a painted partially-formed building block;   performing a drying process with respect to the painted partially-formed building block; and   performing a second cutting process on a bottom surface of the painted partially-formed building block to produce a fully-formed building block having one or more cavities within the body.   
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11 , comprising applying an oil to a top surface and the number of coupling regions of the partially-formed building block. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12 , comprising applying the oil to the top surface and the number of coupling regions of the fully-formed building block. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the first cutting process and the second cutting process are performed using a computer numerical control (CNC) wood cutting machine. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the drying process is performed at temperatures from about 60° C. to about 90° C. for a duration from about 36 hours to about 120 hours. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein:
 paint is disposed on a top surface of the fully-formed building block, a plurality of side surfaces of the fully-formed building block, and a portion of a bottom surface of the fully-formed building block; and   an additional portion of the bottom surface is free of paint, the additional portion of the bottom surface corresponding to interior regions of a plurality of cavities of the fully-formed building block.   
     
     
         17 . The building block of  claim 8 , wherein the body has a height from the top surface to the bottom surface from about 0.5 centimeters to about 3 centimeters. 
     
     
         18 . The building block of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of cavities each have a height from about 0.2 centimeters to about 2 centimeters. 
     
     
         19 . The building block of  claim 8 , wherein a ratio of a height of the body to a height of the plurality of cavities is no greater than 0.8, the height of the body being measured from the top surface to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         20 . The building block of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of cavities include a first cavity and a second cavity disposed within the first cavity, the first cavity having a rectangular shape and the second cavity having a circular shape. 
     
     
         21 . The building block of  claim 20 , wherein the first cavity has a length from about 1 centimeter to about 3 centimeters and the second cavity has a diameter from about 0.5 centimeters to about 1.5 centimeters. 
     
     
         22 . The building block of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the bottom surface includes:
 a first boundary region that is disposed around the first cavity; and 
 a second boundary region that is within the first cavity and disposed around the second cavity; and 
   the first boundary region and the second boundary region are painted.   
     
     
         23 . The building block of  claim 8 , wherein the body includes an attachment mechanism configured to couple the body to at least one of a necklace, an anklet, a keychain, or an earring. 
     
     
         24 . The building block of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of coupling regions each include a recessed region. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein paint is applied to the partially-formed building block using a spraying process. 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 13 , comprising:
 performing a curing process after the oil is applied to the top surface and the number of coupling regions of the partially-formed building block, wherein the curing process is performed at temperatures from about 65° C. to about 80° C. for a duration from about 24 hours to about 48 hours; and   performing an additional curing process after the oil is applied to the fully-formed building block, wherein the additional curing process is performed at temperatures from about 65° C. to about 80° C. for a duration from about 24 hours to about 48 hours.   
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 26 , wherein the oil is a hemp-based oil.