A method and apparatus for producing a customized jigsaw puzzle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an image capturing mechanism, such as a camera, that captures one or more images of one or more individuals, animals, or objects or combinations of these posed against a background. A computer that
A method and apparatus for producing a customized jigsaw puzzle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an image capturing mechanism, such as a camera, that captures one or more images of one or more individuals, animals, or objects or combinations of these posed against a background. A computer that is linked to the mechanism and to a printer is programmed to print an image on flexible sheets having a printable surface. Then a press, having a platen carrying a jigsaw puzzle cutting die, when activated uses pressure to laminate together the flexible sheet bearing the printed image and a foam sheet thicker and more rigid than he flexible sheets, setting pressure responsive adhesive material used as a binder to form a laminated product, and substantially simultaneously to cut the laminated product into jigsaw puzzle pieces.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for producing a customized jigsaw puzzle, comprising: an image capturing mechanism that captures one or more images of one or more individuals, animals, or objects or combinations of these posed against a background; a printer; a supply of flexible sheets having
What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for producing a customized jigsaw puzzle, comprising: an image capturing mechanism that captures one or more images of one or more individuals, animals, or objects or combinations of these posed against a background; a printer; a supply of flexible sheets having a printable surface; a computer linked to the image capturing mechanism and printer, and programmed to print an image on a flexible sheet; a supply of foam sheets thicker and more rigid than the flexible sheets; a pressure responsive adhesive material; and a press having a platen that carries a jigsaw puzzle cutting die, the press when activated using pressure to laminate the flexible sheet bearing the printed image and the foam sheet together and to set the adhesive material used as a binder to form a laminated product, and substantially simultaneously to cut the laminated product into jigsaw puzzle pieces which further comprises an external housing to cover the printer and press, the housing having an exit and a puzzle conveyor which can convey a customized jigsaw puzzle from inside the housing to the outside. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a memory containing information defining scenes or objects, wherein the computer is linked to the image capturing mechanism, memory, and printer and programmed to replace an image's background or foreground or both with information taken from one or more scenes or objects to form and then to print a customized image on the flexible sheet. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the image capturing mechanism comprises a digital camera and a background between which persons, animals, or objects or combinations of these can be posed and then photographed using the camera, the background's color being such that the computer may readily digitally erase the background from images captured by the camera and replace the image background with one or more scenes or objects selected from the memory. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image capturing apparatus comprises a digital camera. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image capturing mechanism comprises a scanner which can scan and digitally capture an image from at least one photograph. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image capturing mechanism comprises a digital information port designed to accept digital information. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, the foam sheets are pre-coated with the adhesive material applied thermally to each of the sheets of the supply of foam sheets. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adhesive material is tacky prior to the application of pressure, and wherein the pre-coated foam sheets are stacked and held together by the tackiness of the adhesive material in a breakable bond prior to separation and lamination. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the jigsaw puzzle cutting die has cutting edges shaped to form complementary interlocking joints between the puzzle pieces and wherein the glue remains substantially flexible after setting such that the jigsaw puzzle is capable of being bent without its pieces detaching themselves from the puzzle. 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a display is attached to the computer, and wherein the computer is programmed to display trial versions of the customized image and includes controls enabling an operator to rearrange elements of the customized image. 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the foam sheets have a thickness of at least 3 millimeters. 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the computer is programmed to print on a second flexible sheet information that may be placed on the outside of a box that is to contain the puzzle.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (19)
Wain John Laurence,GBX ; Marchini Barry Allen,GBX ; Fry Richard Layton,GBX, Automatic photobooth with electronic imaging camera.
Lariviere ; Jr. Richard L. ; Lariviere D. Marie, Photographs and other graphic materials custom cut into interlocking puzzle shapes to construct a collage- puzzle.
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