Multi-purpose ornamental caricature device and method therefor

Abstract

A bow, card, packaging device, shipping or packing bow/card, ornament, invitation, party favor, novelty item, toy, craft item, piece of fine art, brochure or promotional item, etc., which folds into itself from a planar cut and creased or scored sheet of paper or any other foldable/bendable surface creating one unified picture or theme when the extremity panels are folded inward. The basis of the card is a basic shape interior central region with multiple sides such as, but not limited to a triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc. From each flat side of the basic shape interior central region extends panels of same or different shapes and sizes, which are placed along the fold or hinge lines. The demarcation of the interior central region are side edges which are fold lines, perforations, scored, or side edge area of which a panel may be secured in place. Each panel contributes to the picture, shape and nature of the device when folded inward, towards the central interior region. When the panels are folded together along the fold line they combine and may overlap each other varying in degrees of the area overlapping, however overlapping is not necessary. The shape of each panel may vary in size, shape, material, and may not always be flat or whole. When folded into the interior central region with the other panels, they combine to form the shape for caricatures, plants, flowers, animals, objects, themes, etc. A minimum of one panel must fold inward towards the interior central region (either all ready folded or with instructions or implied instructions to fold) where each panel contributes to the form of the card. The panels may connect by themselves, or a device or adhesive may be implemented to augment and facilitate the closure of each panel. To open the device, the closed panels must be lifted up and away from the interior central region for the viewer to see the inside; however the device may remain closed for its usefulness. The method of making the device may include by hand, computer, mechanical or any combination thereof.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority filing date of Provisional Application No. 60/459,709 dated Apr. 2, 2003

REFERENCES CITED

[0002] 1 U.S. Patent Documents 395,953 January 1889 Clark 727,723 May 1903 Webb D60,094 December 1921 Heindl 3,985,285 October 1976 Kitagawa 229/8 4,185,767 January 1980 Sykora 229/39 R 4,201,331 May 1980 Austin 229/140

[0003] Heindl, U.S. Pat No. D60,094, discloses a design for a pinwheel

[0004] Kitagawa, U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,285, discloses collapsible polygonal box which takes little space when collapsed and stored

[0005] Sykora, U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,767, discloses an ornamental package structure which includes a container portion for the product and a closure portion comprising a plurality of top flaps joined to the closure portion along substantially horizontal fold lines.

[0006] Austin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,331, discloses a butterfly carton made from a single blank with an auto-erecting lock bottom, and a re-closeable top portion including an attractive butterfly wing shaped design.

[0007] Still there is a need for an attractive bow, card, packaging device, shipping or packing bow/card, ornament, invitation, party favor, novelty item, toy, craft item, piece of fine art, brochure or promotional item, etc., which creates caricatures of humans, animals, plants, themes, etc by folding the extremity panels of the device inward (in a pinwheel fashion). Each device has an interior central region and panels that extend outward in parallel or non-parallel directions.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0008] I have invented a bow, card, packaging device, shipping or packing bow/card, ornament, invitation, party favor, novelty item, toy, craft item, piece of fine art, brochure or promotional item, etc., that folds inward in a pinwheel fashion and forms the image of a caricature, plant, human, theme, shape, object, etc. The device is a planar cut of paper or other foldable/bendable surfaces, which consists of an interior central region such as but not limited to the basic shape of a triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc. Each interior central region has side edges. Each side edge of the interior central region or “basic shape” is defined by fold lines, perforations, scoring or instructions which are made by hand, mechanical, computerized or any combination thereof. Extending outwardly from the fold lines or side edges of the basic shape interior central region are panels. When some or all of the panels are folded inward on the side edges of the interior central region of the device, they form the image of a caricature, plant, human, theme, shape, object, etc. The panels may close by themselves, or the closure may be augmented by a securing device or adhesive. Additional objects/ornaments may be attached by some form of adhesive or fastening device to form additional parts or to enhance the existing parts, but is not required for the basic form, only an enhancement to the existing form. My invention may be used in place of a bow especially when mailing a package or adorning a gift in the place of a card and/or a bow. My invention is also suitable for a bow, card, packaging device, shipping or packing bow/card, ornament, invitation, party favor, novelty item, toy, craft item, piece of fine art, brochure or promotional item, etc.,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIGS. 1 through 5 are perspective views of an embodiment of my invention during its folding or assembly steps which may be produced by hand, mechanical, computerized or any combination thereof

[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my invention folded up

[0011] FIG. 7 is an unfolded view, die cut silhouette, pattern or template of another embodiment of my invention

[0012] FIG. 8 is a front side, folded view of a decorated embodiment, which has a design and additional paper attached for leaves

[0013] FIG. 9 is the back side view of another embodiment which illustrates a pentagon interior central region and the back side view of FIG. 10

[0014] FIG. 10 is the front side, folded view of a pansy embodiment with a design and writing attached

[0015] FIG. 11 is the back side view of another embodiment which illustrates a square interior central region and the back side view of FIG. 12

[0016] FIG. 12 displays a star shape embodiment

[0017] FIG. 13 displays the pattern, die cut silhouette, template, etc. for a tree and an interior central region of a triangle

[0018] FIG. 14 is the front side, folded view of FIG. 13, which depicts a Christmas tree bow card

[0019] FIG. 15 is the back side view of a cut into pentagon interior central region and includes additional panels or leaves 151,152,153,154 attached with an adhesive

[0020] FIG. 16 displays the front side, folded view of FIG. 15, a cut into pentagon interior central region, which illustrates a poinsettia with the additional leaves attached 161,162,163,164,165

[0021] FIG. 17 is a pattern, die cut silhouette, template, etc. for a star santa which has a pentagon interior central region

[0022] FIG. 18 is the front side, folded up view of FIG. 17 which illustrates a star santa with a string attached to hang as an ornament device

[0023] FIG. 19 displays the back side view of FIG. 18 which displays the panels extending beyond the pentagon central interior region

[0024] FIG. 20 displays a pentagon interior region with panels attached to the interior central region with an adhesive and a string attached for use as an ornament

[0025] FIG. 21 displays a front side, folded view of a face caricature

[0026] FIG. 22 displays a front side view, folded view of a rabbit caricature

[0027] FIG. 23 displays a pattern or die cut silhouette for a cat as shown in FIG. 24 which has a design on both the front side and back side of the panels and two panels do not fold inward

[0028] FIG. 24 is the front side, folded view of FIG. 23

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

[0029] Referring to the Figures, each card's basic shape or interior central region starts with a pentagon in FIGS. 1,2,3,4,5,7,9,17,19,20, triangle FIG. 13, square FIG. 11, hexagon FIG. 23, and a pentagon interior region with cuts into the interior central region FIG. 15, etc. as the center interior region or body of the card. The instructions for folding, fold lines, perforation, scoring which may be produced either by hand, mechanical, computerized or any combination thereof, are on the side edges of the interior basic shape which is the demarcation between the interior central region and the panels extending outward. Extended outward from each side edge of the basic shape or interior central region are panels in FIGS. 1,7,13,17,23. Each panel folds down and inward either in sequential order or randomly. FIGS. 2,3,4,5 are examples of panels folding in sequential order, 241, 242, 244, 245 in FIG. 24 displays random order. 22 in FIG. 2 is an example of the first panel folded down inward, then the second panel 33 in FIG. 3 folds down and inward, the third panel 44 in FIG. 4 folds down and inward, the fourth panel 55 in FIG. 5 folds down and inward and finally the last and final panel 66 in FIG. 6 is fold down, inward and flipped under the first folded outer panel 62 in FIG. 6. The front side of the card FIGS. 6,8,10,12,14,16,18,21,22, 24 show how each panel is folded inward to combine the form of a caricature, animal, plant, object, theme, etc. of the card, and FIGS. 23,24 displays how panels may be folded or unfolded to form the card.

[0030] The back side of the card in FIGS. 9,11,15,19 show the reverse side of the interior central region and portions of the panels extending outward and beyond the side edges of the interior central region.

[0031] Regarding the planar sheet, pattern or die cut silhouettes in FIGS. 1,7,13,17,23, generally any type of paper will do. However, one may also use any other thin piece of material, fiber, plastic, or solid form that will lend itself to the same characteristics as any weight of paper or foldable/bendable surface.

[0032] By the terms interior central region or basic shape, I mean the inside, center portion from the demarcation fold lines from which planar shapes such as but not limited to a pentagon FIGS. 1,7,9,15,17, triangle FIG. 13, square FIG. 11, randomly cut into pentagon FIG. 15, hexagon FIGS. 23,24 are apparent. The demarcation of the interior central region or planar shape from the panels extending outward are illustrated by dashed lines in FIGS. 1,2,3,45,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,20,23,24.

[0033] The side edges of the card is the demarcation area between the interior central region 11 in FIG. 1 and the panels 12,13,14,15,16 in FIG. 1 extending outwardly. The demarcation between the regions may be in the form of a printed fold line, written or verbal instructions, perforations, scored, or the area in which to attach another panel using another substance or object which may be produced by hand, mechanical, computerized or a combination thereof. The side edges represent the hinge or placement of the area to be folded inward. Not all side edges or demarcation lines are required to have a panel attached to it nor is the panel required to be folded inward such as 233, 236 in FIG. 23.

[0034] By the term panels, I mean an appendage or extremity extending outwardly from the interior central region FIGS. 1,7,13,17,23 and placed at the fold or demarcation line. Typically each panel is a continual part of the planar sheet; however, one or more panels may be attached by some form of adhesive or device 151,152,153,154 in FIG. 15, 161,162,163,164,165 in FIG. 16, and 202,203,204,205,206 in FIG. 20. Some panels may be of a different foldable substance from the interior central region. Each panel may be solid, cut out or not whole, folded and a variety of shapes and sizes.

[0035] In my invention, on the other hand, the panel size is generally in the range of 0% to 1000% of the interior central region. For larger sized card items, the panel size % may be in the lower end of the range, and for smaller sized cards, the panel size % may be in the higher end of the range. This way, there is plenty of panel sizes to cover the inner basic shape of the card when folded down and inward to form the shape of a human, animal, plant, object, etc.

[0036] Regarding the human, animal, plant, object, etc. forms. For example, two or three panels would form each side of the face 211, 212,214 in FIG. 21 for a human and 222,224 in FIG. 22 for animal, another panel would fold down and form the chin 213 in FIG. 21 or 223 in FIG. 22, then one or two more panels would form two ears 221,225 in FIG. 22 (for an animal), or the top of a head 215 in FIG. 21 (for a human). In the case of a flower in FIG. 10 (plant) each panel folds to create a petal 101,102,103,104,105. In the case of a shape FIG. 12, each panel combines to form the appearance of a star 121,122,123,124 and 141,142,143 in FIG. 14 depicts an object a tree.

[0037] By the term additional ornaments attached, I mean printing or painting as in FIGS. 8,10,12,14,16,17,18,21,22,23,24, additional layers of paper 83,87 in FIG. 8, a string for an ornament 186 in FIG. 18 and 207 in FIG. 20, ribbon for a bow card 144 in FIG. 14, stickers, glitter, or objects may be attached to the existing card shape. As in FIGS. 15,16, additional leaves 151,152,153 in FIG. 15 and 161,162,163,164,165 in FIG. 16 are glued to the underside of the petals. Additional ornaments enhance and decorate the object, but may also be an integral part of the card.

[0038] Regarding the adhesive back side of the card. Components such as a double sided sticker, stapled sticker, sticky pad, magnet, elastic, ribbon, string, or any other object which would secure the card to a package, gift or other object would do. Additional ornaments such as glitter, lace, beads, etc. may also be added, but is optional.

[0039] To make or manufacture my invention, each device will be produced from a planar sheet of paper, material or any other foldable/bendable surface either by hand, mechanical, computerized or any combination thereof. Each planar sheet will have a basic pattern FIGS. 1,7,13,17,23. From each basic pattern one may cut out the pattern piece using scissors, craft cutting devices, perforated edges or for large manufactured processes, each pattern will have a die fabricated to die cut the pattern to produce the device. Some manufactured processes may wish to enclose instructions for the fold lines, score, perforate, or print the fold lines where each crease or hinge is placed to facilitate the folding of each panel. Other manufactured processed may include a mechanical or computerized device to assist in the design, assembly and fabrication of this device. Each planar sheet will be plain or solid in color, while others will have color attached to the planar sheet prior to die cutting the device. Some devices may be sold plain or solid with no designs attached as craft items, ready for the design to be added by the consumer. Other devices may be purchased with the design and ornaments all ready attached for the consumer to further the visualization of the form.

[0040] After the planar sheet is processed with the basic ornamental design (if any) and die cut, then another alternative is to add additional enhancements to the device such as glitter, stickers, extra leaves, fringes, etc.

[0041] A greeting may be added to the front as in FIG. 10 and inside, or additional graphics on the inside of the device and inside of the panels 231,232,234,235 in FIG. 23.

[0042] Devices may be die cut and scored ready for the consumer to apply the ornamental design on each panel, or already made with ornamental drawings on each panel, adding definition, style and color to the device.

[0043] Patterns as in FIGS. 1,7,13,17,23 and instructions to make the devices may also be available for the consumer.

[0044] While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the foregoing description and claims.

Claims

1. A bow, card, packaging device, shipping or packing bow/card, ornament, invitation, party favor, novelty item, toy, craft item, piece of fine art, brochure or promotional item, etc., comprising of:

A planar sheet of paper or other foldable/bendable surfaces, which has an interior basic shape or central region with side edges; fold lines, perforations, scoring and/or enclosed instructions are the demarcation of the side edges; from the side edges of the basic shape or central region extend panels of same or different material; some or all panels fold in towards the central region; when the panels are combined or assembled together a caricature, plant, human, theme, shape, object, etc. is formed; one, few or all sides of the panels may contribute to the formation of the shape.

a single sheet of paper or foldable/bendable material, which is cut and scored with each panel of paper ready to fold, or already folded to form the unified caricature, plant, human, theme, shape, object, etc

when the device is folded and flipped over to the reverse side, the interior central region is apparent

each panel works together to form the caricature or theme of the card

each panel, when combined together will cover the interior central region and may fasten in front of the device by themselves, or by using another securing device or adhesive, creating a unified caricature, plant, human, theme, shape, object, etc

methods of making the device include by hand, mechanical, computerized or any combination thereof.

2. a single sheet of paper or foldable/bendable material, which has the pattern, template, instructions or means to make the form as in claim 1

3. paper or foldable/bendable material pre-folded with a design and/or letters, numbers, and/or words attached as in claim 1

4. paper or foldable/bendable material pre-folded with additional ornaments attached to enhance the affect of the card such as (but not limited to) stickers, glitter, additional paper, lace, protective coating, etc. as in claim 1 and/or claim 3

5. a craft item package with instructions as in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, and/or claim 4

6. a device with an adhesive back side, such as but not limited to a sticky pad, magnet, elastic band, glue, tape, ribbon, or string as in claim 1, claim 3, claim 4, and/or claim 5

7. a device which is attached or a part of other objects for added decoration or usefulness such as but not limited to an envelope, box, bag, wrapping paper, card, other packaging or promotional samples as in claim 1, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, and/or claim 6

8. a device displayed as fine art as in claim 1, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6 and/or claim 7

9. a device which is placed in a clear pouch and secured (or with instructions to secure) to the outside of a gift or package as in claim 1, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6 and/or claim 7

the clear pouch may have additional designs or writing such as “packing bow enclosed” or “shipping bow enclosed” printed on or in the clear pouch

10. a gift wrap item/package with instructions or implied instructions for use as in claim 1, claim 3, claim 4, claim 6, claim 7 and/or claim 9