Patent Application
20240252913
The present invention relates generally to the field of puzzle sorter devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a plurality of felt sheets for accommodating up to 60 individual puzzle pieces for storage and organization. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in puzzle sorter devices. Generally, people who enjoy completing puzzles may not be able to easily organize their puzzle pieces. Further, puzzle pieces that are kept in a box can become disorganized, even if a person tries to sort them in a unique manner. Additionally, puzzle pieces can be easily lost if placed on a table or countertop, as the pieces can be accidentally knocked or slid off.
Furthermore, assembling a jigsaw puzzle involves storing and manipulating many small puzzle pieces, often in a small area where it is difficult to spread the pieces out so that they can be easily inspected and located. It can be frustrating to have many puzzle pieces in the way while searching for a particular piece, or often finding one, to have the location where it fits in the final picture be covered with other loose pieces, which are also liable to be lost, or mistakenly thrown away.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved puzzle sorter device that can accommodate pieces for small to very large puzzles and keep them sorted. More particularly, there is a demand for a puzzle sorter device that allows users to sort pieces by various desired means and helps facilitate movement of the pieces.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that provides users with felt sheets for accommodating up to 60 individual puzzle pieces for storage and organization. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that includes a card stock backing to ensure the sheet remains flat and in place while pieces are adorned on the felt sheet. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that enables users to stack the sheets within a puzzle box when not in use to prevent the loss of puzzle pieces. Moreover, there is a felt long-felt need in the art for a device that offers a simple and convenient method of storing sorted puzzle pieces for safekeeping until users can continue with their puzzle. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that facilitates movement of the pieces without requiring a user to move around the table. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that allows a user to travel with their puzzle.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a puzzle sorter device. The device is a set of felt sheets that will allow puzzle users to sort puzzle pieces by various desired means. The puzzle sorter device comprises a sorting sheet component that is configured in a rectangular shape that measures approximately eleven inches in length and eight inches in width and 0.5 inches in thickness. The sorting sheet component would comprise a cardstock base sheet component with a felt top sheet component secured on top. Each sorting sheet component can hold up to 60 puzzle pieces at a time, with the sheets accommodating small to very large pieces, such as 100 to 3,000 piece puzzles. The sorting sheets facilitate the movement of the puzzle pieces, allowing a user to stay in one position while building the puzzle.
Furthermore, the sorting sheets would be packaged together and sold in a box or other container. The sorting sheets can be stacked on top of each other without the loss of the puzzle pieces. Once stacked, the sorting sheets and pieces can be placed into the original puzzle box or into the box/container the sorting sheets came in for storage and transport. Thus, the puzzle box or retail sheet box can keep the puzzle pieces already sorted for safekeeping until the puzzle user can continue with the puzzle. This will also allow the puzzle user to travel with their puzzle to different places at home or away and continue their puzzle at any time.
In this manner, the puzzle sorter device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a device that sorts and stores a plurality of puzzle pieces. The device is a plurality of felt-topped sheets that retain the pieces and facilitate movement of the pieces. The device can be manufactured of cardstock and felt material.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a puzzle sorter device. The device is a set of felt sheets that will allow puzzle users to sort puzzle pieces by various desired means. The puzzle sorter device comprises a sorting sheet component that is configured in a rectangular shape that measures approximately the size of a standard sheet of paper. The sorting sheet component would comprise a cardstock base sheet component with a felt top sheet component secured on top. Each sorting sheet component can hold a multitude of puzzle pieces at one time, with the sheets accommodating various sized puzzle pieces.
In one embodiment, the puzzle sorter device of the present invention comprises a plurality of sorting sheet components, adapted to be oriented relative to each other in one direction to provide a compact interconnected stack for storage, or oriented in opposite directions to each other for the organization of the puzzle pieces stored on each sorting sheet component. It is to be understood that any selected number of sorting sheet components can be used in the puzzle sorter device, with the number of sorting sheet components normally being determined by the size of the jigsaw puzzle being built. For example, 100 piece puzzles would use less sorting sheet components than a 3,000 piece puzzle.
In one embodiment, the puzzle sorter device comprises a sorting sheet component that is configured in a rectangular shape or any other suitable shape as is known in the art, such as square, round, oval, etc. Generally, the sorting sheet components measure approximately eleven inches in length and eight inches in width, and 0.25 inches in thickness, or any other suitable measurements as is known in the art but typically the size of a standard sheet of paper. In one embodiment, the sorting sheet components are available in a variety of sizes and shapes depending on the wants and/or needs of a user and the size of the puzzle being built.
In one embodiment, the sorting sheet component comprises a cardstock base sheet component with a felt top sheet component secured on top. The cardstock base sheet component can be manufactured of cardstock material or any other suitable supporting material as is known in the art, such as posterboard, fiberboard, cardboard, laminated material, etc. Further, the felt top sheet component can be manufactured of a felt material or any other suitable thick material as is known in the art, such as velvet, carpet, fleece, etc. Additionally, the felt top sheet component is typically secured to the cardstock base sheet component via adhesives, glue, tape, thermally bonded, etc., or any other suitable securing means as is known in the art. Generally, each sorting sheet component is sized and shaped to hold up to approximately 60 puzzle pieces at a time, with the sorting sheet components accommodating small to very large pieces, such as 100 to 3,000 piece puzzles.
In one embodiment, puzzle pieces are organized and sorted by various desired means based on the user and the puzzle being built. Then, the puzzle pieces are placed on a plurality of sorting sheet components and retained by the felt top sheet component, which prevents the puzzle pieces from sliding off the device and/or falling off the table. The puzzle pieces organized on the device can then be easily manipulated and moved around the puzzle, allowing a user to stay in one position while building the puzzle. Thus, the sorting sheet components facilitate the movement of the puzzle pieces when building the puzzle, no matter the size of the puzzle, allowing a user to be able to reach every puzzle piece without leaving their seat or having to move around the puzzle table.
In one embodiment, the sorting sheet components comprise a rectangular configuration having a peripheral raised border providing a recess in the main body portion of the sorting sheet components for supporting the puzzle pieces. The longitudinally extending sides of the border are further provided with rounded edges to provide handles to facilitate manipulating the sorting sheet components.
In one embodiment, the felt top sheet components can comprise a grid indicia to facilitate the positioning of the various puzzle pieces in columns and rows and according to color and/or shape on a respective sorting sheet component. The grid can be printed directly on the felt top sheet components of a sorting sheet component or on a removable sheet of paper placed on the sorting sheet component. The grid can also have light or dark-colored backgrounds in order to contrast with the puzzle pieces positioned on it.
In one embodiment, the sorting sheet components are dimensioned to fit in a standard-size puzzle box, and in use, the various puzzle pieces are placed on the grid in a respective felt top sheet component, in columns and rows, according to color and/or shape to facilitate the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle. If the puzzle is not completed in one sitting, the sorting sheet components, containing the remaining puzzle pieces can be oriented to a stacked position, whereby the puzzle pieces are temporarily stacked until the puzzle is completed, whereupon the sorting sheet components are oriented into a compact stack for storage in the puzzle box.
In one embodiment, the sorting sheet components are packaged together and sold in a plastic or cardboard box or other container. Further, the sorting sheet components can be stacked on top of each other without the loss of the puzzle pieces positioned on the felt top sheet components. Once stacked, the sorting sheet components and puzzle pieces can be placed into the original puzzle box or into the box/container the sorting sheet components came in for storage and transport. Thus, the puzzle box or retail sorting sheet box can keep the puzzle pieces already sorted for safekeeping until the user can continue with the puzzle. This will also allow the user to travel with their puzzle to different places at home or away and continue their puzzle at any time.
From the above description, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the puzzle sorter device of the present invention promotes the organization of loose puzzle pieces based on color and/or geometry and other various desired means, thereby facilitating the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle while providing temporary storage for the puzzle pieces until the completion of the puzzle.
In yet another embodiment, the puzzle sorter device comprises a plurality of indicia.
In yet another embodiment, a method of sorting and organizing a plurality of puzzle pieces when building a puzzle is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a puzzle sorter device comprising a plurality of sorting sheet components which each comprise a cardstock base sheet with a felt top sheet secured on top. The method also comprises sorting and organizing puzzle pieces while building a puzzle. Further, the method comprises placing specific puzzle pieces on the plurality of sorting sheet components. The method comprises stacking the plurality of sorting sheet components and puzzle pieces on top of one another. Finally, the method comprises storing the stacked sorting sheet components and puzzle pieces in the puzzle box for storage and transport.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that provides users with felt sheets for accommodating up to 60 individual puzzle pieces for storage and organization. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that includes a card stock backing to ensure the sheet remains flat and in place while pieces are adorned on the felt sheet. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that enables users to stack the sheets within a puzzle box when not in use to prevent the loss of puzzle pieces.
Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that offers a simple and convenient method of storing sorted puzzle pieces for safekeeping until users can continue with their puzzle.
Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that facilitates movement of the pieces without requiring a user to move around the table. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that allows a user to travel with their puzzle.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel puzzle sorter device.
The device is a set of felt sheets that will allow puzzle users to sort puzzle pieces by various desired means. The puzzle sorter device comprises a sorting sheet component that comprises a cardstock base sheet component with a felt top sheet component secured on top. Each sorting sheet component can hold up to 60 puzzle pieces at a time, with the sheets accommodating small to very large pieces, such as 100 to 3,000 piece puzzles. The sorting sheets facilitate the movement of the puzzle pieces, allowing a user to stay in one position while building the puzzle. The present invention also includes a novel method of sorting and organizing a plurality of puzzle pieces when building a puzzle. The method includes the steps of providing a puzzle sorter device comprising a plurality of sorting sheet components which each comprise a cardstock base sheet with a felt top sheet secured on top. The method also comprises sorting and organizing puzzle pieces while building a puzzle. Further, the method comprises placing specific puzzle pieces on the plurality of sorting sheet components. The method comprises stacking the plurality of sorting sheet components and puzzle pieces on top of one another. Finally, the method comprises storing the stacked sorting sheet components and puzzle pieces in the puzzle box for storage and transport.
Referring initially to the drawings,
As shown in
Furthermore, the sorting sheet component 102 comprises a cardstock base sheet component 104 with a felt top sheet component 106 secured on top. The cardstock base sheet component 104 can be manufactured of cardstock material or any other suitable supporting material as is known in the art, such as posterboard, fiberboard, cardboard, laminated material, etc. Further, the felt top sheet component 106 can be manufactured of a felt material or any other suitable thick material as is known in the art, such as velvet, carpet, fleece, etc. Additionally, the felt top sheet component 106 is typically secured to the cardstock base sheet component 104 via adhesives, glue, tape, thermally bonded, etc., or any other suitable securing means as is known in the art. Generally, each sorting sheet component 102 is sized and shaped to hold up to approximately 60 puzzle pieces 108 at a time, with the sorting sheet components 102 accommodating small to very large pieces 108, such as 100 to 3,000 piece puzzles 112.
In use, puzzle pieces 108 are organized and sorted by various desired means based on the user 110 and the puzzle 112 being built. Then, the puzzle pieces 108 are placed on the plurality of sorting sheet components 102 and retained by the felt top sheet component 106, which prevents the puzzle pieces 108 from sliding off the device 100 and/or falling off the table 114. The puzzle pieces 108 organized on the device 100 can then be easily manipulated and moved around the puzzle 112, allowing a user 110 to stay in one position while building the puzzle 112. Thus, the sorting sheet components 102 facilitate movement of the puzzle pieces 108 when building the puzzle 112, no matter the size of the puzzle 112, allowing a user 110 to be able to reach every puzzle piece 108 without leaving their seat or having to move around the puzzle table 114.
As shown in
As shown in
Furthermore, in another embodiment, the felt top sheet components 106 can comprise a grid indicia 406 to facilitate the positioning of the various puzzle pieces 108 in columns and rows and according to color and/or shape on a respective sorting sheet component 102. The grid 406 can be printed directly on the felt top sheet components 106 of a sorting sheet component 102 or on a removable sheet of paper 408 placed on the sorting sheet component 102. The grid 406 can also have light or dark-colored backgrounds in order to contrast with the puzzle pieces 108 positioned on it.
Generally, the sorting sheet components 102 are dimensioned to fit in a standard-size puzzle box 410, and in use, the various puzzle pieces 108 are placed on the grid 406 in a respective felt top sheet component 106, in columns and rows, according to color and/or shape to facilitate the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle 112. If the puzzle 112 is not completed in one sitting, the sorting sheet components 102, containing the remaining puzzle pieces 108 can be oriented to a stacked position 412, whereby the puzzle pieces 108 are temporarily stacked until the puzzle 112 is completed, whereupon the sorting sheet components 102 are oriented into a compact stack 412 for storage in the puzzle box 410.
Furthermore, the sorting sheet components 102 are packaged together and sold in a plastic or cardboard box or other container 414. Further, the sorting sheet components 102 can be stacked on top of each other without the loss of the puzzle pieces 108 positioned on the felt top sheet components 106. Once stacked, the sorting sheet components 102 and puzzle pieces 108 can be placed into the original puzzle box 410 or into the box/container 414 the sorting sheet components 102 came in for storage and transport. Thus, the puzzle box 410 or retail sorting sheet box 414 can keep the puzzle pieces 108 already sorted for safekeeping until the user 110 can continue with the puzzle 112. This will also allow the user 110 to travel with their puzzle 112 to different places at home or away and continue their puzzle 112 at any time.
As shown in
From the above description, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the puzzle sorter device 100 of the present invention promotes the organization of loose puzzle pieces 108 based on color and/or geometry and other various desired means, thereby facilitating the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle 112 while providing temporary storage for the puzzle pieces 108 until the completion of the puzzle 112.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users, may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “puzzle sorter device”, “puzzle device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the puzzle sorter device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the puzzle sorter device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the puzzle sorter device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/442,544, which was filed on Feb. 1, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63442544 | Feb 2023 | US |
