Abstract:
A puzzle game wherein scrambled puzzle pieces are printed on a top layer of pressure-sensitive material which is die cut to create the shapes of the pieces. In a two-layer version of the puzzle, the pressure-sensitive material is laminated to a bottom layer formed from a silicone-coated liner. The bottom surface of the bottom layer is printed with instructions, e.g., a grid having rectangles with numbers which tell where to place the correspondingly numbered scrambled pressure-sensitive puzzle pieces. When the pressure-sensitive pieces are applied to the liner, rearranged as per the grid or other instructions, a picture and/or message is revealed. An intermediate layer may be hidden between the top and bottom layers for serving as a coupon, ticket or other device which be relinquished without parting with the completed puzzle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to novelty puzzles of the type where pieces representing portions of an image are to be unscrambled to form the image. More specifically, the invention is directed to a self-contained puzzle kit wherein the puzzle pieces can be mounted on a substrate by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     It is known in the art to employ pressure-sensitive adhesives for fastening puzzle pieces to a support or to otherwise hold them in place, once assembled. However, such puzzles generally require adult supervision or assistance when given to young children to assemble. Some of the many pieces of a puzzle can be lost. Adhesive coated puzzle pieces can be difficult to handle and can stick to surfaces for which they are not intended, or even to one another if not carefully handled. Moreover, very young children often do not have the cognitive ability to transform a scrambled image on the pieces of a puzzle into an unscrambled one. 
     Prior art puzzles which use adhesives do not lend themselves to holding a child&#39;s interest or rewarding a child upon completion of a puzzle, e.g., by providing the child with a prize, separate and apart from the completed puzzle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the instant invention which provides for a puzzle game having a top layer with a plurality of disorderly arranged sections each of which has a top surface that bears a portion of a scrambled image, and a bottom surface with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a bottom layer having a top surface with an affinity for pressure-sensitive adhesive less than that of the bottom surfaces of the top layer sections, and a bottom surface on which there is imprinted information for orderly arranging the top layer sections in a configuration in which the first image is unscrambled. The pressure-sensitive adhesive on the bottom surfaces of the top layer sections, when subjected to pressure, affixes the bottom surfaces of the top layer sections to the bottom surface of the bottom layer thereby producing an assemblage bearing the unscrambled image. 
     An intermediate layer may be sandwiched in between the top and bottom layers for being hidden when the puzzle is in its original scrambled state and for being exposed and separable from the top and bottom layers for use, e.g., as a prize coupon, while permitting the completed puzzle with the unscrambled image to be separately retained. 
     The bottom layer upper surface may have a release coating for use with an intermediate layer that has a pressure-sensitive adhesive on its underside. Alternatively, the bottom layer upper surface may be coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a fugitive adhesive, or a repositionable adhesive for use where the intermediate layer has a bottom surface with a release coating. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a self-contained puzzle which can be readily assembled by young children with little or no supervision. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a puzzle wherein directions for assembly of the puzzle are integral with a backer to which the unscrambled puzzle pieces are to be adhered. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a puzzle wherein each piece can be removed from its position in a scrambled image and repositioned to its position in an unscrambled image without need to remove any other piece of the puzzle. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a puzzle wherein a concealed coupon, picture, certificate or the like can be exposed for separation from the puzzle when the puzzle is completed. 
     Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following drawings and description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a puzzle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention in an original state. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the puzzle of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the puzzle of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the puzzle of FIG. 1 in a completed state. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a puzzle in accordance with a first variant of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the puzzle of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a puzzle in accordance with a second variant of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the puzzle of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a puzzle in accordance with a third variant of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a puzzle in accordance with a fourth variant of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a puzzle in accordance with a fifth variant of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the puzzle of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the puzzle of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the puzzle of FIG. 11 in a completed state. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, there is shown a puzzle  1  having a square top layer  3  and a square bottom layer  5  which is congruent to the top layer  3 . The top layer  3  is preferably formed from a sheet of vinyl, although it can be made of paper or other sheet material. 
     Printed on the top surface  10  of the top layer  3  is a scrambled image  7  having numbered regions  9 . The top surface  12  of the bottom layer  5  has a silicone coating  6 . In its original state, the bottom surface  11  of the top layer  3  is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive  13  and applied to the silicone coated top surface  12  of the bottom layer  5 . Because the pressure-sensitive adhesive  13  has a greater affinity for the vinyl or paper on the bottom surface  11  of the top layer  3  than it does for the silicone coated top surface  12  of the bottom layer  5 , the adhesion between the top layer  3  and bottom layer  5  is impermanent. 
     The top layer  3  is die cut so that the numbered regions  9  are on separate congruent square pieces  17  forming a four by four matrix. Each square  17  has a number indicative of its position relative to the other pieces  17  when the image is unscrambled. Also, the orientation of each number indicates the proper orientation of each piece  17  in the finished puzzle  1 . That is, when the pieces  17  are rotated so that the numbers are upright, the pieces  17  are also in the upright positions required to form the unscrambled image  21 . 
     The die cut is deep enough to penetrate the thickness of the top layer  3  but not deep enough to cut the bottom layer  5 . The pressure-sensitive adhesive  13  holds the pieces  17  of the puzzle  1  in place until they are peeled away from the silicone-coated top surface  12  of the bottom layer  5 . 
     Printed on the bottom surface  19  or underside of the bottom layer  5  is information on how to arrange the puzzle pieces  17  to form the unscrambled image  21 , in the form of a grid made up of squares each of which is congruent to the die cut puzzle pieces  17 . Each square of the grid has a unique number corresponding to a number on one of the puzzle pieces  17  and an orientation corresponding to the proper orientation of the numbers on the puzzle pieces  17  in the unscrambled image  21 . The correspondences of the numbers on the puzzle pieces  17  and grid, and their orientations, enables young children to easily arrange the puzzle pieces  17  to form the unscrambled image  21 . 
     In order to assemble the unscrambled image  21 , each die cut square of the upper layer is peeled away from the top silicone-coated surface  10  of the bottom layer  5  and placed on its correspondingly numbered square on the grid printed on the bottom surface  19  of the bottom layer  5 . Pressure is then applied against the die cut square thereby causing the pressure-sensitive adhesive  13  to bond the die cut square to the bottom layer  5 . Bonding all of the die cut squares to the bottom layer  5  in the aforesaid manner forms a complete unscrambled image  21  on the bottom surface  19  of the bottom layer  5 . 
     The silicone-coated top surface  12  of the bottom layer can optionally have a picture, message, and/or other textual or graphical representation to form another image  8  which is hidden by the top layer  3  until the die cut puzzle pieces  17  are peeled away from the top layer  3 . As the puzzle pieces  17  are peeled away, the text and or graphics on the top surface  12  of the bottom layer  5  is gradually exposed. Children may guess at the full content of the hidden image before it is fully exposed. When all of the puzzle pieces  17  have been removed from the top surface  12  of the bottom layer  5  and affixed to the bottom surface  19  of the bottom layer  5 , the puzzle  1  consists of a single two-sided assembly having the unscrambled image  21  formed by the assembled pieces  17  on one side and the previously hidden image on the other side. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, there is shown a variant of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 wherein an intermediate layer  4 ′ is disposed between the top layer  3 ′ and bottom layer  5 ′ of the puzzle  1 ′. The intermediate layer  4 ′ can serve as a coupon for a prize or purchase, an admission ticket to an event, a telephone calling card, or for other purposes. The intermediate layer  4 ′ can consist of a single sheet; it can be a packet having an envelope in which one or more sheets are contained; or it can be a folded leaflet or a booklet. 
     The top layer  3 ′ and bottom layer  5 ′ of the puzzle  1 ′ are as described with respect to FIGS. 1-4. The intermediate layer  4 ′ has a top surface  37 ′ which is silicone-coated and a bottom surface  39 ′ that is optionally coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive  23 ′. The intermediate layer  4 ′ can be smaller in area than the top layer  3 ′ and bottom layer  5 ′. The bottom surface  39 ′ of the intermediate layer  4 ′ is removably affixed to the top surface  12 ′ of the bottom layer  5 ′ by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive  23 ′ on the bottom surface  39 ′ of the intermediate layer  4 ′. Preferably, but not necessarily, the intermediate layer  4 ′ is centered on the bottom layer  5 ═ before being “pressed” onto it so that the pressure-sensitive adhesive  23 ′ on the bottom surface  39 ′ of the intermediate layer  4 ′ removably adheres the intermediate layer  4 ′ to the bottom layer  5 ′. Thereafter the top layer  3 ′ is placed over the bottom layer  5 ′ and pressed against the exposed portion of the silicone-coated top surface  12 ′ of the bottom layer  5 ′ and the silicone-coated top surface  37 ′ of the intermediate layer  4 ′ whereby the pressure-sensitive adhesive  13 ′ on the bottom surface  11 ′ of the top layer  3 ′ holds the top layer  3 ′ to the bottom layer  5 ′ with the intermediate layer  4 ′ captured therebetween. 
     The top layer  3 ′ is then die cut to form puzzle pieces  17 ′ as explained with respect to FIGS. 1-4. When the puzzle pieces  17 ′ are peeled away from the top surface  37 ′ of the intermediate layer  4 ′ the coupon or other device which forms the intermediate layer  4 ′ is exposed and can be peeled from the upper surface  12 ′ of the bottom layer  5 ′. The puzzle pieces  17 ′ can be affixed to the bottom surface  19 ′ of the bottom layer  5 ′ as explained with respect to FIGS. 1-4 to form the unscrambled image. This arrangement enables the owner of the puzzle  1 ′ to turn in the coupon or ticket formed by the intermediate layer  4 ′ as may be necessary to receive a prize or gain admission to an event, without having to part with the completed puzzle  1 ′. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings there is shown another variant of the preferred embodiment of the invention. A puzzle  1 ″ has a square top layer  3 ″, a square intermediate layer  4 ″, and a square bottom layer  5 ″, all of the layers  3 ″,  4 ″, and  5 ″ being congruent. As in the previous embodiments, the top layer  3 ″ is preferably formed from a sheet of vinyl, although it, too, can be made of paper or other sheet material. 
     Printed on the top surface  10 ″ of the top layer  3 ″ is a scrambled image  7 ″ having numbered regions  9 ″. The bottom side of the top layer  3 ″ is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive  13 ″. The top layer  3 ″ is die cut into congruent square pieces  17 ″ forming a four by four matrix. Each square has a number indicative of its position and orientation required to form the unscrambled image  21 ″. 
     The intermediate layer  4 ″ is transparent and can be made of a transparent vinyl, acetate or similar material. The transparent intermediate layer  4 ″ has a top surface  37 ″ with a silicone coating and a bottom surface  39 ″ on which there are printed text and/or graphics in mirror image so that they can be viewed through the top surface  37 ∝ of the intermediate layer  4 ″. 
     The bottom layer or backer  5 ″ has a bottom surface  19 ″ on which a grid, similar to the grids of the puzzles shown in FIGS. 1-6, is printed for receiving the pressure-sensitive adhesive coated puzzle pieces  17 ″. The top surface  12 ″ of the bottom layer  5 ″ is coated with a fugitive adhesive  33 ″ which releasably adheres the bottom surface  39 ″ of the transparent intermediate layer  4 ″ to the top surface of the bottom layer  5 ″ and permits the transparent intermediate layer  4 ″ to be peeled away from the bottom layer  5 ″, leaving no sticky surface on either the bottom surface  39 ″ of the intermediate layer  4 ″ or the top surface  12 ″ of the bottom layer  5 ″. Such fugitive adhesives are known in the art. 
     The transparent intermediate layer  4 ″ may serve as any of the devices formed by the intermediate layer  4 ″ of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, including a picture which may be optionally mounted and/or framed, and hung or otherwise displayed. 
     In another variant of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9, instead of being transparent, the intermediate layer  4 ′″ is opaque and has text and/or graphics printed on its top surface  37 ′″ before application of the silicone release coating thereto. 
     In still a further embodiment of invention, shown in FIG. 10, the top surface  12 ″″ of the bottom layer  5 ″″ is coated with a repositionable adhesive  35 ″″ and is otherwise identical to the bottom layer  5 ″″ described with respect to FIGS. 1-6. The top layer  3 ″″ is also identical to the construction of the top layer  3 ″″ described with respect to FIGS. 1-6. 
     A transparent intermediate layer  4 ″″ has a top surface  37 ″″ and a bottom surface  39 ″″ each covered with a silicone coating. On the bottom surface  39 ″″ of the intermediate layer  4 ″″ here are printed text and/or graphics in mirror image so that they can be viewed through the top surface  37 ″″ of the intermediate layer  4 ″″. 
     The silicone coating on the bottom surface  39 ″″ of the intermediate layer  4 ″″ permits the intermediate layer  4 ″″ to be peeled away from the bottom layer  5 ″″, leaving no sticky surface on the intermediate layer  4 ″″ which can then be used as a coupon, ticket, decorative picture or for many other purposes as disclosed above. 
     Because the repositionable adhesive  35 ″″ has a greater affinity for the top surface  12 ″″ of the bottom layer  5 ″″ then for the silicone-coated bottom surface  39 ″″ of the intermediate layer  4 ″″, the repositionable adhesive  35 ″″ remains on the top surface  12 ″″ of the bottom layer  5 ″″ after the intermediate layer  4 ″″ is peeled away. The top surface  12 ″″ of the bottom layer  5 ″″, which has puzzle pieces forming an unscrambled image on its bottom surface  19 ″″, can then be pressed onto a support surface, e.g., on wall, a canvas, a page of a book, or virtually any other surface. The repositionable adhesive  35 ″″ enables the bottom layer to be moved after it is pressed onto the supporting surface until the exact desired position is obtained. With passage of time, the repositionable adhesive  35 ″″ will set, fixing the bottom layer  5 ″″, with puzzle pieces attached, in place. The intermediate layer  4 ″″ can be used separately as previously described. 
     In FIGS. 11-14 there is illustrated still another variant of the invention, this one being identical to the one of FIGS. 1-4 except as follows. 
     Correspondence between the puzzle pieces  17 ′″″ peeled away from the silicone-coated top surface  12 ′″″ of the bottom layer  5 ′″″ and the grid squares on the on the bottom surface of the bottom layer  5 ′″″ is not provided by numbers on the faces of the puzzle pieces  17 ′″″ (see FIG. 11) and grid squares as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Instead, each grid square has a graphical representation of a person, place or thing and the underside of each puzzle piece  17 ′″″ has a textual clue which corresponds to one of the graphical representations. 
     For example as seen in FIG. 12, the uppermost, leftmost grid square as a graphical representation of the Statue of Liberty. One of the puzzle pieces  17 ′″″ shown in FIG. 13, has printed on its underside, the clue “Located in New York Harbor.” The adhesive on the underside of the puzzle pieces  17 ′″″ is transparent so that the text of each clue can be viewed through the adhesive. After each of the puzzle pieces  17 ′″″ is applied with its clue-bearing side face down on the grid box with the graphical representation corresponding to its clue, the image shown in FIG. 14 is fully assembled on the bottom surface of the bottom layer  5 ′″″. 
     It is to be appreciated that the foregoing is a description of several variants of a preferred embodiment of the invention to which modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.