Abstract: The present invention relates to an article (C) configured for reproducing a predetermined image with three-dimensional effect. Said article (C) comprising a succession of sheets (1,2,3) and said succession of sheets (1,2,3) comprising at least a first sheet (1) having a first surface (1A) on which a first part (11) of said predetermined image is shown, and a second surface (1B), opposite to said first surface (1A), as well as a second sheet (2) having a first surface (2A), on which a second part (12) of said predetermined image is shown, and a second surface (2B), opposite to said first surface (2A), where said second part (12) of said predetermined image comprising a first portion (12A) showing a first image reproducing said first part (11) of said predetermined image in shadow, and a second portion (12B) showing a second image, different from said first image.

Abstract: A fusible toy bead includes a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of displaying an artwork, comprising the steps of: i) providing a complete image, a first substrate, and a second substrate; ii) dividing the complete image into a first image segment and at least one subsequent image segment; iii) imposing the first image segment on the first substrate; iv) imposing the at least one subsequent image segment on the second substrate; and v) positioning the first substrate parallel to the second substrate such that the complete image is revealed with a perception of depth when the first substrate and the second substrate are viewed from a predetermined angle.

Abstract: Kits for creating optical art come with precut cellophane and/or adhesive tape and instructions for folding the cellophane into origami structures having desired optical qualities and/or applying the adhesive tape in a layered fashion to achieve desired optical properties. Adhesive tape or cellophane cut into specific decorative shapes is provided on a tape roll or sheet for easily peeling it off and applying it to create optical art. Tools are provided for cutting, punching out, or otherwise shaping provided cellophane and/or tape. Instruments such as polarizing films, light sources, and/or polarizing glasses are provided for viewing the optical art under polarized light. These instruments may include toy polariscopes, particularly having an ergonomic design. Diffusion lenses are provided to enhance the viewing experience. Photoelastic models and puppets may also be provided.

Abstract: A hooded blanket and stuffed toy combination device that includes a blanket having a perimeter defining an area, a hood attached to the perimeter and positioned externally to the area, and an ornamental surface comprising an outer surface of the hood, wherein the hood comprises an outer shell and an interior volume whereby the blanket is stored within the interior volume of the hood to provide a stuffed toy.

Abstract: A device to three-dimensionally display colors of a color model is provided. The device includes a plurality of interconnected top panels. The top panels are arranged in a circle about a central axis to display primary, secondary and tertiary colors of the color model in a predetermined spatial relationship at the top surface of the device. The device further includes a plurality of interconnected side and bottom panels. Left and right surfaces of the side panels, the lower surfaces of the top panels and the upper surfaces of the bottom panels form the side surfaces of the device and display the primary, secondary and tertiary colors of the color model at the side surfaces.

Abstract: A carton assembled from semi-rigid material presents a sports car configuration and is formed from a sheet of the semi-rigid material that presents a base panel having spaced, opposed lateral edges presenting fold lines from which side panels are folded upwardly to present the sides of the sports car body. Each of the side panels has replicas of a front and a rear wheel to support the sports car on an underlying surface. The hood of the sports car extends downwardly and inwardly, and a rear panel folds downwardly to present the rear end of the sports car body thereby providing an assembled carton having the sports car configuration.

Abstract: An arch type play structure may be formed of a single large sheet of e.g. cardboard, which can be folded to flat form for storage, or which may be folded in such a way that parts of it form a box-like structure containing other parts of it. The arch may be decorated e.g. to represent a fireplace (5) or gate.

Abstract: A collapsible toy kitchen apparatus and method, an embodiment including a back support including a backsplash, a kitchen counter including a countertop and a range and being pivotably connected to the back support, a base pivotably connected to the back support, and two side walls that are each foldable. The pivotable connections and foldable side walls allow the toy kitchen to collapse, such as for storage.

Abstract: In its simplest form, the invention is an array of 10 triangles arranged in a specific pattern. When arranged in this pattern, these triangles interact in a unique way, such that a new useful three-dimensional shape emerges. When this pattern of triangles is applied to any flat material, either through folding, impressing, affixation of hinges, or some other method, the formerly flat material can be manipulated to become a durable, three-dimensional hinged appendage.

Abstract: A container for food or other items of interest has a bus-like configuration provided by semi-rigid material having fold lines defining front, rear and sides formed upon assembly of the carton to present a bus-like configuration to maximize the space for holding food or other items of interest and also provide an external display surface for decorative and advertising material.

Abstract: An interactive greeting card operative to move between a first position wherein several interconnected panels are folded into a substantially flat position and a second position wherein the several interconnected panels are unfolded into a three-dimensional pop-up structure. Movement between the first and second positions may also control playback of digital audio, activation of one or more LED lights, or various other special effects. An inner sentiment panel is substantially contained within an outer greeting card body and is revealed when the greeting card is moved from the first to the second position. Various openings on the greeting card panels accommodate movement and visibility of the inner sentiment panel.

Abstract: A method of designing handmade paper crafts is disclosed. The method includes accessing a server from a client and selecting a three-dimensional view of a paper craft from a database in the server. The server computes a two-dimensional view of the paper craft according to the three-dimensional view of the paper craft. The two-dimensional view of the paper craft is capable of being made to form the three-dimensional view of the paper craft. In the two-dimensional view of the paper craft, a dotted line indicates a to be cut line and a solid line indicates a to be fold line. The client adds pictures or words on the two-dimensional view of the paper craft to create a modified two-dimensional view of the paper craft, and stores the modified two-dimensional view back in the server.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to apparatuses and methods for forming a fabric blanket having a plurality of reinforced panels into a box. In one embodiment, the fabric blanket includes, when oriented upon a substantially horizontal plane, fifteen panels arranged into three rows in which five panels constitute a first row, five panels constitute a second row, and five panels constitute a third row, and in which seven reinforced panels of the fabric blanket correspond to a box bottom, an interior box top, an exterior box top, a first box end, a second box end, a first box side, and a second box side, when each is respectively oriented into a three dimensional shape to form the box. The remaining eight of the fifteen panels each correspond to a foldable panel of the fabric blanket.

Abstract: A paper doll in which a trunk portion is hollow and disposed with its axial line directed in a longitudinal direction. Right and left shoulder joint members each formed in an approximately U-shape are rotatably coupled with the trunk portion by a first metal coupling passing through the trunk portion and the intermediate wall portions of the shoulder joint members. The base end portion of each of hollow upper arm members is held between a pair of side wall portions of the shoulder joint member and the upper arm members are rotatably coupled with the shoulder joint members by a second metal coupling passing through the side wall portions and the upper arm members, and femoral members each formed to be hollow are rotatably abutted against the trunk portion through the portions where the femoral members are abutted against sides of the trunk portion by a third metal coupling.

Abstract: A food container has an airplane configuration provided by a cardboard-like sheet having a plurality of spaced fold lines defining a number of panels that are folded along the lines and assembled to provide an airplane-like body having food compartments therein. The panels that extend to the tail of the fuselage are especially configured to provide a unitary tail fin and associated stabilizer that present the tail configuration.

Abstract: A method of involving the erection of foldable flat blanks to construct tubes of predetermined configurations for assembly in combination to form respective mannequin devices to, when draped with a selected cover, simulate furniture to stage a property. The device of the present invention includes one or more blanks in the form of flatten tubes, erected into tubular components and assembled together to simulate the shape of furniture pieces and which may be draped with a fitted cover to mock the desired furniture piece.

Abstract: A collapsible structure having walls and hinges, the walls being foldable to reduce the volume of the collapsible structure via hinges separated by a distance to form pockets which receive therein the thickness of one or more collapsed walls.

Abstract: A method of forming a container for food or other items having a model vehicle configuration is provided that accurately depicts the contours and dimensions of the vehicle to enhance its appeal. An elongated, cardboard-like sheet is presented that is die cut to fold into a three dimensional model of the vehicle. The sheet's first end is folded along a first pair of transverse fold lines and secured in a position to present an open cabin, rear deck and tail of the vehicle, whereby the open cabin may provide the container for food and other items. The sheet's central portion is folded upwardly along a pair of longitudinal fold lines to present the sides of the vehicle, and the second end portion is folded along a second pair of transverse fold lines and secured in position to present the hood and front windshield of the vehicle.

Abstract: A stage and origami assembly provides at least one origami object and a stage assembly upon which the origami object is connectable. The stage assembly includes a base tray and a stage insert removably insertable therein. The stage insert provides a stage surface having an origami object slit into which an origami object tab of the origami object can be inserted to connect the origami object. The stage assembly may also have a rear wall and backdrop section, both releasably connectable to the base tray and storable therein when disconnected therefrom. An upper floor insert, connectable to the rear wall and backdrop section and storable in the base tray, provides further origami object slits for the origami objects.

Abstract: A card-like apparatus may be used as a card, a bow, a decoration, or other item, and is preferably made from a single sheet having an interior central region in the shape of a regular polygon defined by fold lines between the central region and a plurality of extremity panels. The panels fold across and beyond the central region, forming an outer perimeter that represents a flower, plant, holiday novelty, animal, person, or other object or living thing. Decoration such as paint, print, artwork, or a portion of a picture may be added to the panels so that the folded panels further represent the object or living thing. Methods have been developed to dissect a whole picture and then to lay or copy sectors of the picture onto distal portions of the panels, so that upon folding of the panels, the distal portions are visible, over and beyond the central region, in positions wherein the picture comes together again as a whole.

Abstract: An educational toy designed to be folded, stretched and manipulated into a variety of shapes and designs as hats and the like, said toy comprising a composite polymer foam torus having an outer diameter of approximately 18 inches, an inner diameter of approximately 4.75 inches and a thickness of approximately 0.375 inch.

Abstract: A method of photo display comprises electronically selecting at least one photo from a memory and electronically arranging at least one electronic photo sheet template, including arranging the at least one photo on the template, into a manipulable configuration for producing a three-dimensional photo display.

Abstract: A safety device comprising a housing, an extendable tube located in the housing, and a light source for illuminating the extendable tube. The extendable tube is translucent and may be extended from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: By providing a pre-printed housing member which automatically expands from a flat, generally two-dimensional configuration into a three-dimensional promotional display and also incorporating a sound generator which is activated simultaneously with the movement of the display member from its substantially flat, planar configuration into its three-dimensional configuration, a unique, hands-on, printed, visually exciting and interest-generating, advertising/promotional product is obtained. In the preferred embodiment, an audio producing circuit is automatically activated simultaneously with the automatic movement of the display member from its two-dimensional configuration into its three-dimensional configuration. In this way, a visually exciting, interest generating, multi-sense impacting, advertising/promotional display member is realized.

Abstract: Provided may be a wind propelled rolling vehicle with a self-adjusting sail that may be substantially formed in a relatively small, single sheet of material, or assembled onto a standard chassis. The exemplary embodiments may utilize bushings to spread dynamic loads so as to allow the use of very light structural material such as thin sheet foam thereby forming a safe, low-mass toy vehicle capable of achieving good acceleration and rolling speed relative to a given wind force, and configurable into many themes.

Abstract: Improved reversibly expandable structures are formed from novel loop assemblies comprising a plurality of links, each of said links having at least one center pivot joint and a plurality of end pivot joints, each of at least two of said plurality of end pivot joints proximate to the outer edge of said loop assembly and connected to another link; each of said plurality of links being connected to another one of said plurality of links by at least two end pivot joints thereby forming a link pair, said loop assembly comprising at least three link pairs, each of said at least three link pairs connected to at least two other link pairs through at least one of said end pivot joints; each of said at least three link pairs connected to a central piece that is central to the loop assembly, said central piece being rotatable around a central axis, wherein the rotation of the central piece reversibly expands said loop assembly.

Abstract: A geometric craft and educational kit having a punch-out sheet that has cut therein a plurality of faces. Each face is comprised of a plurality of rhombi having two opposite ends, a first end and a second end. The rhombic first ends are connected upon the face. The rhombic second ends are connected to adjacent rhombic second ends upon adjacent faces.

Abstract: A transportable play design assembly with an open operative position, an alternative closed position and which may be folded to enclose play items therebetween when play time is concluded. The open operative position is utilized as a play surface. The alternative closed position is utilized as a transporting and storage device for play items. The alternative closed position further has a closing mechanism to prevent the play items from falling out of the assembly during transportation.

Abstract: A safety spinning top is formed by stamping on a rigid and flexible round card to produce two diametrically opposite strips that could be upward bent at inner ends and then engaged with each other to provide a revolving shaft, and a conic member located between and perpendicular to the two strips and adapted to downward bent to provide a supporting and revolving center below the round card. A player may pinch at the revolving shaft and apply a twisting force to eject the spinning top, so that the spinning top spins about the pointed end of the conic member. The spinning top does not include any separate small parts that tend to be wrongly swallowed by small children, and is therefore safe for play.

Abstract: A blind for use by hunters, bird watchers, field observers and the like has at least three upstanding walls, a top cover and a bottom pan where at least one of the walls has an opening for ingress and egress and at least one of the walls has an openable and closeable window.

Abstract: An elongated portable structure for use as a tent or the like, having at least one end panel. The end panel has a sheet of substantially non-stretchable flexible fabric material disposed in a generally upright orientation. Two hoops of flexible, resilient, strip material are attached to the sheet. The sheet has portions in the spaces within the hoops to maintain the hoops taut and to resist collapse or distortion of the hoops. A flexible fabric cover extends from the end panel to provide shelter for a person occupying the structure. The hoops are capable of being twisted into a flat coil of reduced diameter for storage. The structure may have a second end panel with hoops, similar to the first end panel.

Abstract: A collapsible three-dimensional construction in the form of a cube is described. The construction is formed of paperboard, pasteboard, cardboard plastic or similar material. The cube may be formed from a single sheet of die-cut material. Four of the faces of the cube include perforation lines to allow the cube to be collapsed into a flattened cube when twisted about a central axis in a first direction. Two elastic members are attached to tensioning members inside of the cube and serve to hold the cube in an erected position when twisted in a second, opposite direction. The assembly of the cube from the blank requires only a single fastening of one portion of the construction to another. The surfaces of the cube may be easily printed with advertising or promotional material.

Abstract: A built-up toy ejector includes an ejector and a model car assembled from a plurality of flat parts. The model car has a rear contact end adapted to locate in a front end of the ejector. The ejector includes parts forming an ejecting plate and an ejecting control. The ejecting plate could be compressed to position a front end thereof in a retaining location, and the ejecting control could be operated to release the front end of the ejecting plate from the retaining location to eject the model car in front of the ejector. The flat parts for building up the ejector and the model car are initially formed on one or more boards that occupy very small space and enable the built-up toy ejector before assembling to display alone or along with other merchandise.

Abstract: A three-dimensional built-up toy with freely connectable bases mainly includes at least one base in the form of a flat piece having a plurality of insertion slots formed thereon, and at least one figure and a plurality of matching decorations formed on and removable from the at least one base. The at least one figure and the plurality of matching decorations are integrally provided at lower ends with connecting sections adapted to insert into any of the insertion slots on the at least one base to hold the figure and the decorations to the at least one base in an upright position. The at least one base is provided along peripheral edges with coupling means. Two or more of the bases could be connected together to provide a large flat plane by engaging the coupling means on different bases with one another.

Abstract: A fan novelty device having a removable fan-like structure formed of a strip of pliable material having an accordion folding and a head gear. The fan-like structure is removably attached to a flexible base that conforms to a wearer's head. The base is removably attached to a head gear such as a head band, hair clips, barrettes, hair combs, etc.

Abstract: A bandanna is provided with a graphics display area defined on at least one side of the bandanna. The graphics display area is defined on each side by a first and second guideline that extend the length of the bandanna. The first and second guidelines are joined together at a terminal end by a third guideline. The bandanna is initially folded along a center folding line, wherein the graphics display area is substantially centered and adjacent to the center folding line. Next, the bandanna is repeatedly folded and wrapped in a manner that creates successive folding lines each substantially parallel to the center folding line. The folding and wrapping continues until one of the folding lines reaches the third guideline. A tip portion is folded about the third guideline thereby creating a pocket. Then, each side of the bandanna is repeatedly folded and stacked about the first and second guidelines, first one side and then the other.

Abstract: An improved folding fortune telling toy that is made to be held in the hands of a player for manipulation into specific positions. The toy is comprised of a body portion formed by folding and reinforcing a sheet of flexible material. The body is comprised of an inner surface and an outer surface. When folded and reinforced in the specified format, flexible outer flaps are integrally formed and allow the players fingers and thumb to slide under said flaps to manipulate the body portion between specific positions. The folding of the sheet also produces a plurality of flexible inner flaps that are integrally formed with the body portion and hingeably secured thereto and adapted to be disposed in a closed position in overlapping relationship with the body portion to an open position extending upwardly from the body portion, with each inner flap having a viewable outer surface marked with indicia and an inner surface.

Abstract: An interactive development environment for design and placement of tiered geometrical objects, such as objects used in pop-up card designs. Relations between objects are represented mathematically, allowing computerized modeling and enforcement of design constraints. For example, in the context of pop-up cards, a card that cannot close will not be allowed. A dependency hierarchy is used to track different objects of a card. Card objects are instantiated as related to other card objects so that changes to one card object can be appropriately propagated to related objects. If all card objects are defined with respect to a base card, an entire card design can be animated by only adjusting, e.g., “opening” and “closing,” the base card. A graphical interface provides drag-and-drop and manual forms of placing card parts. For drag-and-drop, design constraints can be used to automatically determine proper positioning of card pieces.

Abstract: A construction diagram affixed to a construction paper, for constructing a three-dimensional figure out of paper, or out of any other printable foldable surface, according to the principles of origami and papercraft. The construction diagram includes an image matrix and fold lines. The image matrix indicates what areas of the paper will be visible when the three-dimensional figure is constructed according to the construction diagram and the principles of origami, and the fold lines indicate how to fold the paper. Some of the fold lines may be truncated, depending on the shape of the paper used, compared to how long the fold lines would be if the paper were of a standard shape for the particular three-dimensional figure to be constructed. The result is a three-dimensional figure that is as large as could be constructed from the paper used.

Abstract: A display apparatus has a stationary base, a floating display member secured to the base by a first cord, and a balloon secured to the floating member by a second cord. The balloon is inflated with a gas which is lighter than air, and rises upwardly to suspend the floating member at a location spaced above the base member.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object and method of use is described, such object appearing inverted when viewed by a single eye of a human subject at a selected angle, the three-dimensional object comprising at least one sheet having at least two selected edges, a contoured edge and a surface on which a two-dimensional pattern is formed, at least two of the selected edges of the sheet being attached to each other at an angle of greater than about 25 degrees such that a composite three-dimensional object having at least three interior surfaces and a contoured edge is formed therefrom. The three-dimensional object can further include indicium extending along a portion or all of intersection and fold lines that result when such objects are formed. The interior surfaces can further include patterns, indicia, features and protruding edges.

Abstract: This invention relates to the technical field of culinary arts. It includes an amusing way of presenting a novelty item such as a figurine or other promotional or warning message during the heating of a microwave food package which may also serve as a food ready indicator. It may be used as a retrofit to a food package or integrated into a food package.

Abstract: An apparatus for teaching infants how to tie shoe laces is in the form of an enlarged replica of a shoe. The enlarged replica of the shoe has a sole portion, a heel portion, and a upper portion. The upper portion has several pairs of eyelets whereby a shoe lace is laced onto the upper portion. Each of the sole portion, heel portion and upper portion have strategically positioned fasteners that permit the sole portion, heel portion and upper portion to be assembled to form the shoe.

Abstract: A collapsible, folding play structure including wall members which are integrally connected to each other and roof members which are integrally connected to the wall members. Two end roof members lend support to two side roof members which connect to end roof members with tabs. The two side roof members join at the top of the roof with interlocking tabs. The play structure may be folded and stored by folding the roof members outward to the corresponding wall members. The roof and wall members are then folded flat and again folded together to form a flat compact storage state for reuse.

Abstract: A kit for assisting in the fabrication of a model is disclosed. Such kit includes a compact disk positionable within the computer for being read and for the issuing of commands to the printer in response to input from a user. The compact disk includes a plurality of separate and distinct programs, each program representing a particular model to be fabricated. Each program includes instruction data adapted to be printed out by the printer and read by a user. Each program further includes template data adapted to be printed out and used by a user in the fabricating of a model. The instructions and templates correspond to the program selected by a user. The templates are adapted to be printed out by the printer and cut by the user in accordance with the printed out instructions in a correlated manner in response to commands from the computer and input from the user from any particular program on the compact disk.

Abstract: A blank of foldable sheet material for assembling a hollow figure having inwardly directed conical depressions comprises a sheet of foldable material having the shape of a square or rectangle, without interior cuts or exterior tabs scored or marked for scoring in four areas along circular lines tangential to each other and having a radius of one fourth the diagonal of the sheet if a square and one half the narrower side if a rectangle. The blanks have each of the circularly scored areas formed by rolling into a conical shape comprising from about four-ninths to two-thirds of a cone. Six of the blanks assemble into a self-supporting interlocking hollow figure having eight inward-facing cones. If desired, the visible surfaces of the hollow object may have a decorative or informative imprint or coating thereon.

Abstract: A fashion doll clothes holder for doll clothes and accessories of the type having fasteners having a plurality of panels hingedly connected together to form an enclosure. The enclosure has an inner surface including fasteners adapted to releasably engage the fasteners on doll clothes and accessories to secure the doll clothes and accessories to the panels.

Abstract: A model rocket kit which has a substantially lower material and manufacturing cost is provided. The model rocket kit includes at least one flat sheet of cardboard material which includes the outlines of the various components of a model rocket such as the rocket frame, nose cone, and recovery device. In order to assemble the model rocket, the various components are either punched by means of perforations or cut out of the flat sheet of cardboard material. The various components of the model rocket are then folded into the appropriate form and secured using conventional adhesive tape or the like. The resulting model rocket has a structurally stable and aerodynamic configuration which is reusable and results in a stable and true flight.

Abstract: A polyhedrally shaped collapsible ornamental hollow structure having a fully enclosed hollow interior is made from a blank cut from a single sheet of folding board or like sheet material, the blank having a dual cruciform (Greek cross-like) configuration and being provided with a plurality of longitudinal, transverse and oblique scores to enable it to be folded and glued. The hollow structure remains in the collapsed state as long as a restraining pressure is applied thereto in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opposite front and back faces of the hollow structure, but when such restraining pressure is removed the hollow structure is automatically deployed into its expanded state by virtue of a compressive force applied circumferentially to the hollow structure by an elastic band equatorially encircling the sides of the hollow structure.