Patent Application
20080282859
1. Field of the Invention
One invention relates to automatic X-Y cutters that cut patterns out of substantially planar work pieces such as paper. Another invention relates to a cutting mat.
2. Description of Related Art
It is known in the art to provide computer controlled X-Y cutters (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,388,488 and 3,805,650). However, such X-Y cutters must be connected to a computer, rendering the entire apparatus bulky, non-portable, and expensive.
It is also known in the art to provide a set of cutting instructions on a removable floppy disk that is selectively connected to an X-Y cutter to cut a pattern corresponding to the set of cutting instructions (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,634,388 and 5,454,287). However, such devices are not user friendly and do not provide a simple way for an operator to choose among a plurality of patterns to be cut or to scale the size of the pattern up or down.
In X-Y cutters, it is known to use vacuum tables (i.e., tables with small suction holes in them) to hold down a work piece during a cutting operation. Unfortunately, such vacuum tables are noisy and expensive.
It is also known in the art to use a die cutter to cut paper patterns. Unfortunately, the operator must purchase a discrete, expensive die for each pattern and size that the operator wishes to make. For example, the operator must purchase 26 different dies just to have capital alphabet letters of a single size and style. Conventional die cutters also tend to be heavy and bulky because a large amount of force must be exerted on the die to punch through the paper.
Accordingly, one aspect of one or more embodiments of this invention provides an automatic pattern cutting apparatus that is self-contained and portable, and allows a plurality of different patterns to be quickly and easily selected and cut or processed from a work piece such as paper.
Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention provides a cutting/processing mat for manual or automatic cutting/processing that releaseably secures the work piece in place during the pattern making procedure, and subsequently releases the produced pattern without harm. The cutting/processing mat is inexpensive, simple, and quiet.
Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention provides a pattern making apparatus for making patterns on a substantially planar work piece. The apparatus includes a housing and a work piece supporting platform mounted to the housing. The platform is constructed and arranged to support the substantially planar work piece in an X-Y plane defined by generally orthogonal X and Y directions. The apparatus includes a pattern making instrument constructed to interact with the work piece. The instrument and the platform are movable relative to one another in the X and Y directions, and in a Z direction generally orthogonal to the X and Y directions. The apparatus includes a controller operatively connected to at least one of the instrument and the platform to move the instrument and platform relative to one another in the X, Y, and Z directions. The apparatus includes a memory device operatively connected to the controller. The memory device has a plurality of sets of pattern making instructions, each useable by the controller for moving the instrument and platform relative to one another for making a corresponding pattern from the work piece. The apparatus includes an operator interface operatively connected to the controller, and a first substrate with a first set of pattern identifiers provided thereon. Each of the first set of pattern identifiers are associated with a corresponding set of pattern making instructions in the memory device. The operator interface enables an operator to select one of the sets of pattern making instructions corresponding to a desired pattern identifier to be used by the controller to move the instrument and the platform relative to one another to make a corresponding pattern from the work piece.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, the pattern making instrument may be a cutter (paper, vinyl, etc.), an embossing instrument, a scoring instrument, a perforating instrument, or a journaling instrument.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, the controller is capable of scaling the sets of pattern making instructions to vary a size of a pattern formed from the work piece.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, the pattern making apparatus includes a pattern cutting apparatus, the work piece supporting platform includes a cutting platform, the pattern making instrument is a work piece cutter, the controller includes a cutter controller, the plurality of sets of pattern making instructions include a plurality of sets of cutting instructions, and the cutter controller moves the cutter and platform relative to one another to cut a pattern from the work piece.
The operator interface may include a set of operator actuated switches each associated with a corresponding one of the sets of cutting instructions in the memory device and a corresponding one of the pattern identifiers. The operator interface enables the operator to select the set of cutting instructions corresponding to the desired pattern identifier by actuating the corresponding one of the switches. The first set of pattern identifiers may be physically aligned with the set of switches such that each of the first set of pattern identifiers is physically associated with a corresponding switch. The substrate may overlie the set of switches. The set of switches may be permanently mounted to the housing, and the memory device and substrate may be assembled together and removably mounted to the housing as a unit. The memory device, set of switches, and substrate may be assembled together and removably mounted to the housing as a unit.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, the apparatus includes a second memory device including a second plurality of sets of cutting instructions different from the first set of cutting instructions. The apparatus also includes a second substrate with a second set of pattern identifiers displayed thereon. Each of the second set of pattern identifiers is associated with a corresponding set of cutting instructions in the second memory device. The second substrate and the second memory device are assembled together. The second memory device and second substrate may be selectively mountable as a unit to the housing in place of the memory device and first substrate to provide the cutting apparatus with a wider repertoire of patterns.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, the apparatus includes a second substrate with a second set of pattern identifiers displayed thereon, each of the second set of pattern identifiers being associated with a corresponding set of cutting instructions in the memory device. The second substrate may be selectively physically aligned with the set of switches such that each of the second set of pattern identifiers is physically associated with one of the switches. The apparatus includes a sensor that senses which substrate is physically aligned with the set of switches. The sensor operatively connects to the cutter controller to enable the cutter controller to use sets of cutting instructions associated with the pattern identifiers of the sensed substrate. The first and second substrates may be pages of a booklet, and the memory device and the booklet may be assembled together.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, the cutter controller includes an electronic control unit that is programmed to allow an operator to select a plurality of desired patterns to be cut from a single work piece. The electronic control unit is programmed to control the cutter to sequentially cut the plurality of desired patterns from the single work piece. The apparatus may also include a display controlled by the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit visually notifies an operator using the display when additional desired patterns will not fit onto the single work piece.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, the cutting platform has a tacky surface that is constructed and arranged to releaseably secure the work piece in place relative to the cutting platform when the cutter cuts the work piece.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, the cutting platform includes a rigid substrate and an adhesive layer disposed on the substrate. The adhesive layer is constructed and arranged to releaseably hold the work piece in a fixed position thereon during cutting of the work piece. The apparatus may also include a layer of self healing material disposed between the adhesive layer and the rigid substrate. The apparatus may include a removable protective layer disposed on the adhesive layer to protect the adhesive layer when the pattern cutting apparatus is not being used. The selective removal of the protective layer exposes the adhesive layer to permit the work piece to be secured thereto.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, the cutting platform is movable relative to the housing in the Y direction, and a plurality of surface features are disposed on the cutting platform. The plurality of surface features extend linearly in the Y direction. The cutter controller includes a rotational drive element having a gear that engages the surface features of the cutting platform to selectively move the cutting platform in the Y direction relative to the housing. The cutter controller may selectively move the cutter relative to the housing and cutting platform in the X and Z directions.
Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention provides a pattern making system for making patterns from a substantially planar work piece. The system includes a pattern making apparatus, an operator interface operatively connected to the controller, and a memory device operatively connected to the controller. The memory device includes a plurality of sets of pattern making instructions, each useable by the controller for moving the instrument and platform relative to one another for making a corresponding pattern from the work piece. The system also includes a first set of pattern identifiers, each of the first set of pattern identifiers being associated with a corresponding set of pattern making instructions in the memory device. The operator interface enables an operator to select one of the sets of instructions corresponding to a desired pattern identifier to be used by the controller to move the pattern making instrument and the platform relative to one another to make the corresponding pattern from the work piece. At least the set of pattern identifiers and the memory device are removable from the pattern making apparatus for replacement thereof.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, the operator interface is part of the pattern cutting apparatus.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, at least the memory device and first set of pattern identifiers are assembled together and removable from the apparatus as a unit. The first set of pattern identifiers may be physically aligned with the set of operator actuated switches such that each of the first set of pattern identifiers is physically associated with a corresponding switch.
According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, the controller is capable of scaling the sets of pattern making instructions to vary a size of a pattern formed from the work piece.
Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention provides a combination including a memory device having a plurality of sets of pattern making instructions disposed therein. The memory device is releaseably operatively connectable to a pattern making apparatus for making patterns from a work piece. The combination also includes a substrate having a plurality of pattern identifiers displayed thereon. Each pattern identifier corresponds to an associated set of pattern making instructions in the memory device. The position of each pattern identifier on the substrate correlates that pattern identifier with its associated set of pattern making instructions. The substrate may be constructed and shaped to be physically aligned with the pattern making apparatus in such a way as to indicate to the operator how to select a particular set of pattern making instructions in the memory device to use to make a pattern corresponding to a selected pattern identifier. The substrate may be constructed and shaped to overlie a plurality of switches disposed on a pattern making apparatus, the physical positions of the plurality of pattern identifiers being correlated with the plurality of switches.
Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention provides a pattern booklet that includes a plurality of pages, each page having a plurality of pattern identifiers displayed thereon. The booklet includes a memory device assembled with the plurality of pages, the memory device having a plurality of sets of pattern making instructions, each set of pattern making instructions corresponding to an associated pattern identifier on one of the plurality of pages. The booklet is constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to a pattern making apparatus such that the memory device provides pattern making instructions to the pattern making apparatus, and the pages indicate to an operator which sets of pattern making instructions are available in the memory device. The pages may be shaped and sized such that when the booklet is mounted to the pattern making apparatus, the pattern identifiers physically align with switches on the pattern making apparatus that are associated with a corresponding set of pattern making instructions. The pattern booklet may be constructed and arranged to operatively connect to a computer to enable an operator to selectively download at least one set of pattern making instructions to the memory device.
Additional and/or alternative advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, disclose preferred embodiments of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings which from a part of this original disclosure:
While the illustrated apparatus 10 utilizes a cutter 40 to make patterns in the work piece, alternative pattern making instruments may replace the cutter 40 to interact with the work piece. For example, the cutter 40 may be replaced with pattern making instruments such as a journaling instrument (e.g., pen, pencil, chalk, calligraphy pen, etc.), an embossing instrument, a scoring instrument, or a perforating instrument. If a journaling instrument is used, the apparatus 10 can draw patterns on the work piece. The operator may use these drawn or embossed patterns on the work piece as is, or may manually cut the pattern out of the work piece by using the drawn or embossed pattern as a guide.
As shown in
As shown in
The patterns and pattern making instructions in the booklet 60 may be designed to make patterns using any one or more different types of pattern making instruments. For example, a single set of pattern making instructions may be used to cut a pattern using the cutter 40, to journal the pattern using a journaling instrument, or to score the pattern using a scoring instrument. Additionally and/or alternatively, pattern booklets 60 (or individual patterns therein) may be specifically designed to make patterns using certain pattern making instruments. For example, certain patterns and pattern making instructions may be specifically designed for use with an embossing instrument or other specific type of pattern making instrument.
As shown in
While physical alignment between the illustrated pattern identifiers 120 and switches 80 involves disposing the switches 80 in close physical proximity to the pattern identifiers 120, the switches 80 and pattern identifiers may be physically aligned without such close proximity. For example, a line on the page may run from a pattern identifier 120 to an edge of the page and the associated switch 80 may be disposed adjacent the page 110 and line. Physical alignment merely requires a predetermined spatial link or relationship between the pattern identifier 120 and an associated switch 80 that helps an operator to know which switch 80 is associated with which pattern identifier 120.
While the illustrated pages 110 and pattern identifiers 120 physically align with the set of switches 80 so that each pattern identifier 120 physically corresponds to an associated switch 80, the pattern identifiers 120 may alternatively correspond to the set of switches 80 through a logical, non-spatial relationship. For example, each switch 80 may be numbered. Corresponding numbers could appear next to each pattern identifier 120 in the booklet 60. An operator could peruse the booklet 60, choose a desired pattern and pattern identifier 120, and indicate his/her selection to the apparatus 10 by actuating the correspondingly numbered switch 80. Moreover, in such an alternative, the corresponding switches could comprise a small keypad or other input device that enables the operator to simply type in a number or code corresponding to the pattern identifier 120. Likewise, with any of the above-described embodiments, the memory device 100 could be separate from the booklet 60 and inserted in a port on the apparatus 10, or otherwise engaged with a connector, for allowing the controller 50 to read the appropriate cutting instructions.
In an alternative embodiment, the operator interface 70 comprises a pattern identifier 120 selecting pen/wand. The operator may use the pen/wand to scan a bar code next to a desired pattern identifier 120 in the booklet 60. Alternatively, the operator may place the pen/wand on or near the desired pattern identifier 120 and the pen/wand may sense a corresponding short-range radio frequency ID tag disposed under or near the desired pattern identifier. The pen/wand may interact with the controller 50 via wireless or wired communication to indicate the desired pattern to the controller 50. Generally, any suitable operator interface may be used to allow the operator to select the desired set of instructions for controlling the cutting operation.
While the illustrated operator interface 70 is permanently attached to the housing 20 and removably mountable to the booklet 60, the operator interface 70 may alternatively be incorporated into the booklet 60, itself, such that the operator interface 70, memory device 100, and pages 110 are assembled together into the booklet 60. In such an embodiment, the switches 80 could be disposed beneath the pattern identifiers 120 on the pages 110 or between sandwiched layers of each page 110. The booklet 60 is removably mountable to the housing 20 with the operator interface 70 being operatively connectable to the cutter controller 50 through a port similar to the port 150 for the memory device. Alternatively, because the operator interface 70 is in the booklet 60, the memory device 100 and operator interface 70 may be connected to the cutter controller 50 by other means, such as by a connector cable (e.g., a USB cable) or by a wireless transmitter/receiver connection (e.g., an infrared connection or BLUETOOTH connection). In such alternatives, there is no need for providing a tray 75 or other structure for mounting the booklet 60 to the housing 20.
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors 125 comprise light sensors that sense whether a tab 135 covers the corresponding sensor 125. As shown in
Although the illustrated sensors 125 comprise light sensors, any other suitable sensor could alternatively be used. For example, the sensors 125 could comprise momentary switches that are actuated when the tabs 135 of the pages 110 are turned and lay on the switches. Alternatively, each sensor 125 may be incorporated into the spine of the booklet 60 so that the sensor senses a pivotal position of each page 110 relative to the spine of the booklet 60. Alternatively, each sensor 125 may be a switch that the operator actuates to indicate which page 110 is open. Alternatively, each sensor 125 may comprise any other type of suitable sensor that is capable of indicating to the cutter controller 50 which page 110 the operator is selecting patterns from.
As shown in
As shown in
After the operator has selected all patterns to be cut from a single work piece, the operator actuates a “CUT” button 160 (see
As shown in
As shown in
The lid sensor, as well as other sensors utilized by the apparatus 10, may comprise any type of suitable sensor as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the lid sensor may comprise an appropriately positioned momentary switch that is physically actuated by the closing of the lid 140. Alternatively, the lid sensor may comprise electrical contacts on the housing and lid that contact each other to complete an electrical circuit when the lid 140 is closed.
The cutter controller 50 may also have various other useful control features and logical functions. These may include an on/off function and/or other control features.
The operator may interact with the cutter controller 50 by actuating appropriate switches 80. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 may also include a discrete keypad connected to the cutter controller 50 that enables the operator to make choices in response to cutter controller 50 instructions on the display 130.
The cutter controller 50 may perform various diagnostic functions at appropriate times during use. For example, if the memory device 100 is not detected or is faulty and cannot be read, the cutter controller may instruct the operator via the display 130 to insert and/or replace the memory device 100. The cutter controller 50 may similarly determine whether a booklet 60 is operatively connected to the apparatus 10.
Additional pattern booklets 60 may be provided with additional patterns and corresponding pattern making instructions so that the apparatus 10 has an even larger selection of patterns. The modular design of the apparatus 10 enables a user to quickly and easily mount other pattern booklets 60 to the operator interface 70 in place of the booklet 60.
As shown in
At step 700, a user purchases or otherwise obtains a blank booklet 60″. This method may also use a blank page that is not in a booklet.
At step 710, the user attaches the booklet 60″ with blank memory device 100″ to the apparatus 10. At step 720, the user connects the apparatus 10 to a computer via a USB connection 180 (see
At step 730, the user uses a password to enter a private web site operated by the supplier of the booklets 60″ (or other appropriate vendor). The password and private web site enable the user to work within a personalized web environment to create and/or organize the patterns that will be added to the blank booklet 60″. The supplier may provide such a password with each blank booklet 60″ so that the cost of each booklet 60″ includes a charge for downloading patterns to the booklet 60″. Alternatively, the password can be linked to a pattern subscription service such that the supplier charges users for downloading patterns using any suitable payment system (e.g., charge per pattern downloaded, monthly/yearly charge for access to all available patterns, etc.). Alternatively, the supplier's web site could allow anyone to design booklets 60″, but require payment (or an authorizing password) before allowing the design to be downloaded to a user's memory device 100″.
At step 740, the user creates and organizes the pages 110″ of the booklet 60″ online. This may include choosing which pattern identifiers 120 to include in the booklet 60″ as well as choosing which order the pattern identifiers will be placed on the pages 110″. In the illustrated embodiment, the step is conducted online via the supplier's web site. Alternatively, this operation could be driven by software on the user's computer or on the memory device 100″ itself, which assembles pattern identifiers and sets of cutting instructions to generate electronic data including the pattern identifiers and corresponding sets of cutting instructions. The software could interact with the supplier's web site to identify available patterns and download specific sets of cutting instructions and pattern identifiers. Alternatively, as shown in
Additionally and/or alternatively, the software and/or web site may enable a user to design his/her own patterns. The program or web site would then create corresponding pattern making instructions based on the user-created pattern.
At step 750, the user downloads page 110″ images and prints them onto pages 110″. At Step 760, the user attaches the pages 110″ to the booklet 60″. As shown in
At step 770, the user downloads cutting instructions corresponding to the pattern identifiers on the pages 110″ to the memory device 100″. The cutting instructions are correlated to the physical location of the corresponding pattern identifiers 120 on the pages 110″ such that selecting a pattern identifier 120 using the operator interface 70 causes the controller 50 to select the appropriate corresponding set of pattern making instructions from the memory device 100″.
The booklets 60″ may be single-use booklets that only permit patterns to be downloaded onto the memory device 100″ once. Software or other suitable mechanisms in the memory device 100″ or elsewhere can be used to prevent additional downloads to the booklet 60″. Alternatively, the booklets 60″ may be reusable, such that the user can create entire new combinations of patterns by downloading new instructions to the memory device 100″ and adding new pages 110″ to the booklet 60″.
The provision of such a large number of possible patterns and pattern sizes on the pages 110, 110″ of the booklet 60, 60″ and memory device 100, 100″ presents a substantial improvement over conventional die-based cutters, whose repertoire of patterns and sizes is limited to the available discrete dies. In contrast, a large number of patterns and cutting instructions can be stored in the memory device 100, 100″ and pages 110, 110″ of a single compact booklet 60, 60″ of the apparatus 10.
The controller 50 may be upgraded/updated in any suitable manner to improve/expand the functionality of the controller 50. For example, software updates may be provided to the controller 50 via a memory device 100 with such updates stored thereon. An update may be transferred to the memory device 100 from a separate computer that obtains the update electronically. Alternatively, the controller 50 may connect directly to the computer via a suitable connection (e.g., serial connection, USB connection 180 (shown in
Operation of the cutter 40 is described hereinafter with reference to
As shown in
As shown in
The cutter 40 may also move in the Y direction relative to the housing, thus avoiding the need for the platform 30 to move in the Y direction. In such an embodiment, the platform 30 may nonetheless be movable in the Y direction between a closed position (similar to that shown in
As shown in
The motorized wheel 220, rack and pinion system 240, and solenoid 260 enable the cutter controller 50 to control the position of the cutter 40 relative to the cutting platform 30 in all three orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. The sets of cutting instructions on the memory device 100 include X, Y, and Z instructions that enable the cutter controller 50 to use the cutter 40 to cut desired patterns out of a work piece on the cutting platform 30.
The cutter 40 may optionally be mounted to the solenoid 260 to allow relative rotational movement about the Z axis. A servo-motor or other rotational drive element preferably controls the rotational position of the cutter 40 so that the cutter 40 appropriately aligns with the direction that the cutter 40 is moving in the X-Y plane. The set of cutting instructions for each pattern on the memory device 100 may include rotational instructions for appropriately controlling the rotational position of the cutter 40. Alternatively, the cutter controller 50 may calculate the appropriate cutter 40 rotational position based on the X-Y-Z cutting instructions. Alternatively, there may be no active control of the rotational position of the cutter 40 and the cutter 40 may simply be freely rotatable so that it aligns itself with the cutting direction during cutting in a manner similar to how a castor wheel aligns itself with a rolling direction.
The work piece is preferably a thin, substantially planar work piece such as paper, cardstock, construction paper, adhesive paper, etc. The cutter 40 is preferably a paper cutter that is constructed to cut through such a work piece, and may include a blade with a sharp cutting edge.
As shown in
The adhesive layers 320 preferably comprise a relatively low tack adhesive that has a tacky surface that secures the work piece in place relative to the cutting platform 30 during cutting operations, and release the work piece without damage after cutting. For example, the adhesive layers 320 may comprise a microsphere adhesive or a soft rubber compound. If the adhesive layer 320 comprises a soft rubber compound, the layer 320 may be cleaned if it becomes clogged with debris such as dust, fibers, etc. that adversely affects the adhesive properties of the layer 320.
The adhesive layer 320 presents several advantages over conventional cutting mats. The adhesive layer 320 adheres to the underside of the work piece without obstructing any of the work piece from a cutter. Consequently, the entire area of the work piece may be cut. Conversely, in conventional cutters that clamp a work piece in place, the clamped portions of the work piece cannot be cut, which results in waste and limits the size of cut patterns. The adhesive layer 320 also advantageously securely holds the entire surface area of the work piece so that the work piece will not wrinkle while being cut. Conversely, in conventional cutters that utilize clamps to secure the work piece, portions of the work piece that are not clamped down may wrinkle during cutting. The adhesive layer 320 helps the apparatus 10 cut paper products that do not include a sacrificial backing layer or an additional adhesive, as is frequently required by conventional cutters.
The removable protective layers 330 cover the adhesive layers 320 to discourage debris/contaminants from sticking to the adhesive layers 320 when the apparatus 10 is not being used. Accordingly, the top removable protective layer 330 is removed prior to use of the apparatus 10 and subsequently replaced after the apparatus 10 is used. The bottom removable protective layer 330 may be removed before the substrate 205 is mounted to the mat 300 so that the bottom adhesive layer 330 secures the substrate 205 to the mat 300. After the top adhesive layer 320 loses its tackiness, the mat 300 may be flipped over so that the bottom adhesive layer 320 is used to secure a work piece to the cutting platform 30. When both adhesive layers lose their tackiness, the mat 300 should be replaced with a new mat 300.
While the illustrated mat 300 is double-sided, a single-side mat could alternatively be used without deviating from the scope of the present invention. For example, the bottom adhesive layer 320 and removable protective layer 330 could be omitted to create a single-sided cutting mat.
While a tacky cutting platform 30 is preferred, the cutting platform may alternatively use work piece clamps to clamp a work piece to the cutting platform. Furthermore, any other suitable securing means (e.g., vacuum table, clamping rollers, etc.) may be used to secure the work piece to the cutting platform without deviating from the scope of the present invention.
As shown in
As shown in
As an alternative, the cutting mat 300, 400 itself could serve as the platform 30 for the apparatus 10. When the operator wants to replace the mat 300, 400, the cutter controller 50 could be operated to discharge the mat 300, 400 in the Y direction, and then the replacement mat 300, 400 could be fed back into the apparatus 10. Such a mat 300, 400 could be provided with the surface features 200 for improved control.
The cutter 40 may be interchangeably mounted to the apparatus 10 to allow an operator to easily and quickly replace the cutter 40 with a new, sharp cutter 40.
The cutter 40 may also be interchangeable with other types of pattern making instruments (e.g., an embossing instrument 570 (FIGS. 17A&B), a perforating instrument 580 (FIGS. 18A&B (perforating features being disposed along the circumference of the “pizza cutter” style wheel)), or a journaling instrument 560 (FIGS. 16A&B)), which may be quickly and easily attached to the apparatus 10 in place of the cutter 40 using any suitable releasable holding mechanism. As discussed above, the cutting mat 300 is designed for use with the cutter 40. The cutting mat 300 may be interchangeable with other types of pattern making mats that are better suited to the selected pattern making instrument. A storage compartment may be provided on the apparatus 10 to store the pattern making instruments 40, 570, 580, 560 that are not being used.
If a journaling instrument is used, a mat having a harder, but tacky, upper surface may be used so that the journaling instrument does not pierce the work piece. A journaling mat could be incorporated into the platform 30, so that a journaling instrument could be used by simply removing the mat 300. Alternatively, a replaceable journaling mat could be used. A replaceable journaling mat may be identical to the mat 400 shown in
Alternatively, a mat could include a cutting mat on one side and a journaling mat on the other side. Such a mat could be identical to the mat 400 shown in
If an embossing instrument is used, a user may place a work piece onto the mat 300 and then place a low-friction protective cover such as a thin deformable protective sheet (e.g., a thin plastic sheet) on top of the work piece. The protective sheet reduces friction between the embossing instrument 570 (see
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mat 800 may be flipped over for use during journaling procedures. The hardness of the substrate layer 810 facilitates the use of a journaling instrument 560 (see
A user selects the appropriate combination of mat and pattern making instrument and attaches both to the apparatus 10 in order to perform the desired pattern making operation. When the user wishes to perform a different type of pattern making operation, the user simply replaces the attached mat and pattern making instrument with the appropriate new combination of mat and pattern making instrument.
The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. To the contrary, those skilled in the art should appreciate that varieties may be constructed and employed without departing from the scope of the invention, aspects of which are recited by the claims appended hereto.
The present application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/272,295, filed Nov. 15, 2005, and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/627,179, which was filed on Nov. 15, 2004, the entire contents of both applications being incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20070056415 A1 | Mar 2007 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60/627,179 | Nov 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11/272,295 | Nov 2005 | US |
| Child | 11/603,195 | US |
