Patent Application
20110107926
The present invention relates to the field of media embellishment. More specifically, the present invention relates to media embellishing templates.
Papercraft and scrapbooking have become increasingly popular over the past many years. Many people have used the art of scrapbooking to collect and organize photographs and other mementos in ways that personalize the collections. Much of this personalization is done through the use of embellishments which are often created using templates that cut and/or emboss the media used.
Traditional press systems that use these embossment and embellishment templates utilize a two-piece die system. These traditional systems use two complementing dies such that one die has a male die having an embossing surface with raised areas and a female die that has complementary recessed areas such that the recessed areas of the female die can receive the raised areas of the male die if the dies are pressed together. In these traditional systems, the media is placed between the male and female dies, and the male and female dies are pressed together to emboss the media.
Some traditional single-die templates use apertures formed into the template to provide secondary embellishments to a pattern. In such systems, the template has both raised areas and apertures. The raised areas emboss and/or cut the media when pressure is applied. When sufficient pressure is applied, the media is further pressed into the apertures, forming a secondary embossment. These systems require control over the pressure used to press the media on the template, as an increase in the pressure may impose unwanted embellishments upon the media. The effects of this are apparent in situations where the user desires to only cut the media with the raised areas; however the pressure required to cut the media with these templates results in the unwanted side effect of additional embossment by the apertures.
The traditional single-die templates are often very thin, ranging between 0.010 inches to about 0.060 inches. The thinness reduces the time and materials needed to formulate the apertures within the single die template. However, the resultant die template often has sharp edges that may inadvertently cut media while being set up, and also may harm individuals using the die, as the sharp nature of the edges, both on the side and within the apertures, may cut skin
Also, when a media is pressed into traditional die templates that cut the media, the media is pressed into the die, and abuts the cutting surface of the die on all sides of the cutting surface. To remove the media from the die template, traditionally a pick or other tool is used to lift a portion of the media from within the cut area, and then remove the media by pulling on the lifted portion. Due to the closeness of the media and the cutting surface, the pick or other tool is traditionally a sharp pointed device.
In addition to embossing media, papercraft and scrapbooking utilize colors and paints to personalize media and collections. In the event that users wish to embellish specific areas of their pressed media, often embellishments must be added, and the media colored and/or painted subsequent to pressing. Especially in traditional single-die templates, embellishments may be made only specific areas of the die, and thus to the media, while on the template being embossed. It is not possible for users to color and/or paint the full figure while also embossing the media, better ensuring accurate coloring and/or painting of media with regards to the embossment pattern being imposed on media.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:
Media embossing template 24 comprises a template base 30, a raised perimeter 32 and a recessed embosser 34. Raised perimeter 32 and recessed embosser 34 are raised and recessed relative to template base 30. Raised perimeter 32 defines an outer perimeter for the figure or pattern that media embossing template 24 depicts. Raised perimeter 32 is a two-dimensional perimeter that is integrally formed with face 22, and raised from face 22 relative to template base 30. When media 26 is pressed onto face 22, raised perimeter 32 will emboss media 26 by impressing into media 26 the pattern or figure defined by raised perimeter 32. In one embodiment, the edge 36 of raised perimeter 32 distal to face 22 is a die-cut blade designed to cut media 26 when media 26 is pressed onto face 22 with sufficient force 28.
Recessed embosser 34 is an embossing pattern confined within the area defined by raised perimeter 32. Recessed embosser 34 is recessed into face 22 relative to template base 30, and provides embossments that can be pressed into media 26 when sufficient force 28 is applied such that media 26 is pressed into recessed embosser 34. Recessed embosser 34 may be a uniform pattern imprinted upon face 22 within the area confined by raised perimeter 32. In an alternate embodiment, recessed embosser 34 is a pattern that provides additional embellishments to media 26 when pressed into media embossing template 24, such as additional details for the figure or pattern that raised perimeter 32 defines. In one embodiment, a force distribution media 38 is placed on the surface of media 26 distal to face 22. In one embodiment, force distribution media 38 is a solid plate that will not mold to media embossing template 24. In an alternate embodiment, force distribution media 38 includes a spongy material that will conform to the shape of media embossing template 24. In this embodiment, media 26 is placed between the spongy material of force distribution media 38 and face 22 of non-apertured die 20. Force 28 is applied to the surface of force distribution media 38 distal to media 26. Force 28 will cause force distribution media 38 to push media 26 into recessed embosser 34, embossing media 26 with the pattern of recessed embosser 34. In one embodiment, force distribution media 38 includes a rubber media.
One skilled in the art will recognize that although media embossing template 24 has been placed upon face 22 of non-apertured die 20, non-apertured die 20 has a second face 40, and a second media embossing template may be placed upon second face 40 of non-apertured die 20. If a media embossing template is placed upon second face 40, the pattern may be a complement to media embossing template 24 on face 22. In an alternate embodiment, the pattern on second face 40 is unrelated to media embossing template 24 found on face 22 of non-apertured die 20.
In one embodiment, non-apertured die 20 also includes a media release 44. When media is pressed into face 22 and cut by raised perimeter 32, media 26 fits within the area enclosed by raised perimeter 32. Media release 44 is a hole that passes through non-apertured die 20 that permits a user to push media 26 out of media embossing template 24 without using a pick or similar tool (not shown). Media release 44 is positioned and sized so as to not emboss media 26 when media 26 is pressed into media embossing template 24 while still providing a point from which to push media 26 out of media embossing template 24.
By providing a tri-level embossing system, non-apertured die 20 can provide a user with multiple options to emboss media 26 (shown in
Media embossing template 24 can be formed using any die forming technology. For example, media embossing template 24 may be formed by machining and shaving away the unwanted areas of face 22 such that raised perimeter 32 and recessed embosser 34 are formed. In an alternative embodiment, media embossing template 24 may be formed by etching face 22 such that the unwanted areas of face 22 are chemically removed. One skilled in the art would recognize that although machining and etching methods of die forming are discussed, any other method of creating dies can be used to create media embossing template 24. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will recognize that when forming media embossing template 24, any combination of any method of creating dies can be used to imprint raised perimeter 32 and recessed embosser 34 into face 22.
The non-apertured nature of non-apertured die 20 provides the user with multiple options to customize, emboss and otherwise embellish media 26. By providing the tri-level embossing system that can be used to emboss and embellish a media 26, the user is provided with multiple options on a single die of how to personalize their works. The user can select to only cut or emboss an outline as provided by raised perimeter 32, or can select to cut or emboss outline and apply additional embellishments or embossments by applying greater force 28 and pressing media 26 into recessed embosser 34.
When using recessed embosser 34, the user is not limited to simply embossing media 26. In one embodiment, paints and/or other coloring media 26 may be used with media embossing template 24. The personalization afforded by using paints and/or other coloring media 26 can be implemented by applying paint and/or other coloring media 26 upon the entire area enclosed by raised perimeter 32 such that media 26 is colored by the paint and/or other coloring media 26 when media 26 is pressed into media embossing template 24. More localized colorization may be effected by applying paint and/or other coloring media 26 within recessed embosser 34. This provides the user with multiple colorable surfaces at different depths. The user may select to only color recessed embosser 34, only raised perimeter 32, only template base 30, or any combination of the three.
In summary, the present invention teaches a non-apertured die 20 with a media embossing template 24 on a face 22 to be used in papercraft and scrapbooking Media embossing template 24 has a raised perimeter 32 and a recessed embosser 34, reducing the number of dies that a user may have to possess to embellish and otherwise emboss media 26 as desired. Furthermore, non-apertured die 20 is designed to be used individually, thus removing the need of owning matching male and female dies to form the desired embossments and embellishments on media 26.
By providing a non-apertured die 20, the user is permitted to apply as much force 28 as necessary on media embossing template 24 to cause the desired embossment or embellishment on media 26. Also, the non-apertured nature of non-apertured die 20 permits non-apertured die 20 itself to have an increased thickness such that potential dangers of user injury due to sharp edges is reduced.
The embossing pattern of recessed embosser 34 can be used to provide not only embossment of the media 26, but also further embellishments. By painting or otherwise coloring recessed embosser 34 of media embossing template 24, non-apertured die 20 can paint and/or color media 26 as desired while, at the same time, embossing media 26. Thus, the user can better control the distribution of paint and/or other colors by painting or otherwise coloring media embossing template 24 of non-apertured die 20 and removing unwanted paint and/or color from media embossing template 24 prior to embossing media 26.
Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.
