GB2359514A - A book with a novelty shape for children - Google Patents

Abstract

A book for children comprising a number of bound pages that define in three dimensions a novelty shape other than a conventional book e.g. an animal, bird, fruit, or vegetable.

Description

2359514 1 A LITERARY OBJECT The present invention relates to a literary

object, and in particular to a literary object adapted to be of interest to and use to young children.

It is of interest to parents and educators generally to make literary objects such as books interesting to young children. If children learn from an early age that books are fun, it encourages the development of a positive attitude to books and reading which is of benefit later on in a child's life. One way of making books interesting to young children is to include the right subject matter in the book in pictures and words. The present invention seeks to add value to the basic book format to provide literary objects which may be of use to young children, but which may also find a wider application to books in general, such as for example, reading books, instruction manuals, recipe books, law books etc.

According to the invention there is provided a literary object comprising a plurality of bound pages, the pages defining in three dimensions the shape of an article other than that of a conventional book.

It is preferred that the object comprises a first and a last page, the first and/or last page being shaped in three dimensions to form parts of the article. The first page may be shaped to form the front of the article and/or the last page may be shaped to form the back of the article.

The object will have a first page and a last page, the first and/or last pages being shaped in three dimensions to form parts of the article.

2 The height, width and thickness of the pages may be varied to define the shape of the article.

It is preferred that each page comprises a laminate, including a relatively rigid board layer.

It is further preferred that the edges of the pages are varnished and that the pages are bound at a spine, the spine comprising a tape.

Each page of the object may include one or more extension, in use to form a support on which the object can stand.

The pages of the object may define the three dimensional shape of an animal, bird, fruit or vegetable. The pages may define the three dimensional shape of a cow.

The invention will further be described by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front three-quarter perspective view of an object according to the invention; Figure 2 is a view of the right hand side of the object of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view of the back of the object of Figure 1; 3 Figure 4 is a view of the left hand side of the object of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a view of the right hand side of the object of Figure 1 in an alternative position.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a literary object 1, comprising a plurality of bound pages 2, the pages 2 defining in three dimensions the shape of an article other than a conventional book.

As will be appreciated, in this example the article in question is a cow.

The object comprises eight pages 2, each page 2 being substantially square and planar. The corners 3 of each page 2 are rounded to simulate in a general way the shape of the body of the cow. The size of each page 2 may also vary to simulate the shape of the particular object. Each page 2 has two extensions 4, in the plane of the page, extending from and spaced along one edge 5, which is the bottom edge as viewed from the front of the cow. The extensions 4 together form legs on which the cow can stand.

The pages 2 are formed as a laminate, which includes a relatively rigid board layer made up of four layers of board fixed together (not shown) by any suitable means. The thickness of the board layer in each page 2 can be varied in order to achieve the desired three-dimensional shape, and can be uniform across all of the pages 2 or can vary from page to page. In this example the pages are of a uniform thickness. Illustrations and text can be applied directly to the board 4 surface or, as in this example, an extra, outer layer can be applied to each side of the board. This layer is preferably thinner than the board layer and preferably has a protective finish applied as is known in the art. The edges of each page 2 c are finished by application of a protective varnish suitable for use with paper and board which makes the edges of the pages 2 relatively smooth and helps stop the laminate structure coming apart.

The pages 2 are joined hingeably by a spine 6 disposed on the left side, as viewed. To form the spine 6 each page 2 has a rectangular extension 7, extending part way along its left side and the extensions 7 are linked together by a tape 8 fixed along the sides of the extensions 7 (Figure 1). It is convenient to trap the tape 8 between layers of the laminated first and last pages 2.

In the present example the front page 2 of the article 1 has a three dimensional formation 9 attached which simulates the head and nose of the cow.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS:

   1.

   2.

   4.

   A literary object, comprising a plurality of bound pages, the pages defining the three dimensional shape of an article other than that of a conventional book.

   An object according to claim 1, there being a first page and a last page, the first and/or last page being shaped in three dimensions to form parts of the article.

   An object according to claim 2, the first page being shaped to form the front of the article and/or the last page being shaped to form the back of the article.

   An object according to any preceding claim, wherein the height of the pages varies to define the shape of the article.

   An object according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the pages varies to define the shape of the article.

   An object according to any preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the pages varies to define the shape of the article.

   7. An object according to any preceding claim, each page comprising a laminate including a relatively rigid board layer.

   6 8.

   9.

   10.

   11.

   12.

   14.

   An object according to any preceding claim, the edges of the pages being varnished.

   An object according to any preceding claim, the pages being bound at a spine.

   An object according to claim 9, the spine comprising a tape.

   An object according to any preceding claim, each page including one or more extension, adapted in use to form a support on which the object can stand.

   An object according to any preceding claim, the pages defining the three dimensional shape of an animal, bird or fruit or vegetable.

   13. An object according to claim 12, the pages defining the three dimensional shape of a cow.

   An object, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.