Jigsaw Puzzle Sorter Device

Abstract

A puzzle sorter device is disclosed that allows puzzle users to sort puzzle pieces by various desired means. The puzzle sorter device comprises a sorting sheet component that is configured in a rectangular shape that measures approximately eleven inches in length and eight inches in width. The sorting sheet component would comprise a cardstock base sheet component with a felt top sheet component secured on top. Each sorting sheet component can hold up to 60 puzzle pieces at a time, with the sheets accommodating small to very large pieces, such as 100 to 3,000 piece puzzles.

Claims

1. A puzzle sorter device that provides a user with a plurality of sorting sheets to allow users to sort puzzle pieces by various desired means, the puzzle sorter device comprising: a sorting sheet component; wherein the sorting sheet component comprises a cardstock base sheet component secured to a felt top sheet component; wherein a plurality of puzzle pieces are sorted and positioned on the felt top sheet component for organization and transport; and further wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces are retained by the felt top sheet component, which prevents the plurality of puzzle pieces from sliding off the puzzle sorter device or falling off a puzzle table.

2. The puzzle sorter device of claim 1, wherein the sorting sheet component is configured in a rectangular shape.

3. The puzzle sorter device of claim 2, wherein the sorting sheet component measures approximately eleven inches in length and eight inches in width and 0.25 inches in thickness.

4. The puzzle sorter device of claim 3, wherein the felt top sheet component is typically secured to the cardstock base sheet component via adhesives, glue, tape, or thermally bonded.

5. The puzzle sorter device of claim 4, wherein the sorting sheet component is sized and shaped to hold up to approximately 60 puzzle pieces at a time.

6. The puzzle sorter device of claim 5, wherein the sorting sheet component can accommodate small to very large puzzle pieces.

7. The puzzle sorter device of claim 6, wherein the sorting sheet component facilitates movement of the plurality of puzzle pieces when building a puzzle, allowing a user to be able to reach every one of the plurality of puzzle pieces without leaving their seat.

8. The puzzle sorter device of claim 7, wherein any suitable number of the sorting sheet component can be utilized with a puzzle, depending on a size of the puzzle.

9. The puzzle sorter device of claim 8, wherein the sorting sheet component comprises a peripheral raised border providing a recess for supporting the plurality of puzzle pieces and rounded corners for handles.

10. The puzzle sorter device of claim 9, wherein the felt top sheet component comprises a grid indicia to facilitate the positioning of the plurality of puzzle pieces in columns and rows and according to color or shape.

11. The puzzle sorter device of claim 10, wherein the grid indicia is printed directly on the felt top sheet component or on a removable sheet of paper placed on the sorting sheet component.

12. The puzzle sorter device of claim 11, wherein the sorting sheet component is packaged together and sold in a container.

13. The puzzle sorter device of claim 12, wherein the sorting sheet component is dimensioned to fit in a standard-size puzzle box or the container, and multiple sorting sheet components with the plurality of puzzle pieces are stacked and stored into the standard-size puzzle box or into the container.

14. A puzzle sorter device that provides a user with a plurality of sorting sheets to allow users to sort puzzle pieces by various desired means, the puzzle sorter device comprising: a sorting sheet component configured in a rectangular shape; wherein the sorting sheet component measures approximately eleven inches in length and eight inches in width and 0.25 inches in thickness; wherein the sorting sheet component comprises a cardstock base sheet component secured to a felt top sheet component; wherein a plurality of puzzle pieces are sorted and positioned on the felt top sheet component for organization and transport; wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces are retained by the felt top sheet component, which prevents the plurality of puzzle pieces from sliding off the puzzle sorter device or falling off a puzzle table; wherein the sorting sheet component facilitates movement of the plurality of puzzle pieces when building a puzzle, allowing a user to be able to reach every one of the plurality of puzzle pieces without leaving their seat; wherein any suitable number of the sorting sheet component can be utilized with a puzzle, depending on a size of the puzzle; and further wherein the sorting sheet component is packaged together and sold in a container.

15. The puzzle sorter device of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

16. The puzzle sorter device of claim 14, wherein the sorting sheet component is dimensioned to fit in a standard-size puzzle box or the container, and multiple sorting sheet components with the plurality of puzzle pieces are stacked and stored into the standard-size puzzle box or into the container.

17. The puzzle sorter device of claim 14, wherein the sorting sheet component comprises a peripheral raised border providing a recess for supporting the plurality of puzzle pieces and rounded corners for handles.

18. The puzzle sorter device of claim 14, wherein the felt top sheet component comprises a grid indicia to facilitate the positioning of the plurality of puzzle pieces in columns and rows and according to color or shape.

19. The puzzle sorter device of claim 18, wherein the grid indicia is printed directly on the felt top sheet component or on a removable sheet of paper placed on the sorting sheet component.

20. A method of sorting and organizing a plurality of puzzle pieces when building a puzzle, the method comprising the following steps: providing a puzzle sorter device comprising a plurality of sorting sheet components which each comprise a cardstock base sheet with a felt top sheet secured on top; sorting and organizing puzzle pieces while building a puzzle; placing specific puzzle pieces on the plurality of sorting sheet components; stacking the plurality of sorting sheet components and puzzle pieces on top of one another; and storing the stacked sorting sheet components and puzzle pieces in the puzzle box for storage and transport.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0026] FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a top perspective view of one embodiment of the puzzle sorter device of the present invention showing the cardstock base sheet secured to the felt top sheet with puzzle pieces positioned on the top sheet in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the puzzle sorter device of the present invention showing how the pieces are kept stable for storage and transport in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the puzzle sorter device of the present invention showing how the sorting sheets can be utilized to organize pieces in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the puzzle sorter device of the present invention showing the puzzle pieces placed on the sorting sheet in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the puzzle sorter device of the present invention showing the sorting sheets in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of sorting and organizing a plurality of puzzle pieces when building a puzzle in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0032] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0033] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that provides users with felt sheets for accommodating up to 60 individual puzzle pieces for storage and organization. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that includes a card stock backing to ensure the sheet remains flat and in place while pieces are adorned on the felt sheet. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that enables users to stack the sheets within a puzzle box when not in use to prevent the loss of puzzle pieces.

[0034] Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that offers a simple and convenient method of storing sorted puzzle pieces for safekeeping until users can continue with their puzzle.

[0035] Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that facilitates movement of the pieces without requiring a user to move around the table. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a puzzle sorter device that allows a user to travel with their puzzle.

[0036] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel puzzle sorter device.

[0037] The device is a set of felt sheets that will allow puzzle users to sort puzzle pieces by various desired means. The puzzle sorter device comprises a sorting sheet component that comprises a cardstock base sheet component with a felt top sheet component secured on top. Each sorting sheet component can hold up to 60 puzzle pieces at a time, with the sheets accommodating small to very large pieces, such as 100 to 3,000 piece puzzles. The sorting sheets facilitate the movement of the puzzle pieces, allowing a user to stay in one position while building the puzzle. The present invention also includes a novel method of sorting and organizing a plurality of puzzle pieces when building a puzzle. The method includes the steps of providing a puzzle sorter device comprising a plurality of sorting sheet components which each comprise a cardstock base sheet with a felt top sheet secured on top. The method also comprises sorting and organizing puzzle pieces while building a puzzle. Further, the method comprises placing specific puzzle pieces on the plurality of sorting sheet components. The method comprises stacking the plurality of sorting sheet components and puzzle pieces on top of one another. Finally, the method comprises storing the stacked sorting sheet components and puzzle pieces in the puzzle box for storage and transport.

[0038] Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-B illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the puzzle sorter device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the puzzle sorter device 100 is an improved puzzle sorter device 100 that provides a user 110 with a plurality of sorting sheets 102 to allow users 110 to sort puzzle pieces 108 by various desired means. Specifically, the puzzle sorter device 100 comprises a plurality of sorting sheet components 102 which comprise a cardstock base sheet component 104 secured to a felt top sheet component 106. The sorting sheet component 102 is configured in a rectangular shape that measures approximately the size of a standard sheet of paper. Each sorting sheet component 102 can hold a multitude of puzzle pieces 108 at one time, with the sheets 102 accommodating various sized puzzle pieces 108.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the puzzle sorter device 100 comprises a sorting sheet component 102 that is configured in a rectangular shape or any other suitable shape as is known in the art, such as square, round, oval, etc. Generally, the sorting sheet components 102 measure approximately eleven inches in length and eight inches in width, and 0.25 inches in thickness, or any other suitable measurements as is known in the art but typically the size of a standard sheet of paper. In one embodiment, the sorting sheet components 102 are available in a variety of sizes and shapes depending on the wants and/or needs of a user 110 and the size of the puzzle 112 being built.

[0040] Furthermore, the sorting sheet component 102 comprises a cardstock base sheet component 104 with a felt top sheet component 106 secured on top. The cardstock base sheet component 104 can be manufactured of cardstock material or any other suitable supporting material as is known in the art, such as posterboard, fiberboard, cardboard, laminated material, etc. Further, the felt top sheet component 106 can be manufactured of a felt material or any other suitable thick material as is known in the art, such as velvet, carpet, fleece, etc. Additionally, the felt top sheet component 106 is typically secured to the cardstock base sheet component 104 via adhesives, glue, tape, thermally bonded, etc., or any other suitable securing means as is known in the art. Generally, each sorting sheet component 102 is sized and shaped to hold up to approximately 60 puzzle pieces 108 at a time, with the sorting sheet components 102 accommodating small to very large pieces 108, such as 100 to 3,000 piece puzzles 112.

[0041] In use, puzzle pieces 108 are organized and sorted by various desired means based on the user 110 and the puzzle 112 being built. Then, the puzzle pieces 108 are placed on the plurality of sorting sheet components 102 and retained by the felt top sheet component 106, which prevents the puzzle pieces 108 from sliding off the device 100 and/or falling off the table 114. The puzzle pieces 108 organized on the device 100 can then be easily manipulated and moved around the puzzle 112, allowing a user 110 to stay in one position while building the puzzle 112. Thus, the sorting sheet components 102 facilitate movement of the puzzle pieces 108 when building the puzzle 112, no matter the size of the puzzle 112, allowing a user 110 to be able to reach every puzzle piece 108 without leaving their seat or having to move around the puzzle table 114.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the puzzle sorter device 100 of the present invention comprises a plurality of sorting sheet components 102, adapted to be oriented relative to each other in one direction to provide a compact interconnected stack for storage, or oriented in opposite directions to each other for organization of the puzzle pieces 108 stored on each sorting sheet component 102. It is to be understood that any selected number of sorting sheet components 102 can be used in the puzzle sorter device 100, with the number of sorting sheet components 102 normally being determined by the size of the jigsaw puzzle 112 being built. For example, 100 piece puzzles 112 would use less sorting sheet components 102 than a 3,000 piece puzzle 112.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, generally the sorting sheet components 102 are flat in configuration but in one embodiment, the sorting sheet components 102 comprise a rectangular configuration having a peripheral raised border 400 providing a recess 402 in the main body portion of the sorting sheet components 102 for supporting the puzzle pieces 108 and to better retain the puzzle pieces 108 on the sorting sheet component 102. The longitudinally extending sides of the border 400 are further provided with rounded edges 404 to provide handles to facilitate manipulating the sorting sheet components 102.

[0044] Furthermore, in another embodiment, the felt top sheet components 106 can comprise a grid indicia 406 to facilitate the positioning of the various puzzle pieces 108 in columns and rows and according to color and/or shape on a respective sorting sheet component 102. The grid 406 can be printed directly on the felt top sheet components 106 of a sorting sheet component 102 or on a removable sheet of paper 408 placed on the sorting sheet component 102. The grid 406 can also have light or dark-colored backgrounds in order to contrast with the puzzle pieces 108 positioned on it.

[0045] Generally, the sorting sheet components 102 are dimensioned to fit in a standard-size puzzle box 410, and in use, the various puzzle pieces 108 are placed on the grid 406 in a respective felt top sheet component 106, in columns and rows, according to color and/or shape to facilitate the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle 112. If the puzzle 112 is not completed in one sitting, the sorting sheet components 102, containing the remaining puzzle pieces 108 can be oriented to a stacked position 412, whereby the puzzle pieces 108 are temporarily stacked until the puzzle 112 is completed, whereupon the sorting sheet components 102 are oriented into a compact stack 412 for storage in the puzzle box 410.

[0046] Furthermore, the sorting sheet components 102 are packaged together and sold in a plastic or cardboard box or other container 414. Further, the sorting sheet components 102 can be stacked on top of each other without the loss of the puzzle pieces 108 positioned on the felt top sheet components 106. Once stacked, the sorting sheet components 102 and puzzle pieces 108 can be placed into the original puzzle box 410 or into the box/container 414 the sorting sheet components 102 came in for storage and transport. Thus, the puzzle box 410 or retail sorting sheet box 414 can keep the puzzle pieces 108 already sorted for safekeeping until the user 110 can continue with the puzzle 112. This will also allow the user 110 to travel with their puzzle 112 to different places at home or away and continue their puzzle 112 at any time.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the puzzle sorter device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 500. The sorting sheet component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the sorting sheet component 102, or any other indicia 500 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 500 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be a puzzle, sorting sheet, or brand related.

[0048] From the above description, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the puzzle sorter device 100 of the present invention promotes the organization of loose puzzle pieces 108 based on color and/or geometry and other various desired means, thereby facilitating the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle 112 while providing temporary storage for the puzzle pieces 108 until the completion of the puzzle 112.

[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method of sorting and organizing a plurality of puzzle pieces when building a puzzle. The method includes the steps of at 600, providing a puzzle sorter device comprising a plurality of sorting sheet components which each comprise a cardstock base sheet with a felt top sheet secured on top. The method also comprises at 602, sorting and organizing puzzle pieces while building a puzzle. Further, the method comprises at 604, placing specific puzzle pieces on the plurality of sorting sheet components. The method comprises at 606, stacking the plurality of sorting sheet components and puzzle pieces on top of one another. Finally, the method comprises at 608, storing the stacked sorting sheet components and puzzle pieces in the puzzle box for storage and transport.

[0050] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users, may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein puzzle sorter device, puzzle device and device are interchangeable and refer to the puzzle sorter device 100 of the present invention.

[0051] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the puzzle sorter device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the puzzle sorter device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 is for illustrative purposes only, and many other sizes and shapes of the puzzle sorter device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the puzzle sorter device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the puzzle sorter device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0052] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0053] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.