WO2008150367A2

WO2008150367A2 - Children's cards with experience enhancing page edge art

Info

Publication number: WO2008150367A2
Application number: PCT/US2008/006428
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Derraugh; Michael Morris
Original assignee: Book Works, Incorporated
Priority date: 2007-05-18
Filing date: 2008-05-19
Publication date: 2008-12-11
Also published as: WO2008150367A3

Abstract

A children's learning apparatus with experience enhancing page edge art comprising a sheet that has a first and second side that collectively form a boundary. A page edge art element is attached to the sheet in a manner that allows the page edge art element to extend beyond the boundaries of the sheet and extend the effective perimeter of the sheet. A graphical illustration is fixed to the sheet and the page edge art element is attached to the sheet is a manner that allows the graphical illustration and the page edge art element to form an item.

Description

[0001 ] CHILDREN' S CARDS WITH EXPERIENCE ENHANCING PAGE EDGE

ART

[0002] PRIORITY CLAIM [0003] The present application is a non-provisional application, claiming the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/930,851, filed on May 18, 2007, entitled, "Children's Cards with Experience Enhancing Edge Art."

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] (1) Field of Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to children's cards and, more particularly, to cards having attachments that complete some part of a graphical illustration printed on the card, and to books incorporating the cards therein.

[0007] (2) Description of Related Art

[0008] Children's books and cards have long been known in the art. Children's books typically limit their content to the borders of the page such that one would have to open the book to have knowledge of what is contained within the book's pages. As it can be difficult to gain and maintain the attention of a young child, it is desirable to include additional features that extend beyond the contents of a traditional page or card.

[0009] Thus, a continuing need exists for a children's page or card whose page-art is not confined to traditional page (or card) borders. Such page-art is defined herein as page edge art. Furthermore, a continuing need exists for children's cards and pages with associated page edge art that completes the content of the card and/or page to better focus the attention of young children. [00010] SUMMARY OF INVENTION [00011] The present invention is a page in a book, or a card by itself, with page attachments to form page edge art. The page edge art helps to maintain young children's attention. Further, it allows a portion of the children's book's content to be viewed while the book is closed.

[00012] Additionally, the page edge art adds the dimension of tactile learning that augments the typical auditory and visual learning experience of young children during story time. For example, using page edge art, young children can touch a vinyl representation of a farmer's boots while viewing the more traditional illustrations on the page and hearing a parent reading the story. The addition of a tactile experience that is compatible with the children's book's storyline provides children with a more salient learning experience.

[00013] More specifically, the present invention is a children's learning apparatus with experience enhancing page edge art. The learning apparatus includes a first sheet. The first sheet comprises a first side and a second side, wherein the first and second side collectively form a boundary of the first sheet. A page edge art element is affixed to the first sheet such that the page edge art element extends beyond the boundary of the first sheet. A first graphical illustration is attached with the first side. The first graphical illustration represents a portion of a first item. The page edge art element is formed such that the page edge art element represents another portion of the first item such that the page edge art element combined with the first graphical illustration depicts the entire first item.

[00014] In another aspect, the page edge art element is affixed between the first side and second side.

[00015] In yet another aspect, the present invention further comprises a second graphical illustration attached with the second side. The second graphical illustration represents a portion of a second item. Additionally, the page edge art element is formed such that the page edge art element represents another portion of the second item, such that the page edge art element combined with the second graphical illustration on the second side depicts the entire second item.

[00016] In another aspect, the page edge art element is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of cloth, foil, google eyes, natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, imitation fur, and latex.

[00017] Additionally, the first sheet is attached with a binding to form at least one page in a book.

[00018] In yet another aspect, the present invention further includes a second sheet. The second sheet comprises a first side and a second side, wherein the first and second side collectively form a boundary of the first sheet. A page edge art element is affixed to the second sheet such that the page edge art element extends beyond the boundary of the second sheet. A first graphical illustration is attached with the first side. The first graphical illustration represents a portion of a first item. The page edge art element is formed such that the page edge art element represents another portion of the first item such that the page edge art element combined with the first graphical illustration depicts the entire first item. Additionally, the first sheet is bound to the second sheet to collectively form the book.

[00019] In yet another aspect, the book is spiral bound.

[00020] Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for providing young children with a multi-modal learning experience via the use of children's cards or pages with page edge art. The method also comprises acts of forming the cards and book described herein by forming and attaching the various components. [00021 ] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00022] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:

[00023] FIG. 1 is a front, plan-view illustration of a children's book according to the present invention, depicting a composite of the front-views illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10;

[00024] FIG. 2 is a front, plan-view illustration of one page of the children's book depicted in FIG. 1 ;

[00025] FIG. 3 is a back, plan-view illustration of the page depicted in FIG. 2;

[00026] FIG. 4 is a front, plan- view illustration of one page of the children's book depicted in FIG. 1 ;

[00027] FIG. 5 A is a front, plan- view illustration of a plurality of attached pages of a children's book according to the present invention;

[00028] FIG. 5B is a side-view illustration of a plurality of attached pages of a children's book according to the present invention;

[00029] FIG. 6 is a front, plan-view illustration of one page of the children's book depicted in FIG. 1 ;

[00030] FIG. 7 is a back, plan-view illustration of the page depicted in FIG. 6; [00031] FIG. 8 is a front, plan-view illustration of one page of the children's book depicted in FIG. 1 ;

[00032] FIG. 9 is a back, plan- view illustration of the page depicted in FIG. 8; and

[00033] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for forming a page or sheet with page edge art according to the present invention.

[00034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION [00035] The present invention relates to children's cards and, more particularly, to cards having attachments that complete some part of a graphical illustration printed on the card, and to books incorporating the cards therein. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[00036] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

[00037] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[00038] Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means for" performing a specified function, or "step for" performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U.S. C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of "step of or "act of in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S. C. 112, Paragraph 6.

[00039] Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.

[00040] (1) Description [00041] As described above, the present invention relates to children's cards or pages with page edge art. For the purposes of this application the terms page, card, and sheet are synonymous.

[00042] An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The present invention includes a children's book 100. The children's book 100 is formed of a plurality of pages 102. The pages 102 can be plain sheet pages or have page edge art 104 (or any combination there between) to capture young children's attention during story time. Individually, at least one of the pages 102 is a children's card with page edge art 104. Each of the children's cards, when bound together, operate as pages 102 and thereby collectively form the children's book 100. Thus, the present invention is not limited to a children's book 100 and instead can be a single children's card with page edge art.

[00043] As seen in FIG. 2, the children's learning apparatus 100 includes a first sheet 200 formed in a manner suitable for attaching other items thereto. As a non- limiting example, the first sheet 200 has a first side 202 and a second side (depicted as element 300 in FIG. 3) together forming the boundary 204 of the first sheet 200. This first sheet 200 (and any other sheet) may be constructed of any suitable material, non-limiting examples of which include paper, plastic, wood, EVA foam, paperboard and fabric. Further, a page edge art element 206 is attached to the first sheet in a manner that allows the page edge art element to extend beyond the boundary 204 of the first sheet 200.

[00044] A first graphical illustration 208 is attached to the first side 202 of the first sheet 200. The first graphical illustration 208 is formed in a manner such that when the page edge art element 206 is attached to the first sheet 200, the page edge art element 206 and the graphical illustration 208 combine to form an entire first item 210 which can depict whatever is desired. Any graphical illustrations can be attached to their respective sheets by any suitable means, non-limiting examples of which include, surface printing, rotogravure printing, and laser printing.

[00045] As seen on FIG. 3, the page edge art element 206 can be affixed between the first side (depicted as element 202 in FIG. 2) and the second side 300. This allows the page edge art element to be seen when looking at either the first side of the first sheet 206 or the second side of the first sheet 300.

[00046] Further, a second graphical illustration 302 can be attached to the second side of the first sheet 300. The second graphical illustration 302 is formed in such a manner that when the second graphical illustration 302 and the page edge art element 206 are combined they form an entire second item 304. In this manner the page edge art element 206 can serve as a portion of both the first item (depicted as element 210 in FIG. 2) and the second item 304.

[00047] As seen in FIG. 4, there may be multiple page edge art elements 400 and 402 attached to a single sheet 404. Any page edge art element may be formed out of any suitable material, non-limiting examples of which include cloth, foil, google eyes, natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, imitation fur, latex, paper, plastic, wood, EVA foam, and paperboard.

[00048] As seen in FIG. 5 A, a first sheet 500 with attached page edge art elements 502 can be bound 504 with a second sheet 506 with attached page edge art elements 508. Together these bound sheets may collectively form a book 510. The binding 504 can be accomplished using any suitable binding method, non-limiting examples of which include spiral coil binding, plastic comb binding, twin loop wire binding, saddle stitching, concertina binding, and accordion binding. The binding 504 depicted in FIG. 5 A is a form of spiral binding.

[00049] As seen in FIG 5B, it should be noted that the book 512 is formed of at least one sheet (i.e., page) 514 with page edge art elements 516. Thus, in its most basic form, a first sheet 514 may be attached with a binding 518 to form at least one page in a book 512. The book 512 can be formed such that all pages have page edge art elements 516; such that only one page has page edge art elements 516 with the remaining pages being plain book pages 520; or any combination there between. In other words, the present invention is not limited to a book 512 with all pages having page edge art elements 516 and instead can have any combination of enhanced pages 514 and plain pages 520, from at least one page to all pages having page edge art elements 516.

[00050] An alternative type of page edge art attachment is depicted in FIG. 6. Similar to the prior examples in FIG. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the children's learning apparatus includes a first sheet 600 formed in a manner suitable for attaching other items thereto. As a non-limiting example, the first sheet 600 has a first side 602 and a second side (depicted as element 700 in FIG. 7) together forming the boundary 606 of the first sheet 600. A page edge art element 608 is attached to the first sheet in a manner that allows the page edge art element to extend beyond the boundary 606 of the first sheet 600. In this instance however, the page edge art element 608 is attached to the first side 602 of the first sheet 600, rather than between the first side 602 and the second side 700. Thus the page edge art element 608 extends from inside the first sheet boundary 606 to outside the first sheet boundary 606.

[00051] A first graphical illustration 610 is attached to the first side 602 of the first sheet 600. The first graphical illustration 610 is formed in a manner such that when the page edge art element 608 is attached to the first sheet 600, the page edge art element 608 and the graphical illustration 610 combine to form an entire first item 612 which can depict whatever is desired.

[00052] As seen in FIG. 7, a second graphical illustration 702 can be attached to the second side 700 of the first sheet 600. The second graphical illustration 702 is formed in such a manner that when the second graphical illustration 702 and the page edge art element 608 are combined they form an entire second item 704. In this manner the page edge art element 608 can serve as a portion of both the first item (depicted as element 610 in FIG. 6) and the second item 704. So, despite the alternative type of page edge art attachment shown in FIG. 6 and 7, the page edge art element 608 attached to the first side (depicted as element 602 in FIG. 6) of the first sheet 600 functions in the same manner as the page edge art elements described in FIG. 2, 3, 4, and 5.

[00053] Another example of a children's learning apparatus is shown in FIG. 8. It includes a first sheet 800 formed in a manner suitable for attaching other items thereto. As a non-limiting example, the first sheet 800 has a first side 802 and a second side (depicted as element 900 in FIG. 9) together forming the boundary 804 of the first sheet 800. A page edge art element 806 is attached to the first sheet 800 in a manner that allows the page edge art element to extend beyond the boundary 804 of the first sheet 800.

[00054] A first graphical illustration 808 is attached to the first side 802 of the first sheet 800. The first graphical illustration 808 is formed in a manner such that when the page edge art element 806 is attached to the first sheet 800, the page edge art element 806 and the graphical illustration 808 combine to form an entire first item 810 which can depict whatever is desired. In this case the item 810 depicted is a tractor with page edge art element 806 depicting a tractor front wheel and graphical illustration 808 depicting a tractor cab and rear wheel.

[00055] As seen on FIG. 9, the page edge art element 806 can be affixed between the first side (depicted as element 802 in FIG. 8) and the second side 900. This allows the page edge art element 806 (depicting a wheel) to be seen when looking at either the first side of the first sheet (depicted as element 802 in FIG. 8) or the second side of the first sheet 900.

[00056] Further, a second graphical illustration 902 can be attached to the second side of the first sheet 900. The second graphical illustration 902 is formed in such a manner that when the second graphical illustration 902 and the page edge art element 806 are combined they form an entire second item 904. In this manner the page edge art element 806 can serve as a portion of both the first item (depicted as element 810 in FIG. 8) and the second item 904. Here, the item depicted is farmer with a wheelbarrow with the farmer and wheelbarrow being depicted by the combination of page edge art element 806 and second graphical illustration 902. [00057] As shown in FIG. 10, the present invention also teaches a method for forming a children's book or card with page edge art. The method comprises a plurality of acts of forming and attaching each of the parts of the children's book or card described herein. For example, the method comprises acts of affixing a page edge art element to a sheet 1000 either between the first and second sides of the sheet

1002 or affixing it to the first side of the sheet 1004. The method also includes the act of affixing a graphical illustration to the first side of the first sheet 1006 positioning it such that it combines with the page edge art element to form an entire first item. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention further comprises additional acts of forming and attaching the various parts of the children's card or book described above to arrive at the present invention.

[00058] It should be noted that the children's learning apparatus described herein describes a specific children's book for illustrative purposes only, and that it is not intended to be limited thereto. As can be appreciated by one in the art, there are many sheet and card configurations that can extend the effective perimeter of a card or sheet's edge.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A children's learning apparatus with experience enhancing page edge art, comprising a first sheet, the first sheet comprising: a first side and a second side, wherein the first and second side collectively form a boundary of the first sheet; a page edge art element affixed to the first sheet such that the page edge art element extends beyond the boundary of the first sheet; a first graphical illustration attached with the first side, the first graphical illustration representing a portion of a first item, and wherein the page edge art element is formed such that the page edge art element represents another portion of the first item such that the page edge art element combined with the first graphical illustration depicts the entire first item.

2. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 , wherein the page edge art element is affixed between the first side and second side.

3. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 2, further comprising a second graphical illustration attached with the second side, the second graphical illustration representing a portion of a second item, and wherein the page edge art element is formed such that the page edge art element represents another portion of the second item, such that the page edge art element combined with the second graphical illustration on the second side depicts the entire second item.

4. A children's learning toy as set forth in Claim 3, where the page edge art element is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of cloth, foil, google eyes, natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, imitation fur, and latex.

5. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 4, wherein the first sheet is attached with a binding to form at least one page in a book.

6. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 5, further comprising a second sheet, the second sheet comprising: a first side and a second side, wherein the first and second side collectively form a boundary of the first sheet; a page edge art element affixed to the second sheet such that the page edge art element extends beyond the boundary of the second sheet; a first graphical illustration attached with the first side, the first graphical illustration representing a portion of a first item, and wherein the page edge art element is formed such that the page edge art element represents another portion of the first item such that the page edge art element combined with the first graphical illustration depicts the entire first item; and wherein the first sheet is bound to the second sheet to collectively form the book.

7. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 6, wherein the book is bound using a binding selected from a group consisting of spiral coil binding, plastic comb binding, twin loop wire binding, saddle stitching, concertina binding, and accordion binding.

8. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the page edge art element is attached with the first side of the first sheet.

9. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 8, further comprising a second graphical illustration attached with the second side, the second graphical illustration representing a portion of a second item, and wherein the page edge art element is formed such that the page edge art element represents another portion of the second item, such that the page edge art element combined with the second graphical illustration on the second side depicts the entire second item.

10. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 9, where the page edge art element is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of cloth, foil, google eyes, natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, imitation fur, and latex.

11. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 10, further comprising a second sheet, the second sheet comprising: a first side and a second side, wherein the first and second side collectively form a boundary of the second sheet; a page edge art element affixed to the second sheet such that the page edge art element extends beyond the boundary of the second sheet; a first graphical illustration attached with the first side, the first graphical illustration representing a portion of a first item, and wherein the page edge art element is formed such that the page edge art element represents another portion of the first item such that the page edge art element combined with the first graphical illustration depict the entire first item; and wherein the first sheet is bound to the second sheet to collectively form a book.

12. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 11, wherein the book is bound using a binding selected from a group consisting of spiral coil binding, plastic comb binding, twin loop wire binding, saddle stitching, concertina binding, and accordion binding.

13. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the first sheet is attached with a binding to form at least one page in a book.

14. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, where the page edge art element is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of cloth, foil, google eyes, natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, imitation fur, and latex.

15. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, further comprising a second sheet, the second sheet comprising: a first side and a second side, wherein the first and second side collectively form a boundary of the second sheet; a page edge art element affixed to the second sheet such that the page edge art element extends beyond the boundary of the second sheet; a first graphical illustration attached with the first side, the first graphical illustration representing a portion of a first item, and wherein the page edge art element is formed such that the page edge art element represents a portion of the first item such that the page edge art element combined with the first graphical illustration depict the entire first item.

16. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 15, wherein the first sheet is bound to the second sheet to collectively form a book.

17. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 16, wherein the book is bound using a binding selected from a group consisting of spiral coil binding, plastic comb binding, twin loop wire binding, saddle stitching, concertina binding, and accordion binding.

18. A children's learning apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the page edge art element is affixed between the first side and second side; the first sheet further comprising a second graphical illustration attached with the second side, the second graphical illustration representing a portion of a second item, and wherein the page edge art element is formed such that the page edge art element represents another portion of the second item, such that the page edge art element combined with the second graphical illustration on the second side depicts the entire second item; a second sheet, the second sheet comprising: a first side and a second side, wherein the first and second side collectively form a boundary of the second sheet; a page edge art element affixed to the first side such that the page edge art element extends beyond the boundary of the second sheet; a first graphical illustration attached with the first side, the first graphical illustration representing a portion of a first item, and is formed such that the page edge art element represents a portion of the first item such that the page edge art element combined with the first graphical illustration depict the entire first item.

19. A method for forming a children's learning apparatus with experience enhancing page edge art, the method comprising acts of: affixing at least one page edge art element to a first sheet comprised of a first side and a second side, the first and second sides collectively forming the boundary of the first sheet with the page edge art element extending beyond the boundary; affixing a first graphical illustration to the first sheet such that the page edge art element and the first graphical illustration combine to form an entire first item.

20. A method for forming a children's learning apparatus as set forth in claim 19, further comprising acts of: affixing the page edge art element between the first side of the first sheet and the second side of the first sheet.

21. A method for forming a children's learning apparatus as set forth in claim 19, further comprising acts of: affixing the page edge art element to the first side of the first sheet.

22. A method for forming a children's learning apparatus as set forth in claim 19, further comprising acts of: affixing a second graphical illustration to the second side of the first sheet; affixing the page edge art element in a manner that allows the page edge art element to join with both the first graphical illustration to form an entire first item and the second graphical illustration to form an entire second item.

23. A method for forming a children's learning apparatus as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the act of: selecting the page edge art element from a material selected from a group consisting of cloth, foil, google eyes, natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, imitation fur, and latex.

24. A method for forming a children's learning apparatus as set forth in claim 19, further comprising acts of: attaching the first sheet to a second sheet comprised of a first side and a second side where the first and second sides collectively form a boundary of the second sheet; affixing at least one page edge art element to the second sheet in a manner that extends the page edge art element beyond the boundary of the second sheet; affixing a first graphical illustration to the first side of the second sheet such that the page edge art element and the first graphical illustration combine to form an entire first item.

25. A method for forming a children's learning apparatus as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the act of: attaching a first sheet with a binding to form at least one page in a book.