EP4137328A1 - 3d popup card with material figure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a 3D pop-up card with a fabric figure (3) that can be reversibly converted from a flat, compressed state into a three-dimensional expanded state, and with a foldable base (5) that can be reversibly converted from a flat, compressed state into a three-dimensional expanded state, and a foldable card (2) having an inside and an outside which can be reversibly changed from a folded closed state to an unfolded open state, the foldable base (5) on the inside of the foldable card (2) is fixed and wherein the fabric figure (3) is fixed to the foldable base (5), and wherein the card (2) comprises an additional support element (6) which is arranged inside the base (5) and the base (5) when the map (2) is open, supports it from the inside.

Description

The invention relates to a 3D pop-up card with a fabric figure.

3D pop-up cards, which are simply referred to as 3D cards below, have been known in various designs for a long time and essentially comprise a card that is usually simply folded as a base, referred to below as card, and one inside this card arranged figure. The essential function of such a 3D map is that an initially essentially two-dimensionally compressed figure rises three-dimensionally from the map plane when the folded map is opened.

Corresponding 3D maps can preferably be opened from a closed state by unfolding the two foldable map parts by a total of 180° into a flat plane.

The underlying mechanism is that the compressed figure is fixed in the card in such a way that opening the folded card applies a tensile stress to the figure, which transforms the figure from the compressed to the three-dimensional or expanded shape.

Despite increasing digitization, corresponding 3D maps are still very popular. The demand for new shapes and designs is unbroken.

At the same time, in view of the digital greeting card offers that are often available free of charge, there is enormous cost and innovation pressure on the providers of the corresponding 3D cards.

A new idea is to make the three-dimensional figure out of fabric. The construction of such a 3D card with a fabric figure thus requires, on the one hand, the formation of this fabric figure, which can be converted from a compressed two-dimensional to a three-dimensional state, and, on the other hand, the possibility of fastening this figure inside the card.

Unlike the three-dimensional figures made of paper or similarly stiff materials known from other 3D cards, the fabric figure will not assume a stable three-dimensional shape when the card is unfolded, but will at least partially collapse.

So far no satisfactory, namely a stable and at the same time inexpensive and space-saving construction is known to attach a fabric figure expandable in a 3D map.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a construction that allows fabric figures to be attached to a 3D map.

This object is achieved by an invention having the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations are the subject matter of the dependent claims. It should be pointed out that the features listed individually in the claims can also be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful manner and thus show further refinements of the invention.

The 3D pop-up card according to the invention comprises a fabric figure, which can be reversibly converted from a flat, compressed state into a three-dimensional expanded state, and a foldable base, which can be reversibly converted from a flat, compressed state into a three-dimensional expanded state, and a foldable card with a Inside and an outside that can be reversibly transferred from a folded closed state to an unfolded open state, the foldable base being fixed to the inside of the foldable card and the foldable figure being fixed to the foldable base and the card comprising an additional support element , which is arranged inside the socket and supports the socket from the inside when the card is in the unfolded state.

The fabric figure can be made of any material. The term fabric is to be understood broadly as used herein and includes any woven, warp-knitted, knitted or other textile. Of course, non-textile decorations can also be provided on the fabric figure, for example made of metal, plastic or glass. The possibilities of corresponding decorations cannot be listed conclusively at this point and ultimately are also not relevant to the invention.

An essential idea of the invention lies in the attachment of a base with an additional support element, with the support element being provided within the base, preferably on the center line of the foldable card, and with the foldable fabric figure being attachable to the base.

The problem with using a fabric figure as a 3D figure in a folding card is the complete and even unfolding of the folded fabric figure when the card is opened, since a fabric figure alone does not have sufficient rigidity to be three-dimensional because of its usually rather soft and unstable textile material maintain its shape independently when unfolded.

The base with support element solves this problem. The expansion of the fabric figure is triggered directly by the expansion of the base.

The 3D card according to the invention therefore comprises three foldable elements, namely the actual three-dimensional fabric figure, the base with the support element and the foldable card.

The foldable elements can each be reversibly converted or transformed from a folded or compressed state into an unfolded or expanded state. The transformation is triggered by opening or closing the foldable card.

The map (or the 3D map or 3D pop-up map) should be regarded as open if the opened map forms a flat plane, i.e. the two parts or halves of the map have been opened by a total angle of 180° and are next to each other in lie on one level. On the other hand, the card should be regarded as closed when the two parts or halves of the card are on top of each other and their insides are on top of each other.

The 3D card has an outside and an inside, with the base being fixed on the inside and the base and the cloth figure being located between the insides of the folded card when the card is closed.

The card is preferably provided in at least two layers with an outer layer and an inner layer. Such a double-layer design of the card is advantageous in order to be able to sandwich the electronics to be described in more detail below between the two layers and thus to be able to hide them.

Such a double-layer card is preferably obtainable by folding a card originally provided from four sections lying next to one another. Such an original map accordingly comprises four sections, namely two outside and two inside sections. This original card is preferably provided in one piece with an outside and an inside, but variants are also conceivable in which the original card is composed of several parts. For example, individual, several or all sections can only be connected to one another secondarily, for example by adhesive connections.

Preferably, the two sections on the outside and the two sections on the inside correspond in their contours, with the outer section being folded over onto the adjacent inner section.

Accordingly, a double-layered map is obtained, the visible areas of which correspond to the outside of the original map, whereas the inside of the original map lies between the folded sections.

Accordingly, it is sufficient to print the original card only on the outside in order to obtain a double-layered card after turning over the sections, which is printed on all visible surfaces.

The sections of the card can include recesses and slots in order to define and place further elements, such as the base, the support element or other light and sound effects in or on the card.

The base preferably essentially has the basic shape of the fabric figure. If the fabric figure is provided in the form of a cone, the base is also provided in the form of a cone. If the fabric figure is cylindrical, the base is also cylindrical, etc.

The base can preferably be fixed in the card slots provided for this purpose by means of fastening elements, for example tabs. Alternatively, the base can also be attached directly to the inside of the card, for example by gluing the fastening elements to the inside of the card.

The fabric figure can preferably be fixed to the base by known adhesives. When the card is closed, both the three-dimensional fabric figure and the base are converted into an essentially flat, two-dimensional shape.

In order to be able to reduce the material of the base as far as possible and still create sufficient stability, it is sufficient in the construction according to the invention with a base and additional support element to manufacture the base from a rather thin but sufficiently rigid material and only the support element from a comparatively stable material. For example, the base can be made of a flexible film or paper, but the support element should be made of a stronger plastic, such as PET, or cardboard, for example, and cannot be bent so easily.

The support element is essentially flat and can be provided in one piece. Its outline preferably corresponds to the axial longitudinal section through the erected base. So, for a base in the shape of an acute cone, the shape of the support element would be an isosceles triangle, for a truncated cone a trapezium, for a cube a square, etc.

The support element itself is preferably provided in at least two parts and, in addition to the actual support element described above, also includes a reinforcement element. The reinforcement element is connected to the support element.

In such a two-part construction, the material of the actual support element can also be rather thin and can be made of paper, for example, since the overall construction of support element and reinforcement element is given the required strength primarily by the reinforcement element. The shape of the reinforcement element follows the shape of the support element.

Preferably, the support element comprises fastening elements on the lower side that is to be connected to the card, which enable a more stable connection between the support element and the card. The support element is preferably fixed solely to the card.

Various recesses can be provided to fix or pass through further elements on the support element, for example light elements or a corresponding wiring.

In particular on the reinforcing element but also or alternatively on the support element itself, extensions can be provided which protrude beyond the actual outline of the support element as described above and in particular can only protrude from the base and accordingly from the fabric figure when the card is opened. The extension or elements attached to it protrude from the fabric figure when the card is open.

For example, the fabric figure can represent a cake from which a candle attached to the extension protrudes only when the card is opened. The candle is correspondingly fixed to an extension of the reinforcement element and/or the support element. Many other combinations of fabric figures and other gimmicks on the corresponding extensions are conceivable.

In addition to the fabric figure, the card preferably includes other light effects and acoustic effects that are triggered by opening the card.

To this end, the card includes conventional electronic elements such as a power supply, a switch, an integrated circuit for controlling the electronic elements, and a number of light elements and acoustic elements. The electronic elements, with the exception of the light and acoustic elements, are preferably arranged on a printed circuit board.

Preferred light elements are LEDs, with any color and number of LEDs being possible. Loudspeakers are preferred acoustic elements. The light and acoustic elements are intended to output specific optical and acoustic stimuli. A preferred power supply is batteries or rechargeable batteries.

The switch is used to activate the electronics when opening the 3D map, to open and/or the open state of the 3D map with the unfolded To supplement the figure with visual and acoustic stimuli. Accordingly, all switch types as well as light or motion sensors are suitable, which enable the electronics to be activated by opening the card. Corresponding switches and sensors are known to those skilled in the art.

The 3D pop-up card according to the invention has the advantage that the fabric figure is significantly more dimensionally stable when set up due to the base and the reinforcement. Due to the inventive construction of the base with an additional reinforcement, an extremely material-saving and nevertheless stable design is also possible.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be pointed out that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiment variant shown. In particular, the invention includes any combination of the technical features that are listed in the claims or described as relevant to the invention in the description, insofar as this is technically reasonable.

Fig. 1

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der 3D Karte mit Stofffigur;

Fig. 2

die bevorzugte Ausführungsform der 3D Karte mit einem Längsschnitt durch die Stofffigur, den Sockel und das Stützelement;

Fig. 3

die einzelnen Elemente der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der 3D Karte;

Fig. 4

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Karte;

Fig. 5

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des Sockels;

Fig. 6

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des Stützelements und des Verstärkungselements;

Fig. 7

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des Stützelements mit Verstärkungselement und Lichtelement;

Fig. 8

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des elektronischen Schaltkreises.

Show it:

1

a preferred embodiment of the 3D card with fabric figure;

2

the preferred embodiment of the 3D card with a longitudinal section through the fabric figure, the base and the support element;

3

the individual elements of the preferred embodiment of the 3D map;

4

a preferred embodiment of the card;

figure 5

a preferred embodiment of the base;

6

a preferred embodiment of the support member and the reinforcement member;

7

a preferred embodiment of the support element with reinforcement element and light element;

8

a preferred embodiment of the electronic circuit.

figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the 3D card 1 with fabric figure 3. The fabric figure 3 is arranged together with a light element 4 on the inner surface, which is formed by the two halves 2A, 2B of the foldable card 2. In the illustrated unfolded state, the two halves 2A, 2B of the foldable card 2 form a flat plane, from which the fabric figure 3 with a light element 4 protrudes. A few first recesses 8 are provided on the inner surface, which enable further light effects to be provided by light elements (LEDs) that can be attached there.

figure 2 shows the preferred embodiment of the 3D map 1 according to FIG figure 1 , wherein a longitudinal section through the fabric figure 3 is shown. In the longitudinal section, the inner construction within the fabric figure 3 can be seen. This internal construction includes a cone-shaped base 5 and an additional support element 6.

The conical base 5 comprises second fastening means 5C, with which the base 5 can be fixed on the inside of the card 2 and preferably on slots 7 provided for this purpose.

The additional supporting element 6 is provided inside the conical base 5 . The shape of the support element 6 essentially corresponds to the sectional area of a longitudinal section through the blunt conical base 5, ie in the present case it is trapezoidal.

The additional support member 6 is provided along the center line M of the card 2 .

figure 3 shows individual elements that make up the 3D map 1 ( figure 1 ) is assembled, namely the card 2 with the two halves 2A, 2B and the support element 6 arranged between the two halves 2A, 2B with the light element 4 as well as the base 5 with the two second fastening means 5C and the fabric figure 3.

The combination of support element 6, reinforcement 10 ( figure 6 ) and light element 4 forms the reinforced illuminated support element 6".

The support element 6 or the reinforced, illuminated support element 6" is provided centrally on the inside of the card 2 between the two halves 2A, 2B. When the card 2 is in the open state, it protrudes perpendicularly from the card 2, when the card 2 is in the folded state (not shown) it lies flat between both halves 2A, 2B of the card 2.

In its expanded form, the base 5 preferably follows the shape of the expanded fabric figure 3 in order to fulfill the best possible support function, ie to keep the fabric figure 3 in its intended expanded form.

To mount the 3D map, the base 5 is pushed over the support element 6 with the light element 4 and fixed with the second fastening means 5C on the inside of the map 2 on slots 7 provided for this purpose.

The fabric figure 3 is then pushed over the base 5 and fixed to it, for example glued to it.

figure 4 shows a preferred and inexpensive to produce embodiment of the foldable card 2. How Figure 4A shows, the card 2 is made in one piece and, in its unassembled form, comprises four sections I to IV arranged next to one another, with sections I and IV as well as II and III corresponding in size. Sections I and IV are somewhat narrower designated as Sections II and III. In addition, sections I and IV each include a second recess 9 on their outer edge.

How Figure 4B shows, card 2 is assembled by folding section I to section II and section IV to section III. Correspondingly, the outer edges with the second recesses 9 of sections I and IV face each other at the center line M of the card with a small gap. During further assembly, the support element 6 or ultimately the reinforced support element with the light element 6" is fixed in this gap or the second recesses 9.

figure 5 shows the details of the base 5 with the base body 5A, the first fastening element 5B and the second fastening elements 5C once in the unassembled and in the assembled state. The base 5 is present - according to the fabric figure - designed conically with an open upper end for the passage of the light element 4 ( figure 3 ).

figure 6 shows the details of the support element 6 with the fastening elements 6A and the recess 6B as well as the reinforcement element 10 with the reinforcement body 10A and the extension 10B once in the unassembled and in the assembled state. The support element 6 is present - according to the shape of the base 5 ( figure 5 ) - trapezoidal in shape

The fasteners 6A are used to fix the support member 6 to the card 2 ( figure 2 ) intended. The cutouts 6B are provided for the optional passage of connections of a light element (not shown).

The support element 6 preferably comprises two congruent elements that can be folded onto one another, it being possible for the optional reinforcement element 10 to be provided arranged between the two elements. The outline of the body 10A of the reinforcement element 10 essentially corresponds to the outline of the support element 6.

As shown, the reinforcing element 10 can comprise an extension 10B which can be used for attaching, for example, a light element 4 ( figure 1 ) is provided. The connection of support element 6 and reinforcement element 10 is a reinforced support element 6'.

figure 7 shows the details of the light element 4 and the final construction of the reinforced, illuminated support element 6" comprising the light element 4 and the reinforced support element 6'. The light element 4 can, as shown in the example of a candle, consist of the light element body 4A, an effect element 4B - the in the present case imitates a flame due to its shape, a shielding element 4C and a light source (LED) 4D The shielding element 4C is provided so that the light from the LED 4D can only be perceived through the effect element 4B.

The light-emitting element 4 is preferably fixed to the extension 10B of the reinforcement element 10 .

figure 8 shows a preferred circuit diagram 11 for the electronics of the inventive 3D card 1 ( figure 1 ) with a power supply 16, a switch 12, an integrated circuit or a microprocessor 13 and a number of light elements 14 and acoustic elements 15. Preferably, all the elements mentioned with the exception of the light and optionally the acoustic elements 14, 15 are arranged on a printed circuit board.

Preferred light elements 14 are LEDs, with any color and number of LEDs being possible. Preferred acoustic elements 15 are loudspeakers. The light and acoustic elements 14, 15 are intended to output certain optical and acoustic stimuli. A preferred power supply 16 are batteries or rechargeable batteries.

The switch 12 is used to activate the electronics when the 3D card is opened, in order to supplement the opening and the open state of the 3D card with the unfolded figure with optical and acoustic stimuli. Accordingly, all switch types that enable the electronics to be activated by opening the card are suitable. Corresponding switches are known to those skilled in the art.

reference list

1

3D pop up card

2

foldable card (2A: first half; 2B: second half)

3

Cloth figure (three-dimensional)

4

Light element (4A: light element body; 4B: effect element; 4C: shielding element; 4D: illuminant, LED)

5

Socket (5A: socket body; 5B: first fastener; 5C: second fastener)

6

Support member (6A: fastener; 6B: recess; 6': reinforced support member; 6: reinforced lighted support member)

7

inset

8th

first recess

9

second recess

10

Reinforcing member (10A: body; 10B: appendage)

11

circuit

12

Switch

13

microprocessor (IC)

14

illuminant (LED)

15

acoustic element (loudspeaker)

16

power supply

M

centerline

I - IV

sections of the map

Claims (9)

3D pop-up card with a fabric figure (3), which can be reversibly converted from a flat, compressed state into a three-dimensional, expanded state, and a foldable base (5), which can be reversibly converted from a flat, compressed state into a three-dimensional, expanded state, and a foldable card (2) having an inner side and an outer side which can be reversibly transferred from a folded closed state to an unfolded open state, the foldable base (5) being fixed to the inner side of the foldable card (2) and the Cloth figure (3) is fixed to the foldable base (5), characterized in that the card (2) comprises an additional support element (6) which is arranged inside the base (5) and the base (5) in the unfolded state the card (2) supports from the inside. 3D pop-up card according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional support element (6) is fixed solely to the card (2). 3D pop-up card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the additional support element (6) comprises a material which is more dimensionally stable than the material from which the base (5) is made. 3D pop-up card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (5) is conical in the expanded state and has a round outline. 3D pop-up card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card (2) also has light and acoustic elements (14, 15), a switch (12) for activating the light and acoustic elements (14, 15), a circuit or a microprocessor (13) for controlling the electrical components and a power supply (16). 3D pop-up card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card (2) is divided into two halves (2A, 2B) which are intended to be folded onto one another and the halves (2A, 2B) are double-layered with an inner and an outer layer are provided. 3D pop-up card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (6) comprises an extension, the extension protruding from the fabric figure (3) when the card (2) is open. 3D pop-up card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (6) comprises a reinforcing element (10). 3D pop-up card according to claim 8, characterized in that the reinforcing element (10) comprises a body (10A) and an extension (10B), the extension protruding from the fabric figure (3) when the card (2) is open.

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