The present invention relates generally to arts and crafts stencils, and in particular to a stencil kit which enables a user (e.g. an artist, a lay person, a child, etc.) to make patterns and/or designs on a canvas (e.g. a paper, cardstock, etc.). The present invention also relates to methods of using the stencil kit to make patterns and/or designs.
Stencils are commonly used for creating decorative designs or patterns on the surface of a substrate such as clothing, paper and cardstock. Stencils are typically formed by cutting out portions of a rigid sheet of material (e.g. cardboard, plastics, etc.) to obtain a physical negative of the design desired to be reproduced. A design can be reproduced on the surface of a substrate by placing the stencil on top of the surface and applying paint, ink or other types of pigment over the stencil to impress the design onto the surface.
Most stencils that are available in the market are square or rectangular shaped. These stencils are limited to producing a single image (i.e. the image that is pre-cut on the stencil) and may need to be used together with other stencils (i.e. stencils having a different pre-cut image) or other tools if one wishes to create more elaborate designs. For example, one typically needs to use multiple stencils if one wishes to create overlapping patterns. As another example, one typically needs to apply masking techniques (e.g. by masking out parts of the stencil during the inking process) if one wishes to apply different colors over different cut-out portions of the stencil.
Using multiple stencils can be complicated and can require some skill. Since each stencil is capable of reproducing only a portion of the design, the stencils may need to be applied in a specific sequence and/or precisely aligned or oriented to create the entire design. Applying masking techniques can be time consuming and laborious. For example, some masking techniques require the user to cover certain parts of a stencil with removable tape during the inking process and to reposition the tape multiple times during multiple rounds of inking to create a multicolored design.
There is a need for easy to use and inexpensive tools that enable a user (e.g. a crafter, a lay person or a child) to create more elaborate designs using stencils. There is also a need for tools that enable a user to create multicolored designs without the need to apply masking techniques. There is also a need for tools that enable a user to create multiple different designs or images using the same stencil.
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.
The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools, kits and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.
One aspect of the invention relates to a stencil kit that enables a user to make patterns on a canvas. The stencil kit comprises a stencil base having a circular shaped cut-out region, one or more circular shaped canvas positioners having an opening, and one or more guide rings. The stencil base has one or more sets of scales spaced circumferentially around the cut-out region. Each guide ring has a radial array of guide lines spaced circumferentially around the guide ring at angular intervals corresponding to angular intervals formed between the scales of the stencil base. Each canvas positioner may be inserted into the cut-out region to guide the user to position the canvas in a desired location within the cut-out region. Each guide ring may be inserted into the cut-out region to define an inking region for receiving a circular shaped stencil when the guide ring is inserted in the cut-out region.
In some embodiments, the stencil kit includes one or more circular shaped stencils. These circular shaped stencils may comprise a marker located at their circumferential edge. The user may align the marker with the scales when the stencil is inserted in the inking region to orient the stencil in desired orientations within the inking region.
In some embodiments, the stencil base comprises four sets of scales and each set of scales is spaced circumferentially around the cut-out region at a radial distance that is different from the other sets of scales. The scales that form a set may be evenly spaced around the cut-out region. The first set of scales may comprise eight evenly spaced first scales. The second set of scales may comprise twelve evenly spaced second scales. The third set of scales may comprise sixteen evenly spaced third scales. The fourth set of scales may comprise twenty-four evenly spaced fourth scales. Scales from different sets may be depicted by different symbols. In some embodiments, scales from different sets are aligned radially at the 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions of the stencil base.
In some embodiments, the guide rings have an outer diameter that is the same as the diameter of the circular shaped cut-out region. The outer diameter of the guide rings may be in the range of 10″ to 12″. The guide rings may each have a different inner diameter for receiving different sized stencils.
In some embodiments, the canvas positioners have an outer diameter that is the same as the diameter of the circular shaped cut-out region. The outer diameter of the canvas positioners may be in the range of 10″ to 12″. The canvas positioners may each have a different sized opening for receiving different sized canvases. The opening of the canvas positioners may be square or rectangular shaped.
In some embodiments, the stencil base, the canvas positioners, and the guide rings are made of polyethylene terephthalate glycol. The stencil base may be made of transparent polyethylene terephthalate glycol and the scales may be printed on a back surface of the stencil base over a white background. Similarly, the guide rings may be made of transparent polyethylene terephthalate glycol and the radial array of guidelines may be printed on a back surface of guide rings over a white background.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of using the stencil kit described herein. The method comprises placing the stencil base on a work surface followed by inserting a canvas positioner in the cut-out region of the stencil base. A canvas is placed in the opening of the canvas positioner and on the work surface. The canvas positioner is removed afterwards. Next, a guide ring is inserted in the cut-out region to define an inking region within the cut-out region. A stencil is then placed in the inking region and on top of at least part of the canvas. Optionally, the stencil may be coupled to the guide ring. The stencil or the guide ring and stencil coupled thereto are rotated to a desired orientation by referencing the scales of the stencil base. After rotating the stencil to a desired orientation, ink is applied through stencil to create a pattern on the canvas.
In some embodiments, the method comprises repeating the steps of rotating the stencil to a desired orientation by referencing the scales and applying ink through the stencil to create a desired pattern on the canvas. In some embodiments, the stencil is formed by cutting out a portion of a card stock using a coordinating die of a stamp. In some embodiments, ink is applied through the stencil by using the stamp to imprint the pattern through the stencil.
Another aspect of the invention relates to another method of using the stencil kit described herein. The method comprises placing the stencil base on a work surface followed by inserting a canvas positioner in the cut-out region. A canvas is inserted in the opening and on the work surface. The canvas positioner is removed afterwards. Next, a rectangular shaped stencil is coupled to the canvas positioner or another canvas positioner. This canvas positioner and the rectangular shaped stencil coupled thereto are placed in the cut-out region to thereby position the rectangular shaped stencil on top of at least part of the canvas. The canvas positioner and stencil coupled thereto are rotated to a desired orientation by referencing the scales of the stencil base. After rotating the stencil to a desired orientation, ink is applied through stencil to create a pattern on the canvas.
In accordance with aspects of the invention, stencil kit described herein allows a user to build multi-colored wreaths with a single stencil and without the need for tracking or masking, and without the need to clean the stencil during the whole process.
In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.
Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.
Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
One aspect of the invention provides a stencil kit comprising various tools that may be used together with a stencil to enable a user (e.g. an artist, a lay person, a child, etc.) to easily create elaborate and/or multicolored designs on a canvas. Unless context dictates otherwise, the term “stencil” (as used herein) refers to a thin sheet of material (e.g. cardboard, metal, plastics, polymeric materials, etc.) with patterns or designs cut out of the sheet. Unless context dictates otherwise, the term “canvas” (as used herein) refers to the surface of a substrate such as paper, cloth, cardstock, or the like. In accordance with aspects of the invention, the stencil kit described herein may be adapted for use with either square or rectangular shaped stencils that are available in the market or customized circular shaped stencils that may be included as part of the stencil kit or provided separately from the stencil kit.
Stencil base 12, canvas positioners 20 and/or guide rings 30 may be made of materials such as lightweight plastic, Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), or the like. These materials are durable, flexible and pliable. These materials can also provide strong resistance to impact. Stencil base 12, canvas positioners 20 and/or guide rings 30 are typically about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm thick (including any thickness value therebetween, e.g. 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm or 2.5 mm) although thicknesses outside of this range are possible.
Stencil kit 10 may be used with stencils 4 to create distinctly designed stencil patterns on canvas 2 (e.g. by repeating the steps of applying ink over stencil 4 onto canvas 2 and rotating stencil 4 at regular angular turning intervals). Stencil kit 10 may be used with customized stencils 4A (e.g. stencils that have a circular perimeter) and/or stencils 4B that are available in the market (e.g. stencils that have a square or rectangular perimeter) as discussed in more detail elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, stencil kit 10 includes one or more customized stencils 4A.
The one or more sets 16 of scales 17 may be printed directly on a front surface of frame 13 or, preferably, on a back surface of frame 13. That is, frame 13 may be made of a transparent material and the one or more sets 16 of scales 17 may be printed on the back surface (instead of on the front surface) of frame 13 and, optionally, over a white background. This can improve the visibility of scales 17 and prevent the scales 17 from coming off of stencil base 12 due to wear and tear on the front surface of stencil base 12.
Each set 16 of scales 17 may include distinctive visual identifiers and/or may be located at distinctive spatial locations on stencil base 12 to help a user identify scales 17 belonging to a set 16. For example, each of the scales 17 that form a set 16 may be located at the same radial distance away from the center of cut-out region 14 as shown in
In some embodiments, each set 16 of scales 17 is provided to define a specific turning interval (e.g. 15°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°, etc.) that may be conveniently referenced by a user when the user is using stencil kit 10. For example, a user may reference the scales 17 from a set 16 and rotate stencil 4 (which is inserted in the cut-out region 14) by the turning interval corresponding to the set 16 (e.g. by aligning a marker of stencil 4 with different scales 17 from a set 16 each time stencil 4 is rotated).
In accordance with aspects of the invention, the scales 17 of stencil base 12 enables a user to create elaborate and/or multicolored designs on canvas 2 by repeating the steps of rotating stencil 4 to a desired angle or orientation followed up applying ink over stencil 4 onto canvas 2. Scales 17 enable any user (e.g. a crafter, a layer person, etc.) to consistently and precisely rotate stencil 4 to a desired orientation or angle by rotating stencil 4 until a marker of stencil 4 is aligned with a scale 17. Since scales 17 from a set 16 are marked at locations that define a specific turning interval, a user may rotate stencil 4 by a desired turning interval by rotating stencil 4 between adjacent scales 17 from the same set 16.
To aid in visualization stencil base 12 may optionally comprise one or more rings 18 corresponding to the one or more sets 16 of scales 17 (i.e. stencil base 12 may include a ring 18 for each set 16 of scales 17). Rings 18 may be printed directly on the front surface of frame 13 or, preferably, on the back surface of frame 13. Each set 16 of scales 17 may be marked on a corresponding ring 18 as shown in
Stencil base 12 may also optionally include one or more lines 19 (e.g. dotted lines as shown in
Stencil base 12 may comprise any number (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) of sets 16 of scales 17 and, optionally, any corresponding number of rings 18. In the example embodiment shown in
As shown in
In a currently preferred embodiment, scales 17 that form a set 16 are spaced evenly around the circumference of cut-out region 14. In these embodiments, the number of scales 17 in a set 16 defines the turning interval provide by the set 16 so the number of sets 16 of scales 17 may be selected or otherwise customized (e.g. during production of stencil kit 10) based on the number of turning intervals desired to be provided.
In some embodiments, scales 17 from different sets 16 are radially aligned with each other at one or more specific locations around cut-out region 14. For example, stencil base 12 may comprise four sets 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D of scales 17, and scales 17 from all of the different sets 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D may be radially aligned at the 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 9 o'clock positions as shown in
In some embodiments, some sets 16 of scales 17 may include two or more subsets 16-1, 16-2. For example, first set 16A of scales 17A may include a first subset 16A-1 of scales 17A-1 and a second subset 16A-2 of scales 17A-2 as shown in
Advantageously, the subsets can help a user keep track of which rotation they are on during stenciling to avoid the need to clean stencil 4 after every turn (to avoid color contamination) if the user wishes to apply alternating colors through the stencil pattern after each rotation. That is, the subsets allow a user to apply a first color through stencil 4 by making reference to a first subset, clean the stencil once, and subsequently apply a second color through stencil 4 by making reference to a second subset.
Stencil kit 10 typically includes one or more canvas positioners 20. Each canvas positioner 20 may have a different sized opening 22 (compared to the other canvas positioners 20 included in stencil kit 10) to receive different sized canvases 2. Although not necessary, stencil kit 10 typically includes canvas positioners 20 that have a square or rectangular shaped opening 22 to receive a square or rectangular shaped canvas 2. The size of openings 22 may correspond to common card sizes. For example, stencil kit 10 may include a first canvas positioner 20A having a 4¼′ by 5½″ opening 22A as shown in
In some embodiments, canvas positioner 20 includes a marker 25 printed or otherwise marked directly on canvas positioner 20. Although not necessary, marker 25 is typically located near the circumferential edge of canvas positioner 20 as shown in
Guide ring 30 may be removably inserted in cut-out region 14 (e.g. see
Guide ring 30 comprises guide lines 35 that extend radially and are spaced circumferentially around guide ring 30. In other words, guide ring 30 comprises a radial array of guide lines 35. Guide lines 35 may be printed directly on a front surface of guide ring 30 or, preferably, on a back surface of guide ring 30. Guide lines 35 may be spaced circumferentially around guide ring 30 at angular intervals corresponding to the angular intervals A formed between circumferentially adjacent ones of scales 17. That is, guide lines 35 may be provided at locations around guide ring 30 that corresponds to the locations of scales 17 (i.e. each guide line 35 may be aligned with a corresponding line 19 or scale 17 of stencil base 12 when guide ring 30 is inserted in cut-out region 14). Guide lines 35 may be dashed as shown in
In some embodiments, guide ring 30 comprises one or more hatched regions 36 provided to indicate suggested location(s) for placement of removable fasteners (e.g. tapes or the like) that help secure guide ring 30 to stencil base 12 or to a work surface supporting stencil base 12. For example, guide ring 30 may comprise four hatched regions 36 located at the 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 9 o'clock positions as shown in
In some embodiments, guide ring 30 comprises a marker 37 printed or otherwise marked directly on guide ring 30. Although not necessary, marker 37 is typically located near the outer circumferential edge of guide ring 30. Marker 37 may be embodied as an arrow located at an end of a guide line 35 as shown in
Stencil kit 10 typically includes one or more guide rings 30. Stencil kit 10 may include guide rings 30 that have the same outer diameter 33, but different inner diameters 31 for use with different sized stencils 4A. For example, stencil kit 10 may include a first guide ring 30 having an 8″ inner diameter 31A for use with a circular stencil 4A having an 8″ diameter as shown in
Optional step 115 comprises selecting a canvas positioner 20 having a suitably sized opening 22 (e.g. an opening 22 having dimensions that match the dimensions of canvas 2) and inserting the selected canvas positioner 20 in cut-out region 14. This can help guide a user position canvas 2 at a desired location (e.g. the center of cut-out region 14) within cut-out region 14 (i.e. by placing canvas 2 in opening 22 and subsequently removing canvas positioner 20 from cut-out region 14) in step 120.
Step 120 comprises positioning canvas 2 in a desired location within cut-out region 14 on the work surface. Canvas 2 may be temporarily adhered (e.g. taped, glued, etc.) to the work surface at step 120. If step 115 is performed, step 120 may also comprise rotating canvas positioner 20 after it has been inserted in cut-out region 14 to help a user orient canvas 2 in a desired orientation within cut-out region 14.
If step 115 is performed, method 100A proceeds to optional step 125 after step 120. Optional step 125 comprises removing canvas positioner 20 from cut-out region 14. For example, step 115 may comprise inserting first canvas positioner 20A having a 4¼″ by 5½″ opening 22 in cut-out region 14, step 120 may comprise placing a 4¼″ by 5½″ canvas 2 in the opening 22, and step 125 may comprise removing first canvas positioner 20A from cut-out region 14.
After positioning canvas 2 at a desired location and/or orienting canvas 2 in a desired orientation within cut-out region 14, method 100A proceeds to step 130. Step 130 comprises selecting a suitably sized guide ring 30 (i.e. a ring guide 30 having an inner diameter 31 that is about the same as the diameter of the circular stencil 4A desired to be used) and coupling the selected guide ring 30 to stencil base 12. Coupling guide ring 30 to stencil base 12 comprises inserting guide ring 30 into cut-out region 14. In some embodiments, coupling guide ring 30 to stencil base 12 further comprises rotating guide ring 30 (e.g. after it has been inserted in cut-out region 14) to align the radial array of guide lines 35 of guide ring 30 with the scales 17 of stencil base 12 and temporarily adhering (e.g. via tape) guide ring 30 to stencil base 12 or to the work surface after aligning guide lines 35 with scales 17. In other embodiments, guide ring 30 is not adhered to stencil base 12 or the work surface and is allowed to freely rotate in cut-out region 14. Guide ring 30 may encircle or partially cover canvas 2 when it is coupled to stencil base 12.
After coupling guide ring 30 to stencil base 12, method 100A proceeds to step 140. Step 140 comprises selecting a suitably sized circular shaped stencil 4A (i.e. a circular shaped stencil 4A having a diameter that is about the same as the inner diameter 31 of the guide ring 30 coupled to stencil base 12) and placing the selected stencil 4A in the inking region 32 defined by guide ring 30 (e.g. see
After placing stencil 4A in inking region 32, method 100A proceeds to step 150. Step 150 comprises applying ink (e.g. dye ink, water-based ink) through stencil 4A to create a pattern on canvas 2. Ink may be applied by using a blending brush or an ink dabber to blend or dab the ink through stencil 4A onto canvas 2.
After applying ink through stencil 4A in step 150, method 100A proceeds to decision step 160. If the user determines that a desired design has been created on canvas 2 at step 160, then method 100A proceeds to step 180. If the user determines that the pattern created on canvas 2 is not the final desired design, then method 100A proceeds to step 170.
Step 170 comprises rotating stencil 4A to a desired angle or orientation (i.e. an angle or orientation that is different from the current angle or orientation). In embodiments where stencil 4A is temporarily adhered to guide ring 30, step 170 comprises rotating the guide ring 30 and stencil 4A together. Stencil 4A may be rotated to a desired angle by aligning a marker 5 on stencil 4A (e.g. when stencil 4A is allowed to rotated relative to guide ring 30) or marker 37 on guide ring 30 (e.g. when stencil 4A is temporarily adhered to guide ring 30) with a scale 17 of stencil base 12. For example, step 170 may comprise rotating guide ring 30 and stencil 4A together to align marker 37 with a first scale 17A from a first set 16A located at the 3 o'clock position.
After rotating stencil 4A to a desired angle or orientation in step 170, method 100A proceeds back to inking step 150 for another round of inking. A user may determine at step 160 that a desired design has been created on canvas 2 after one or more rounds of inking, whereupon method 100A proceeds to step 180.
Step 180 comprises removing stencil 4A and guide ring 30 from cut-out region 14. After removing stencil 4A and guide ring 30 from cut-out region 14, method 100A proceeds to step 190 where canvas 2 is removed from cut-out region 14.
Advantageously method 100A allows any user (e.g. a crafter) to create beautiful patterns or designs on canvas 2 by repeating the steps of rotating stencil 4A in step 150 followed by applying ink through stencil 4A in step 160. Each repetition of step 150 may comprise rotating stencil 4A to align a marker 5 of stencil 4A (or marker 37 if stencil 4A is temporarily adhered to guide ring 30) with a scale 17 from a set 16 or a subset 16-1, 16-2. For example, method 100A may comprise repeating steps 150 and 160 four times and each repetition of step 150 may comprise rotating stencil 4A by aligning marker 37 with a scale 17 from subset 16A-1 of set 16 to thereby rotate stencil 4A by 90° for each repetition of step 150. Each repetition of step 160 may optionally comprise applying ink of a different color than the ink that was applied in the previous repetition.
Method 100A also allows a user to rotate stencil 4A consistently by certain angles (e.g. 15°, 30°, 45°, 90°, etc.) by rotating stencil 4A to align a marker 5 of stencil 4A (or marker 37 if stencil 4A is temporarily adhered to guide ring 30) with an adjacent scale 17 from the same set 16 or subset 16-1. This enables the user to create different geometric and/or radially symmetric design on canvas 2 using only a single stencil 4A.
Advantageously, stencil kit 10 can also minimize the need for a user to clean stencils 4 during a particular work session, especially in cases where it is desirable to apply different colors through stencil 4 onto canvas 2, thereby saving the user time.
A wide range of variations and/or supplementary features are possible within the scope of the present invention. These variations and/or supplementary features may be applied to all of the embodiments described above, as suited, and include, without limitation:
While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are consistent with the broadest interpretation of the specification as a whole.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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8590448 | Swisher | Nov 2013 | B2 |
9597909 | Myska | Mar 2017 | B2 |
10513135 | Gessner | Dec 2019 | B1 |
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