GB2256171A - Three dimensional greetings card or other ornamental structure. - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable three dimensional structure 1 is formed from a sheet of material having a longitudinal fold 6 and a plurality of lateral folds 7a, 7b extending to the sheet edges. The positioning of the folds is such that a concertina-type three dimensional structure (Fig 2) is formed from the sheet. The structure may have means (15, Fig. 3) to limit the extent of unfolding of the sheet. The sheet may have cuts 9 made into it to define portions of the sheet which can be folded out of the plane of the sheet. In addition the structure may comprise two or more connected sheets. <IMAGE>

Description

ORNAMENTAL STRUCTURE This invention relates to an ornamental structure. In particular it relates to an ornamental structure, such as a greetings card, for example, which is arranged to take a first position which is generally flat to enable the structure to be inserted into an envelope and a second position of a generally three dimensional nature in which the structure is self supporting when removed from the envelope.

The term 'ornamental structure' is intended to be construed widely and to include, inter alia, structures upon which information is presented, such as greetings cards, business cards, calenders or advertising devices for example, or purely decorative structures.

According to the present invention there is provided an ornamental structure, comprising a sheet having a longitudinal fold line and a plurality of fold lines extending generally between lateral edges of the sheet, the fold lines on each side of the longitudinal fold line forming respective sets of fold lines, the sheet being arranged to be folded such that upon folding the sheet about the longitudinal line the sheet folds at each successive transversely oriented fold line to form a concertinaed structure which can be opened from a substantially planar first position at which the sheet is folded upon itself to fit within an envelope to an open structure of greater longitudinal length in which portions of the sheet lie in a plurality of planes.

Preferably, one or more cuts are made in the sheet such that when the sheet is folded into a position other than one in which it is completely folded, one or more parts defined by said cuts lie in a plane which protrudes in front of at least a second plane.

Embodiments of the invention in the form of greetings cards will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a blank forming the body of a greetings card; Figure 2 shows the blank of Figure 1 in a partially folded position; Figure 3 shows a means for limiting the degree of opening of a greetings card; Figure 4 shows schematically a more detailed blank having an artistic design applied to it; Figure 5 shows a side view of the blank of Figure 4 when fully folded to fit within an envelope; Figure 6 shows a side view of an alternate embodiment, when folded to fit within an envelope; Figures 7 and 8 show a further embodiment in the form of two pieces to be assembled to form a single card; Figure 9 shows the pieces of Figures 7 and 8 when assembled;; Figure 10 shows a yet further embodiment of the invention; and Figure 11 shows the embodiment of Figure 10 when partially folded.

Referring to Figure 1, a blank to form a greetings card comprises a sheet 1 which in this example has a wider bottom end 2 than its top end 3. The blank is schematic only and in practise will be generally of a more ornate, decorative configuration. In particular, its edges may be cut, shaped or patterned. From top to bottom this schematic sheet is formed of alternate quadrilateral portions 4 and 5, which in this case are respectively rectangular and trapezoidal. Any other shapes may of course be used. The portions 4 may be divergent from bottom to top, for example. A longitudinal fold line 6 is formed through the sheet, preferably, but not necessarily, through the longitudinal axis. It should be noted that all fold lines are shown by dot-dashed lines in the Figure.A plurality of chevron shaped fold lines are made, each having their apex at the longitudinal fold line and extending to the transverse edges of the sheet, the angle at each of these fold lines being reflected about the longitudinal fold line at the apex of the chevron which it forms.

A plurality of cuts 9 can be made in the sheet.

These cuts define portions of the sheet which can be folded out of the plane of the sheet to form various shapes such as 10. As shown, the shapes may protrude from and replace part of an existing fold line, as is shown at 11, or may be at positions such as 10 between two fold lines or extending over one or more fold lines.

12 and 13 show two "overlapping" shapes which will, in use, extend partly one in front of the other. Various other shapes and configurations will be evident. In use, the sheet is folded upon itself at fold line 6 to lie generally flat, in the manner shown in Figure 2. Thus, working upwards from the base of the card, the card is folded downwards at the first fold line 7a and then upwards at the second fold line 7b. This process is continued up towards the top 3 of the card to produce a folded, concertinaed, structure which may be inserted into an envelope (not shown). As shown in the Figure, a series of planes are formed which are virtually superimposed when the card is fully folded. The main planes are formed by faces 14 of the card but other planes may be provided by the various cut out shapes such as 10 to 13.

A restricting means 15, as shown in Figure 3, may be attached to the rear surface of the card. In one form this may comprise merely a rectangular sheet which is attached at both ends to selected positions on the card back such that when fully extended the sheet 15 limits the degree of opening of the card. When the card is closed by folding inwardly the sheet 15 can also fold to accommodate this. The sheet may be conveniently attached by having projections 15a which are affixed by glueing to the sheet.

When the card is removed from an envelope and partially opened, the planes tend to move transversely apart from one another and the top of the card tends to rise higher. Thus, a concertina effect is obtained as the card is opened and the card is self supporting when opened. The cut out portions such as 9 and 10 provide further interesting decorative features, particularly when layered such as at 12 and 13.

The dashed lines on Figure 2 represent hidden lines such as hidden fold lines.

Figures 4 and 5 show one example of a decoration applied to a card having the general mechanical structure of the card of Figures 1 and 2. In this case, a floral arrangement is shown on a card. Figure 4 shows a front view of the card when the opening limiting means 15 is removed such that the front is shown flattened. In use, it would not normally be seen flattened like this.

Figure 5 shows the card when folded flat to lie within an envelope and shows how due to folding the card at various fold lines a series of overlapping planes are formed such as at 16 and 17. Some of the features, such as flowers' 18, are formed by cut outs forming intermediate planes as described.

Other separate elements of any shape may be attached to the structure to enhance aesthetic qualities.

These may be attached by glue, twine or any other suitable means.

Many variations are possible in different embodiments of the invention, as will be appreciated. In some embodiments, alternate folds need not necessarily be made in the same direction, as is done in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3. In the embodiment of Figure 6 for example a first and second fold are shown at 61 and 62.

At 63, a third fold is made forwards rather than backwards (ie towards the viewer of the card in normal use). This tends to create the effect of a recessed portion in the card which, in this embodiment, is used to create the effect of a mouth, which effect is accentuated by teeth 64 formed by making cut-outs similar to cut-outs 9 in Figure 1. The lower teeth therefore project upwards and the upper teeth depend downwards, in front of the mouth. Part of the central portion 66 is formed into hands 65 and projections 67 from the bottom of the structure form feet. This card need not include an opening limiting means. When opened, the feet lie flat along the surface upon which the card stands, increasing stability and presenting a more exciting appearance (in this example, of a rodent-like creature) to the card.

In yet further embodiments, the card or other structure may be assembled from two or more major pieces.

In addition to creating more interesting layered effects this can, in certain circumstances, enable easier manufacture and/or folding of the card prior to its placing in an envelope or wallet.

Figures 7 to 9 show a two-piece embodiment. Two separate pieces 70 and 80 are treated by scoring or otherwise to produce various fold lines as indicated by dot-dashed lines. Cuts 71 are made around part of the hand portions of top piece 70, which cuts terminate in enlarged bights 72. The bights 72 serve to strengthen the edges of the cuts and to reduce tearing of the card at this point, as is well known. Such bights may be used in cut-outs in other embodiments. Complimentary tabs 81 are formed on respective side edges of lower piece 80.

During assembly, these tabs 81 are located in cut-outs 71 to join the two pieces. In the non-limiting example shown, the effect produced is of a teddy bear holding a birthday present, the tabs being hidden behind the bears hands and arms. Many other variations will be apparent.

The fold lines 73 and 74 of Figure 7 show that the pairs of fold lines need not all be of the same angle.

In the piece of Figure 8, a cut-out is also made at 82 around a corner of the 'label' reading HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Thus, when the card is folded, the label extends in a single plane.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment in which a cut 100 of relatively long length, almost forming a closed loop, is made. As shown in Figure 11, which shows both a side view and a front view from slightly above, this has the effect of producing a 'halo' effect 100 behind a piece 112. An alternative might be a rainbow for example

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. An ornamental structure, comprising a sheet having a longitudinal fold line and a plurality of second fold lines extending generally between lateral edges of the sheet, the fold lines on each side of the longitudinal fold line forming respective sets of fold lines, the sheet being arranged to be folded such that upon folding the sheet about the longitudinal line the sheet folds at each successive pair of second fold lines to form a concertinaed structure which can be opened from a substantially planar first position at which the sheet is folded upon itself to fit within an envelope to an open structure of greater longitudinal length in which portions of the sheet lie in a plurality of planes.
2. 2. A structure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sheet is folded in the same sense at each alternate lateral fold line.
3. 3. A structure as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the second fold lines are arranged at angles other than 90 to the longitudinal line.
4. 4. A structure as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the second fold lines form chevrons, having their apex at the longitudinal fold lines.
5. 5. A structure as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 and further including means to limit the degree of opening of the structure.
6. 6. A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including one or more cuts in the sheet such that when the sheet is partly unfolded, one or more parts defined by said cuts lie in a plane or planes which protrude in front of at least a second plane.
7. 7. A structure as claimed in Claim 6, wherein at least one of said cuts replace part of a fold line.
8. 8. A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheet comprises two or more connected sheets.
9. 9. A structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figures 1 to 3, or 4 and 5, or 6, 7 to 9, or 10 of the accompanying drawings.
10. 10. A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, which is a greetings card.