Patents by Inventor John K. Volkert

John K. Volkert has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8047521
    Abstract: A method of making magazine formats in the form of signatures that include a flat 3-D piece that is die-cut from a web on a web press, which produces a plurality of such identical signatures as part of a high speed operation. The flat 3-D piece is located at the upper edge of one sheet and is freed from the remainder of the page on which it is die-cut when the lateral edges of the folded signature are trimmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 7878494
    Abstract: A method of making magazine formats in the form of signatures that include a flat 3-D piece that is die-cut from a web on a web press, which produces a plurality of such identical signatures as part of a high speed operation. The flat 3-D piece is located at the upper edge of one sheet and is freed from the remainder of the page on which it is die-cut when the lateral edges of the folded signature are trimmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 6953513
    Abstract: Methods for making magazines that incorporate pop-up structures formed from two facing pages of the magazine and a strategically placed pop-up piece that is adhesively affixed to both facing pages so as to open into an attention-attracting three-dimensional configuration when the magazine is opened to those two pages. The methods are efficient, economical and well adapted to high speed production using a novel integral continuous strip of pop-up pieces arranged end-to-end, and accordingly, the distribution of magazines incorporating three-dimensional pop-up structures becomes a reality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 6508020
    Abstract: To provide pop-up items a plurality of individual sheet material structures are die-cut in composite sheet material consisting of a front sheet and a rear liner sheet of release-coated material joined together by having a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pattern between the rear surface of the front sheet and the front surface of the rear liner sheet so that, upon separating the sheets, PSA releases from the release-coated rear sheet and adheres to the front sheet in at least desired regions. A folded structure results from the interconnection between panels of the structure constituting a pop-up element in which two individual flag panels are joined together, as by being affixed to each other by PSA. When the pop-up element is placed between a pair of facing panels of a folded basepiece, a PSA-carrying subpanel becomes affixed to facing surfaces of the panels, and upon pivoting of the sheets or panels to the open position, the pop-up element assumes an attention-attracting, 3-dimensional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Papermasters, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Publication number: 20020029499
    Abstract: To provide pop-up items a plurality of individual sheet material structures are die-cut in composite sheet material consisting of a front sheet and a rear liner sheet of release-coated material joined together by having a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pattern between the rear surface of the front sheet and the front surface of the rear liner sheet so that, upon separating the sheets, PSA releases from the release-coated rear sheet and adheres to the front sheet in at least desired regions. A folded structure results from the interconnection between panels of the structure constituting a pop-up element in which two individual flag panels are joined together, as by being affixed to each other by PSA. When the pop-up element is placed between a pair of facing panels of a folded basepiece, a PSA-carrying subpanel becomes affixed to facing surfaces of the panels, and upon pivoting of the sheets or panels to the open position, the pop-up element assumes an attention-attracting, 3-dimensional configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 6336631
    Abstract: An assortment of two-sided puzzles are illustrated which are particularly suitable for use as promotional vehicles, postcards and game or novelty items. One embodiment employs a transparent backing sheet to which a set of puzzle pieces are attached by pressure-sensitive adhesive to one surface which set can be reassembled in a frame region to display a hidden promotional message. A postcard embodiment uses a similar transparent backing sheet to create a novelty piece wherein a plurality of interfitting pieces can be rearranged through the use of pressure-sensitive adhesive backings to either unscramble a message or uncover a scrambled visual pictorial. Another embodiment prints both sides of two sheets that are then laminated together via pressure-sensitive adhesive to create a lamination that contains a pair of puzzles that are solved through the use of a visage that only becomes exposed to view once a set of die-cut puzzle pieces is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 6301813
    Abstract: To provide pop-up items a plurality of individual sheet material structures are die-cut in composite sheet material consisting of a front sheet and a rear liner sheet of release-coated material joined together by having a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pattern between the rear surface of the front sheet and the front surface of the rear liner sheet so that, upon separating the sheets, PSA releases from the release-coated rear sheet and adheres to the front sheet in at least desired regions. Some pop-up structures are formed with small panels carrying PSA hinged about fold lines which panels are rotated 180° to provide forward-facing subpanels having exposed PSA regions in the pop-up element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Papermasters, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 6092317
    Abstract: To provide pop-up items a plurality of individual sheet material structures are die-cut in composite sheet material consisting of a front sheet and a rear liner sheet of release-coated material joined together by having a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pattern between the rear surface of the front sheet and the front surface of the rear liner sheet so that, upon separating the sheets, PSA releases from the release-coated rear sheet and adheres to the front sheet in at least desired regions. Some pop-up structures are formed with two generally symmetrical halves arranged about a fold-line. A folded structure results from the superimposition of one-half of the structure onto the other constituting a pop-up element in which two individual flag panels are joined together, as by being affixed to each other by PSA and in which there are at least two subpanels having exposed PSA-covered surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Papermasters, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 6068903
    Abstract: Pop-up items are provided which can either be mounted in three-dimensional form on a suitable supporting surface by means of pressure-sensitive adhesive carried by the item or can be affixed to facing panels of a letter or pages of a book. Some preferred items include a pop-up element in the form of one or two panels carrying strategically located pressure-sensitive adhesive which permits instant mounting, e.g. between facing panels so that, upon opening, the pop-up element assumes a three-dimensional configuration as a result of the pressure-sensitive adhesive bonding to the surfaces of facing panels or pages. The 3-dimensional pop-up can also be mounted to a suitable supporting surface. A variety of methods for the mass production of such pop-up elements from a continuous web, e.g., a printed and die-cut web from a web press, facilitate their inexpensive fabrication. These pop-up elements are preferably marketed or distributed in groups, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Papermasters, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 5871828
    Abstract: Pop-up items are provided which can either be mounted in three-dimensional form on a suitable supporting surface by means of pressure-sensitive adhesive carried by the item or can be affixed to facing panels of a letter or pages of a book. Some preferred items include a pop-up element in the form of one or two panels carrying strategically located pressure-sensitive adhesive which permits instant mounting, e.g. between facing panels so that, upon opening, the pop-up element assumes a three-dimensional configuration as a result of the pressure-sensitive adhesive bonding to the surfaces of facing panels or pages. The 3-dimensional pop-up can also be mounted to a suitable supporting surface. A variety of methods for the mass production of such pop-up elements from a continuous web, e.g., a printed and die-cut web from a web press, facilitate their inexpensive fabrication. These pop-up elements are preferably marketed or distributed in groups, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Papermaster, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 5687495
    Abstract: Pop-up items are provided in the form of a plurality of individual sheet material structures die-cut in composite sheet material consisting of a front sheet having an overall pressure-sensitive adhesive pattern on the rear surface thereof which causes it to be joined to a rear liner sheet of release-coated material. Each pop-up structure is formed with two generally symmetrical halves arranged about a fold-line, and the folded structure resulting from the superimposition of one-half of the structure onto the other constitutes a pop-up element in which two individual flag panels are joined together, as by being affixed to each other by the pressure-sensitive adhesive and in which there are at least two subpanels having exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive-covered surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Papermasters, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 5582888
    Abstract: Pop-up items are provided which can either be mounted in three-dimensional form on a suitable supporting surface by means of pressure-sensitive adhesive carried by the item or can be affixed to facing panels of a letter or pages of a book. Some preferred items include a pop-up element in the form of one or two panels carrying strategically located pressure-sensitive adhesive which permits instant mounting, e.g. between facing panels so that, upon opening, the pop-up element assumes a three-dimensional configuration as a result of the pressure-sensitive adhesive bonding to the surfaces of facing panels or pages. The 3-dimensional pop-up can also be mounted to a suitable supporting surface. A variety of methods for the mass production of such pop-up elements from a continuous web, e.g., a printed and die-cut web from a web press, facilitate their inexpensive fabrication. These pop-up elements are preferably marketed or distributed in groups, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Papermasters, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 5346455
    Abstract: Pop-up items are provided which can either be mounted in three-dimensional form on a suitable supporting surface by means of pressure-sensitive adhesive carried by the item or can be affixed to facing panels of a letter or pages of a book. The preferred items include a pop-up element in the form of one or two panels carrying strategically located pressure-sensitive adhesive which permits instant mounting, e.g. between facing panels so that, upon opening, the pop-up element assumes a three-dimensional configuration as a result of the pressure-sensitive adhesive bonding to the surfaces of facing panels or pages. The 3-dimensional pop-up can also be mounted to any suitable supporting surface. A variety of methods for the mass production of such pop-up elements from a continuous web, e.g., a printed and die-cut web from a web press, facilitate their inexpensive fabrication. These pop-up elements are preferably marketed or distributed in groups, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Papermasters, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 5181901
    Abstract: Pop-up items are provided which can either be mounted in three-dimensional form on a suitable supporting surface by means of pressure-sensitive adhesive carried by the item or can be affixed to facing panels of a letter or pages of a book. The item may include one or more basepieces plus a pop-up element or a pop-up element alone in the form of one or two panels. When one basepiece is attached, or when mounted between facing panels, upon opening, the pop-up element assumes a three-dimensional configuration as a result of pressure-sensitive adhesive bonding to the surface of a facing panel or page. A variety of methods for the mass production of such pop-up items from a continuous web, e.g., the printed and die-cut web from a web press, facilitate their inexpensive fabrication. These items are preferably marketed or distributed in groups, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Papermasters, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 5078670
    Abstract: Pop-up items are provided which can either be mounted in three-dimensional form on a suitable supporting surface by means of pressure-sensitive adhesive carried by the item or can be affixed to facing panels of a letter or pages of a book. The item may include one or more basepieces plus a pop-up element or a pop-up element alone in the form of one or two panels. When one basepiece is attached, or when mounted between facing panels, upon opening, the pop-up element assumes a three-dimensional configuration as a result of pressure-sensitive adhesive bonding to the surface of a facing panel or page. A variety of methods for the mass production of such pop-up items from a continuous web, e.g., the printed and die-cut web from a web press, facilitate their inexpensive fabrication. These items are preferably marketed or distributed in groups, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: One Up, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 4963125
    Abstract: Promotional pieces including pop-up structures and methods for mass production on a web press or the like are disclosed. After manipulating the web to create a double thickness in a region of two pop-up panels, die-cutting of the double-thickness region creates an identical pattern along edges of these panels which creates a desired artistic effect found earlier in hand-assembled items. These pieces may have a pop-up structure which includes a tunnel-like construction having apertures formed along a hinge line between two panels. Die-cutting may also be performed along both edges of a pair of folded-over pop-up panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: One-Up, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 4874356
    Abstract: An improved method for making promotional pieces wherein a high speed web-press operation results in mass-production of attractive pieces which include three or more interconnected pop-up panels which assume a three-dimensional shape when the outer folder is opened. The preferred method utilizes a plurality of longitudinal slitting and folding steps, together with the application of glue lines in strategic locations, and culminates in the transverse cutting of the continuous moving web to separate each blank in series from the next. A continuous web is preferably longitudinally slit into at least three continuous ribbons which are then manipulated and associated with one another to create an endless series of interconnected pop-up assemblies atop a ribbon consisting of two side-by-side basepieces. In an alternative method, only two ribbons are employed, and pieces having a false backbone are created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: One Up, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 4867480
    Abstract: Promotional pieces in the form of printed items made from paper or other suitable sheet material are designed for mass production of a web press operation. After die-cutting and adhesive application, a printed continuous web is subjected to a series of manipulating steps of folding and/or severing and/or trimming to produce a folded, continuous web that can be transversely severed into a series of identical items, each including a pop-up assembly located between a pair of basepieces arranged in a folder-like construction. Upon the opening of the folder, a pair of pop-up panels interconnected along a central fold line rise from the planes of the respective basepieces carrying along therewith a placard, which may be a coupon or the like, that is prominently displayed in association with one of the pop-up panels in an attention-attracting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: One Up, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 4833802
    Abstract: Methods for making promotional or advertising pieces containing pop-ups on a web-press by initially printing and die-cutting a continuous web of sheet material to produce an endless series of blanks, each extending transversely across the web and being arranged to create an identical piece or folder containing one or more pop-ups. A suitable adhesive pattern is applied to the web, usually closely following the die-cutting operation which cuts at least one tab and, if desired, contours one or more of the pop-up panels. Each blank contains a pair of front and rear basepieces, a pop-up panel and a tab-containing panel, either one or both of which panels includes an actuator section. Either the tab-containing panel or the tab is adhesively affixed to the undersurface of the pop-up panel, and the other is adhesively attached to the interior surface of the rear basepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: One Up, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 4349973
    Abstract: Improved promotional pop-up designs capable of fabrication by mechanical mass production, particularly as a part of a web-press operation. A pair of pop-up elements in the form of two panels which are attached to one another, preferably by adhesive, are interconnected by hinges to basepieces that constitute the halves of a folder. Automatic web-press operation can die-cut hinge elements, either within the basepieces or within the pop-up elements in the moving web. Both pop-up elements may be formed from the sheet material located adjacent one edge of a basepiece, or the pop-up elements may be formed in flanking relation to the basepieces with one pop-up element along each lateral edge of the moving web, or they may alternate across the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: Compak Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ib Penick, John K. Volkert