Abstract:
An embossing system for use in parchment craft creation comprising a base having a plurality of posts positioned on the outer portion thereof. One or more primary templates include a plurality of shapes formed therein and are used for embossing several features of an image. A small detail template and a stippling template are used separate from the one or more templates to create various intricate and complex designs on parchment paper or similar materials.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a Continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/036,843, filed Dec. 21, 2001, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to scoring or embossing systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for scoring or embossing a variety of shapes onto materials such as parchment paper and card stock.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Systems for embossing and describing different shapes and patterns are conventionally known. One embossing system involves placing a medium such as paper, card stock or metal foil on a table or a similar structure. A template with at least one shape formed therein is positioned atop the medium and is held in place either by an adhesive or the user&#39;s hand. The user traces the perimeter of the shape onto the medium with the use of a stylus. The template could also be used with a craft knife for cutting out the desired shape.  
         [0004]     Another conventional embossing system involves the use of two identical and aligned templates, with both templates including identical shapes in the same position on each template. The medium is placed between the two templates, and a stylus is used to trace the shape onto the medium. An embosser including a ball bearing on the tip may also be used to trace the shape of the medium.  
         [0005]     Although such embossing and scoring systems are generally known, conventional systems often suffer from a lack of control of the individual components. In particular, in many conventional systems the user must hold down the template or templates with one hand while scoring or embossing the shape with the other hand. In systems where the templates are clamped down, they are restrained using adhesives or similar devices which are difficult to set and reset over time.  
         [0006]     Furthermore, in recent years one particular type of craft has become increasingly popular. This craft, commonly called parchment craft, is a creative hobby where by using different tools and materials on parchment or parchment paper, a user can create greeting cards, bookmarks, lampshades, mural decorations, realistic flowers, boxes and other projects that incorporate exceptionally elaborate and intricate designs. One type of parchment paper is sold under the Pergamano brand name. Parchment paper is very strong, allowing it to be modeled in numerous ways without suffering any significant damage. However, creating these designs is also very time consuming and tedious. Successful completion of these designs also requires a high degree of expertise on the part of the user. These factors result in the need for a system of making such designs in a simple and efficient manner.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved embossing system that allows the user to fix the position of the individual components.  
         [0008]     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved embossing system that permits a user to use both hands while embossing individual shapes, letters, numbers, or designs.  
         [0009]     It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved embossing system that permits a user to change individual templates quickly.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved embossing system that permits a user to quickly change the individual textures that are embossed on the medium.  
         [0011]     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved embossing system that includes detachable components for fixing the position of the embossing templates.  
         [0012]     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved embossing system for creating intricate parchment craft designs.  
         [0013]     It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved embossing system for creating intricate parchment designs while minimizing the potential for misalignment.  
         [0014]     In accordance with the above nonlimiting objects, the present invention provides for A parchment craft system for forming an image, comprising one or more primary templates with shapes formed therein for embossing several features for the image. A small detail template, also with shapes formed therein, provides details for the image to be formed. A stippling template includes a plurality of dots formed therein for providing stippling for the image to be formed.  
         [0015]     Further advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification, drawings and claims illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of an embossing system according to one embodiment of the present invention; and  FIG. 1B  is an exploded view of an embossing system according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embossing system according to an alternate embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embossing system according to yet another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a lower template for use during creation of a first parchment craft design;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a top view of an upper template for use during creation of the first parchment craft design;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a small detail template for use during creation of the first parchment craft design;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a stippling detail template for use during creation of the first parchment craft design;  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a layout showing an ornamental parchment design during various stages of completion of a second parchment craft design; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a stylus for use in creating a parchment craft design. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     An embossing system  10  constructed in accordance with one form of the invention is generally shown in  FIGS. 1A-3 . The embossing system  10  includes an upper template  12  and a lower template  14 . In one embodiment of the invention and as shown in  FIG. 1B , a textured plate  16  is positioned generally below the lower template  14 . The textured plate  16  may include a variety of textured surfaces that may include grooves, ridges, undulations, or other textures. Alternatively, the textured plate  16  may include no texture at all depending upon the user&#39;s specific needs. The upper template  12 , the lower template  14  and the textured plate  16  are all removably positioned on top of a base plate  18 .  
         [0026]     The upper template  12  includes a plurality of upper template shapes  22 . The upper template shapes  22  may vary greatly and could also include, for example, lettering, numbering or other designs. The lower template  14  includes a plurality of lower template shapes  24 . The lower template shapes  24  may also vary but are substantially identical in both shape, size and position to the upper template shapes  22  on the upper template  12 . In other words, the lower template shape  24  at a particular position on the lower template  14  is substantially identical to the upper template shape  22  at the same position on the upper template  12 .  
         [0027]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper template shapes  22 , although identical to the corresponding lower template shapes  24 , are slightly larger than the corresponding lower template shapes  24 . The slight difference in sizes between the upper template shapes  22  and the corresponding lower template shapes  24  permit a user to make an improved, more crisp embossment along the edge of the shape to be embossed. In one particular embodiment of the invention, each upper template shape is about 0.050 larger in cross-section than the corresponding lower template shape  24 .  
         [0028]     The upper template  12 , the lower template  14  and the textured plate  16  are all sized to fit on top of the base plate  18  in a close fitting relationship. As shown in  FIG. 1B , the base plate  18 , according to one embodiment of the invention, includes a small depression  30  which is sized such that the textured plate  16  and/or the upper template  22  and the lower template  24  fit therein.  
         [0029]     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  matingly engage the base plate  18 . This engagement is accomplished through the use of removable alignment pegs  20  positioned on the base plate  18  and corresponding upper template holes  32  and lower template holes  34 , along with a plurality of base plate holes  56  located along the base plate  18 . The alignment pegs  20  and the base plate holes  56  are positioned along an outer edge  44  of the base plate  18 . It is also possible to have additional ones of the base plate holes  56  on the sides of the base plate  18  for storage purposes, as shown in  FIG. 1A .  
         [0030]     For each one of the alignment pegs  20 , there is an upper template hole  32  and a lower template hole  34  located in an identical position on the upper template  12  and the lower template  14 , respectively. The upper template holes  32  and lower template holes  34  are sized to closely fit with the alignment pegs  20  on the base plate  18 . When the upper template holes  32 , the lower template holes  34  and the alignment pegs  20  are in a mating engagement, the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  are impeded from moving relative to the base plate  18 . This feature greatly aids the user in operating the embossing system  10  without the risk of inadvertent movement of the upper template  12  or the lower template  14 . Additionally, this arrangement permits the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  from being completely removed from the base plate  18 . This permits the user to use different types of templates on the same base plate  18 , while also allowing the user to change the textured plate  16  depending upon the particular user needs.  
         [0031]     According to one embodiment of the invention, the individual alignment pegs  20  are removable such that the user is able to use larger pieces of paper or other oversized mediums without bending the medium when a medium  26  is disposed inside the embossing system  10 . This arrangement also permits the use of other templates of varying sizes which may or may not be provided with the embossing system  10  of the present invention.  
         [0032]     In one embodiment of the invention, the embossing system  10  includes a storage compartment  50  with a lid  52 . The storage compartment  50  and the lid  52  may be used to store a stylus  28 , other marking instruments and/or the alignment pegs  20 . A variety of types of locking mechanisms may be used to secure the lid  52 , enclosing the storage compartment  50 .  
         [0033]     The overall size of the embossing system  10  may vary depending upon the particular user requirements. In one embodiment of the invention, the embossing system  10  will be of a size to correspond to standard 8½″ by 11″ paper. Alternatively, the embossing system  10  could be sized to better fit standard greeting cards or other paper items. The embossing system may include a plurality of feet  54  coupled to the underside of the base plate  18 . The feet  54 , which may be formed from rubber or other materials, prevent or impede the base plate  18  from sliding along the surface upon which the embossing system  10  is placed.  
         [0034]     The upper template  12  and the lower template  14 , according to one embodiment of the invention, are made of PET or biaxially oriented film or mylar and can be transparent and/or tinted. The upper template  12  may include a preprinted upper template grid  53 , and the lower template  14  may include a preprinted lower template grid  51 . The upper template grid  53  and the lower template grid  51  may be used for properly aligning the medium  26 . The embossing system  10  may also include a self-healing cutting mat (not shown). The thickness of the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  may vary depending upon the particular use.  
         [0035]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower template  14  has a thickness of about 0.010-0.020 inches and is formed from an opaque, colored plastic material. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower template  14  has a thickness of about 0.010 inches. It has been observed that when the lower template  14  has a thickness of about 0.010 inches, the medium is less likely to be torn during the embossing process than when the lower template  14  has a greater thickness. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper template  12  has a greater thickness than the lower template, and it has been found that there is improved quality in the embossment when the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  have different thicknesses. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper template  12  has a thickness of about 0.015-0.020 inches, with a most preferred thickness of about 0.015 inches. Other thicknesses for the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  may be used, and it is also possible for the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  to be of substantially identical thicknesses.  
         [0036]     The upper template  12  and the lower template  14  may be laser cut, water jet cut, die cut, or punched out of sheet material. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the base plate  18  is injection molded.  
         [0037]     The embossing system  10  includes the stylus  28  or similar marking mechanism for embossing or scoring the medium  26 . A variety of types of marking mechanisms may be used. One exemplary form of marking device includes a ball bearing at one end thereof. One such device is currently marketed under the name EMPRESSOR™. Alternatively, a pencil or other drawing instrument could be used in place of the stylus  28 . The embossing system  10  can be used on a variety of medium  26  including without limitation paper, card stock, bond paper, thirty pound vellum, metal foil, and other such materials.  
         [0038]     The operation of the embossing system  10  is generally as follows. When a user desires to emboss a particular material, the user first selects the proper textured plate  16  and locates the selected textured plate  16  within the depression  30  of the base plate  18 . The user selects the particular shape to be embossed on the material, and places the lower template  14  containing that shape atop the base plate  18 , aligning the lower template holes  34  with the alignment pegs  20 . The user then positions the medium  26  on top of the lower template  14  in such a position as to cover the particular shape to be scored. Once the medium  26  is in a proper position, the user locates the upper template  12  on top of the medium  26  and the lower template  14 , aligning the upper template holes  32  with the alignment pegs  20 . The user maneuvers the stylus  28  within the particular upper template shape  22  which is to be embossed on the material  26 . During this process, the user may maneuver the stylus  28  along only the outer edge of the upper template shape  22 , or may maneuver it throughout the region. When the user is done maneuvering or scoring the upper template shapes  22 , the user removes the upper template  12 . The material  26  then includes an embossment corresponding to the upper template shape  22  and the lower template shape  24 .  
         [0039]     According to an alternate embodiment of the invention, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  can be a variety of shapes and may also only include the upper template holes  32  and the lower template holes  34  on an upper template margin  36  and a lower template margin  38 , respectively. Although the positioning of the individual upper template holes  32  and the lower template holes  34  can vary, the upper template holes  32  and the lower template holes  34  still operate to fix the position of the upper template  12  and lower template  14  so long as they mate with the alignment pegs  20  on the base plate  18 . In one embodiment of the invention, the upper template holes  32  and the lower template holes  34  are positioned to align with the standard European and/or American binder hole arrangements.  
         [0040]     In still another embodiment of the invention, and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  are joined together at a single margin  40  that includes margin alignment holes  42 . The single margin  40  provides the user the added benefit of keeping the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  together at all times, minimizing the risk of at least one of the upper template  12  or the lower template  14  being lost. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  are hingedly or flexedly connected to each other such that the medium  26  can be easily positioned and removed from the embossing system  10 .  
         [0041]     In yet another embodiment of the invention, an integrated clamp (not shown) may be used to further clamp the individual components of the embossing system  10  in place. For example, the integrated clamp can be used as a ruler for measuring and alignment of the medium  26  or other items in the embossing system  10 . The clamp can be spring tensioned to hold the individual components securely in place.  
         [0042]     The embossing system  10  may also include a storage lid (not shown) sized to fit on top of the upper and the lower templates  12  and  14 , the textured plate  16  and the base plate  18 , mating with the alignment pegs  20  to safely secure all of the components. Additionally, a small light (not shown) may be positioned inside the depression  30 . The light may be used to illuminate the medium  26  being embossed, making it easier for the user to identify whether the medium  26  has been embossed and, if so, the degree of embossment.  
         [0043]     Additionally, in one embodiment of the invention the embossing system could be shaped and sized to operate with a shape cutting system of the type described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/769,683, filed on Jan. 25, 2001, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/632,358, filed on Aug. 1, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. In this particular embodiment, the shape cutting device and associated materials are operated on the top of the base plate  18 . The alignment pegs  20  may also be of a sufficient height such that multiple templates and scoring guides from the shape cutting system could be stored with the embossing system  10 , resulting in a significant space savings.  
         [0044]      FIGS. 4-8  show another embodiment of the invention, where various parchment craft designs are formed in a simple and efficient manner.  FIGS. 4 and 5  show a lower parchment template  114  and an upper parchment template  112 . The upper parchment template  112  and the lower parchment template  114 , according to one embodiment of the invention, are made of PET or biaxially oriented film or mylar and can be transparent and/or tinted. The thickness of the upper parchment template  112  and the lower parchment template  114  may vary depending upon the particular use. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower parchment template  114  has a thickness of about 0.010-0.020 inches and is formed from an opaque, colored plastic material. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower parchment template  114  has a thickness of about 0.010 inches. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper parchment template  112  has a greater thickness than the lower parchment template  114 . It has also been found that there is generally an improved quality in the embossment when the upper parchment template  112  and the lower parchment template  114  have different thicknesses. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper template has a thickness of about 0.015-0.020 inches, with a most preferred thickness of about 0.015 inches. Other thicknesses for the upper parchment template  112  and the lower parchment template  114  may be used, and it is also possible for the upper parchment template  112  and the lower parchment template  114  to be of substantially identical thicknesses.  
         [0045]     The upper parchment template  112  includes a plurality of upper parchment template shapes  122 , and the lower parchment template  114  includes a plurality of lower parchment template shapes  124 . The upper parchment template shapes  122 , although identical to the corresponding lower parchment template shapes  124 , are slightly larger than the corresponding lower parchment template shapes  124  according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0046]     The upper parchment template  112  and the lower parchment template  114  are used in a manner substantially identical to the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . In particular, the user selects the particular shape to be embossed on the material, and places the lower parchment template  114  containing that shape atop the base plate  18  (see  FIG. 1A ). When using the lower parchment template  114  and the upper parchment template  112 , the user then positions the medium  26  ( FIG. 1B ) on top of the lower parchment template  114  in such a position as to cover the particular shape to be scored. Once the medium  26  is in a proper position, the user locates the upper parchment template  112  on top of the medium  26  and the lower parchment template  114 , aligning the upper parchment template  112  properly. The user maneuvers the stylus  28  within the particular template shape which is to be embossed on the material  26 . In one embodiment of the invention, a parchment craft stylus  115  of the type shown in  FIG. 9  is used to complete this embossing step. The parchment craft stylus  115  includes a first end  117  and a second end  119 , with the first end  117  being used for embossing and the second end  119  being used for piercing the medium  26  to create stippling, as will be later discussed.  
         [0047]     After the above step has been completed, the lower parchment template  114  and the upper parchment template  112  are removed. At this point, a small detail template  116  of type shown in  FIG. 6  is positioned atop the medium  26 , both of which are located on the base plate  18  (see  FIG. 1A ). The small detail template  116  includes a plurality of small detail openings  118  that are used to provide a series of highlights to the yet-to-be completed design. In one embodiment of the invention, a white pencil (not shown) is used instead of a stylus to make these highlights.  
         [0048]     The next step involves the removal of the small detail template  116  and addition of a stippling detail template  120  of the type shown in  FIG. 7 . The stippling detail template  120  includes a plurality of stippling openings  123  and a plurality of secondary openings  125 . The stippling detail template  120  is used to create a series of stipples (or dots) and other relatively small features in the design. In one embodiment of the invention, the second end  119  of the parchment craft stylus  115  is used to pierce the medium  26  instead of simply embossing it.  
         [0049]     As is the case with the upper template  12  and the lower template  14  shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper parchment template  112  includes a plurality of upper parchment template alignment holes  132 , and the lower parchment template  114  includes a plurality of lower parchment template alignment holes  134 . Additionally, the small detail template  116  includes a plurality of small detail template alignment holes  136 , and the stippling detail template  120  includes stippling detail template alignment holes  138 . All of these holes are used to quickly and easily align the individual templates with the medium  26  as necessary.  
         [0050]      FIG. 8  shows the development of one representative design  140  according to this particular embodiment of the invention. A first image  160  shows the design after the first stage of embossing has been completed using the upper parchment template  112  and the lower parchment template  114 . A second image  162  shows the design after the small detail template  116  has been used to add additional detail to the design. A third image  164  shows the completed design, after the stippling detail template  120  has been used to add the final features of the design.  
         [0051]     In another embodiment of the invention, instead of using both the upper parchment template  112  and the lower parchment template  114  together, only one of these parchment templates is used. Additionally, the selected parchment template could be shaped and sized to operate with a shape cutting system of the type described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/769,683, filed on Jan. 25, 2001, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/632,358, filed on Aug. 1, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0052]     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, that potential modifications can be made to the embodiments described above. For example, a variety of coupling mechanisms other than the alignment pegs  20  may be used to secure the upper and lower templates  12  and  14  to the base plate  18 . Alternatively, it is possible to have the textured plate  16  mate with the alignment pegs  20  of the base plate  18 . The various templates could also be used with regular cardstock paper, in addition to parchment and parchment paper, in various embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the entire embossing system  10  can be used in the creation of cards and envelopes of various sizes. It will therefore be well understood by those in the art that modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.