Abstract: A cover assembly for a vehicle airbag containing decorative material. The cover assembly includes a resilient polymeric cover and an insert is located on the upper surface of the cover. The outer peripheral portion of the insert is imbedded in the cover while the central portion of the insert which bears the decorative material is exposed. The peripheral portion of the insert includes at least one opening and the polymeric material of the cover is disposed in the opening to mechanically interlock the insert to the cover. The cover is designed to split along a line of weakness on the deployment of the airbag and the line is located so that the insert is positioned wholly within one of the split cover sections.

Abstract: A thermoforming method and apparatus is provided for a flat thin sheet plastic substrate having printed material thereon in the form of a matrix of a plurality of items. The substrate is clamped between a pair of clamp plates providing support for the substrate around the perimeter thereof and also in a matrix support pattern having a plurality of subperimeters providing individual support around the respective perimeter of each item. The assembly is heated, and then thermoformed into a contoured three dimensional workpiece by pushing a matrix of a plurality of tool faces into the substrate at respective items. The matrix support pattern of the clamp plates along the plurality of subperimeters prevents sagging across the substrate during heating, and isolates the items from each other during deformation of the substrate by the tool faces.

Abstract: A construction toy includes a plurality of rigid die-cut laminated plastic modular cards having a plurality of sides. A first side of a first card has a plurality of cuts opposite and complementary to respective cuts of a first side of a second card, such that the cards may be assembled by interfacing sides in mating relation. The side of a card extends along an axis and is defined by a varying height profile formed by inner and outer lands, an outer land being along the outer edge of the side, and an inner land being recessed inwardly therefrom. The cards have a first assembled condition with coincident axes providing two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures. A slit in the side enables a third assembled condition with noncoincident axes.

Abstract: A punch button (32) has a central disc (36) integral with and separable from an outer peripheral annular ring (38). The disc and ring are joined by a breakaway portion (40) of reduced thickness. A pair of peel points or pilot cuts (50 and 52) may be provided on distally opposite sides of the disc, and if so, the disc is initially separable from the ring at the peel points and then rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to an axis through the distally opposite pilot cuts. The punch button is formed by providing a strip of material of a first thickness, placing the strip in a die, performing an inner cut with the die and partially cutting through the strip to yield first and second subpieces joined to each other by material of a second reduced thickness, and performing an outer cut with the die and cutting all the way through the strip to yield a piece composed of the first and second subpieces providing the disc and ring.

Abstract: An article, and method for making the same, including a film of reflective material, a textured pattern associated with the one surface of the film such that the film substantially conforms to the textured pattern, and an ink design forming an image associated with the other surface of the film.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying removable indicia, the apparatus including a base sheet having an outwardly facing surface which is operable to support individual removable indicia; a substantially transparent cover sheet which is borne by the base sheet, and which is operable to substantially fix the indicia in a predetermined position thereon; and a zone of adhesive which is deposited in a predetermined pattern on one of the two sheets and which releasably affixes the base sheet and the transparent sheet together. During use, the transparent sheet is separated in spaced relation from the base sheet to permit the placement of the indicia in respective predetermined positions on the base sheet, after which, the transparent sheet is then pressed into adhesive engagement with the base sheet to releasably seal and fix the position of the indicia thereon.

Abstract: A protective cover and display device for a checkout countertop having a code scanner includes a sheet of material adapted to cover the scanner opening and adjacent portions of the countertop. The sheet includes a transparent window in the portion overlying the scanner opening and visually perceptible indicia, such as advertising copy, on the portion of the sheet surrounding the opening. In addition to providing advertising which is highly visible and disposed in a high traffic area, the sheet covers and protects the scanner opening which is typically a repository for the accumulation of dirt, food particles, and other foreign materials.