# US 5,887,366 A · Paper product and method of making > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,887,366 A - Document ID: US5887366A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/763,221 - Filed: 1996-12-10 - Granted: 1999-03-30 - Earliest claimed: 1994-08-05 - Assignees: Volkert, Inc. - Inventors: Carolyn K. Volkert; Andrew M. Volkert - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5887366A ## CPC - B31D 5/04: including folding or pleating, e.g. Chinese lanterns - B42D 15/008: {Foldable or folded sheets} - B42D 15/042: {Foldable cards or sheets (B42D15/045 and B42D15/08 take precedence)} - G09F 1/06: to be erected in three dimensions [3D] (G09F1/08 takes precedence) - Y10T 428/15: Sheet, web, or layer weakened to permit separation through thickness - B31D: MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN SUBCLASSES B31B OR B31C (manufacture by dry processes of articles made from particles or fibres consisting of wood or other lignocellulosic or like organic material B27N; making layered products not composed wholly of paper or cardboard B32B; making articles from cellulosic fibrous suspensions, e.g. wood pulp, D21J) - B42D: BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Sheet material pieces comprising a plurality of panels that are connected together in hinged relationship are fabricated so that a stand-out structure die-cut into one of the panels assumes an attention-attracting, 3-dimensional orientation upon the opening of the hinged panels as a result of interconnection of portions of the stand-out structure with the facing panel surface. Because one panel can be imperforate, of desired, particular advantages are obtained in mass production and other machine-assembly methods as a result of such a configuration. A variety of methods are shown for efficiently producing such pieces via mass-production, including items having multiple stand-out structures. Flat individual blanks in sheet form are particularly adapted to be conveyed through laser printers, copy machines and other suitable imprinting equipment in order to inexpensively personalize such blanks, which can be used to create a variety of different 3-dimensional items, including novelty sunvisors. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A blank for fabrication into a 3-dimensional item, said blank comprising a first panel of sheet material having an upper surface and an under surface, die-cut means in said first panel forming a stand-out structure having a main body portion and at least one link member having two ends located generally within a frame provided by the remainder of said first panel and also forming a subpanel having a leg and a crossbar, with said crossbar having ends that are located outside of said frame, a first line of weakness in said blank along which said main body portion is hinged to one said end of said at least one link member and a second line of weakness in said blank which defines the other said end of said at least one link member, said at least one link member being hinged at its other said end to said frame, and said frame being hinged to said crossbar, so that when an undersurface of said subpanel is bonded to a supporting surface of greater dimensions then said first panel and when said frame is pivoted about 180.degree. with respect to said subpanel so that a portion of it becomes superimposed upon a portion of said subpanel, said hinged at least one link member causes said stand-out structure to move prominently away, in an attention-attracting mode, from the supporting surface to which said subpanel is bonded. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A blank according to claim 1 wherein said at least one link member is partially defined by said first and second lines of weakness which are parallel to each other, and wherein adhesive means is provided on the undersurface of said subpanel for bonding said subpanel to said supporting surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A blank according to claim 1 wherein said main body portion is hinged to said leg of said subpanel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A blank according to claim 1 wherein said at least one link member includes a pair of link members, said main body portion is hinged to said leg of said subpanel and said pair of said link members are hinged to said main body portion and to said frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A blank according to claim 2 wherein additional adhesive means is provided on the under surface of a portion of said frame generally along an edge spaced from said hinged connection to said crossbar. ### Claim 6 A blank for fabrication into a 3-dimensional item, said blank comprising a sheet material panel having an upper surface and an under surface, die-cut means in said panel which forms a stand-out structure having a main body portion, a hinged subpanel, at least one link member and the remainder of said panel, a first line of weakness in said panel along which said main body portion is hinged to said at least one link member and a second line of weakness in said panel along which said main body portion is hinged to said subpanel, and said at least one link member being hinged to said remainder of said panel along a third line of weakness, so that when an under surface of said subpanel is bonded to a supporting surface of greater dimensions than said sheet material panel and when said remainder of said panel is moved relative to said subpanel, said hinged at least one link member causes said stand-out structure to move prominently away, in an attention-attracting mode, from the supporting surface to which said subpanel is bonded. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A blank according to claim 6 wherein said first and second lines of weakness are parallel to each other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A blank according to claim 6 wherein said at least one link member includes two said link members which are located in flanking relationship to a section of said main body portion of said stand-out structure, and wherein each of said two link members is hinged to said remainder of said panel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) A blank according to claim 6 wherein said remainder of said panel contains a frame which generally surrounds said main body portion of said stand-out structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) A blank according to claim 6 wherein said second and third lines of weakness are colinear. ### Claim 11 A blank for fabrication into a 3-dimensional item, said blank comprising a first panel of sheet material having an upper surface and an under surface, die-cut means in said first panel forming a stand-out structure separate from a remainder of said panel, said stand-out structure comprising a main body portion and at least one link member having first and second ends, and said remainder of said panel comprising a frame and a subpanel, with said main body portion and said one link member being located generally within said frame, and with said subpanel having a crossbar portion that is located outside of said frame, said main body portion being hinged to said first end of said at least one link member and said second end of said at least one link member being hinged to said remainder of said first panel, and said frame being hinged to said crossbar portion, so that, when an under surface of said subpanel is bonded to a supporting surface of greater dimensions than said first panel and when said frame is pivoted about 180.degree. with respect to said subpanel so that a portion of it becomes superimposed upon a portion of said subpanel, said at least one link member causes said stand-out structure to move prominently away, in an attention-attracting mode, from the supporting surface to which said subpanel is bonded. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A blank according to claim 11 wherein adhesive means is provided on the under surface of said subpanel for bonding said subpanel to said supporting surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A blank according to claim 11 wherein said at least one link member is partially defined at its first and second said ends by first and second lines of weakness which are parallel to each other and along which said at least one link is hingedly attached to said main body portion and to said remainder of said first panel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A blank according to claim 1 wherein said at least one link member includes a pair of link members, wherein said main body portion is hinged to said subpanel and wherein said pair of link members are each hinged at said first end thereof to said main body portion and at said second end thereof to said frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A blank according to claim 11 wherein said frame is generally C-shaped and is hinged to said crossbar portion.