KNOT-TYING TOOL FOR FORMING DOUBLE LOOPS

Abstract

A knot-tying tool includes a hand-held body with a pressing section at one end for securing a ribbon against an object, and first and second loop forming sections to assist in forming a decorative knot with at least two loops. The second loop forming section comprises a slit and a finger space to support loop reversal and insertion. The tool may further include markings indicating the knotting procedure.

Claims

1. A knot-tying tool for placing a string for wrapping around an object, and forming a knot having at least two loops, comprising: a main body which may be hand-held by a user; an intersection pressing section formed in one end of the main body for pinching an intersection of the ribbon wrapped around the object between the object and this intersection pressing section; a first loop forming section provided in the opposing end from the intersection pressing section of the main body for hooking and folding one of two intersecting ribbon end parts extending from the first intersection; and a second loop forming section provided between the intersection pressing section and the first loop forming section, for passing the other ribbon end part, extending from the above intersection, through under a first loop and reverse to form a second loop.

2. The knot-tying tool of claim 1, wherein the second loop forming section is provided between the intersection pressing section and the first loop forming section, and comprises a slit for passing the ribbon therethrough after it was folded back from the first loop forming section 27; and a space section 30 for enabling the user's finger, grasping the second loop, to insert therein.

3. The knot-tying tool of claim 1, further comprising: a folding slit for folding the string at a 45-degree angle.

4. The knot-tying tool of claim 1, wherein there are arrows and numbers printed on one side or both sides of the knot-tying tool for indicating procedures to form a knot with a string.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wrapping kit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wrapping kit according to the one embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 3 are a plan view and a side view, respectively, of a creasing tool according to the one embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a form of the creasing tool in use according to the one embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing positional relationship among packaging paper, an object, and the creasing tool according to the one embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a server and a user interface according to the one embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a wrapping process according to the one embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the wrapping process according to the one embodiment;

[0033] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the wrapping process according to the one embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the wrapping process according to the one embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the wrapping process according to the one embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the wrapping process according to the one embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the wrapping process according to the one embodiment;

[0038] FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the wrapping process according to the one embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a ribbon knot-tying tool according to the one embodiment;

[0040] FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the ribbon knot-tying tool according to the one embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing a ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0042] FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0044] FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0045] FIG. 21 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0046] FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0047] FIG. 23 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0048] FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0049] FIG. 25 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0050] FIG. 26 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0051] FIG. 27 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0052] FIG. 28 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0053] FIG. 29 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0054] FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0055] FIG. 31 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment;

[0056] FIG. 32 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment; and

[0057] FIG. 33 is a schematic view showing the ribbon knot-tying process according to the one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following explanation, FIGS. 1 to 14 together with paragraphs [0051]-[0074] primarily describe the wrapping tool kit and the creasing tool, whereas the detailed description of the knot-tying tool of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 15, commences at paragraph [0075].

1. Wrapping Tool Kit

[0059] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 respectively show a wrapping tool kit according to the present embodiment.

[0060] This kit houses and is defined by a case 1, a creasing tool 2 housed in the case 1, a ribbon tying tool 3, and a cutting ruler 4, which are wrapping tools used for wrapping an object of wrapping such as a present, a product, or the like.

[0061] In this case 1, recesses 1a-1c are formed in optimal shapes in predetermined positions, respectively, for housing each of the tools 2-5 in such a way that these tools may be encased in a well-organized manner by inserting the tools 2-4 in the recesses 1a-1c, respectively.

[0062] This case 1 has a transparent lid, which is not shown, so that closing the case 1 with the lid will prevent the respective tools 2-4 from falling off the case 1.

2. Creasing Tool

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3, the creasing tool 2 has a generally rectangular thin plate main body 9; a first hinge 10 provided over the full width of the thin plate main body 9 in a first direction; a second hinge 11 that is provided over the full width of the thin plate main body 9 in a second direction and crosses the first hinge 10; and a third hinge 13 that extends in one direction from the intersection 12 of the first hinge 10 and the second hinge 11 toward the outside of the main body along a bisection line of the angle formed by the first hinge 10 and the second hinge 11.

[0064] The thin plate main body 9 is formed of, for example, a translucent plastic material such as polypropylene or the like. The above first to third hinges 10, 11, 13 are respectively formed by reducing the plate thickness in parts along them by pressing, cutting, or laser milling on both or one of the sides of this thin plate main body 9.

[0065] These first to third hinges 10, 11, 13 divide the thin plate main body 9 into first to fifth panels 1-5 shown as 2a-2e in the figure. Among these panels, the first panel indicated with 2a (which is located in point symmetry relative to the above third hinge 13 about the intersection 12 of the first and second hinges 10, 11) is used in such a way that it is inserted under packaging paper (wrapping paper) with an object of wrapping (e.g., a box) placed on the packaging paper, as described further below.

[0066] Therefore, the thickness of the thin plate main body 9 is preferably 1.5 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.5 mm or less so that the thin plate main body 9 may be inserted under the packaging paper smoothly. Also, corners of this thin plate main body 9 are preferably chamfered or rounded.

[0067] Further, a reference line 15 is drawn on this thin plate main body 9 for positioning the creasing tool 2 against an edge of the packaging paper. The way to use this reference line 15 will be described in the next usage section.

3. Functions of the Creasing Tool

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, it is contemplated that the panels indicated as the second and third panels 2b, 2c are used in such a way that they stand up by being folded upward in a valley fold along the sides of the wrapping object with the first panel 2a as a reference. As these second and third panels 2b, 2c are raised upright, the third hinge section is folded in a mountain fold with the intersection 12 of the first and second hinges as a fulcrum and with the other end points being raised; and the triangular fourth and fifth panels 2d, 2e, sandwiching the third hinge 13, are folded to overlap each other.

[0069] By performing the above actions with the packaging paper and the object being placed on the first panel 2a, the packaging paper is sandwiched and folded between the object and the second-fifth panels 2b-2e, and creased along the first to third hinges 10, 11, 13.

3. How to Use the Creasing Tool

[0070] As shown in FIG. 5, the present embodiment will be described in a following case, where a box-shaped object 18 is placed on a piece of packaging paper 17 cut into a rectangular shape of an appropriate size (width W, height H), and the object will be rolled and wrapped at an angle (by diagonal wrapping) from the front to back, as indicated with an arrow.

(1) Setting the Packaging Paper Size

[0071] Here, the size of the packaging paper 17 is preferably obtained by calculation, and when the object 18 is a hexahedron, for example, the packaging paper size is calculated from three parameters: lengths of the longest side a, the second longest side b, and the shortest side c of the object; and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a packaging paper size calculation program 21 installed in a server 19 is configured to perform this calculation and provide a user interface 20 on a display of a smartphone or the like.

[0072] In this embodiment, the packaging paper size calculation program 21 is configured to determine the packaging paper size H, W according to an angle (theta) of the reference line provided on the creasing tool 2, and a distance t between the reference line 15 and the intersection 12.

[0073] Accordingly, this packaging paper size calculation program 21 performs a calculation using a creasing tool type; the angle of the reference line 15 and the distance t according to that type; length a-c of the object 18; and a required margin d (not shown), outputs the packaging paper dimensions H, W, and displays them to a user.

[0074] Also, options for the creasing tool are preferably displayed for selection since the type of the creasing tool 2 is used for the above calculation. Moreover, options for the packaging paper 17 are preferably provided as well since the margin varies depending on the paper used as the packaging paper.

[0075] Further, when the object 18 is a cube, in other words, when a-c have the same value, non-regular wrapping method may be selected (i.e., the furthest position of the box will change), and therefore, the packaging paper size calculation program 21 preferably comprises a program for determining if the object is a cube or if a-c are equal or generally equal.

[0076] Also, the program 21 is preferably adapted to draw a graphic according to a selected box shape as well as output a paper size on the user interface.

[0077] Here, shaping of the packaging paper 17 may be performed by either cutting a piece of paper of the determined size out of a larger piece of paper, or folding unnecessary part or parts of a larger piece of paper.

(2) Positioning Process

[0078] First, an object 18 and packaging paper 17 are positioned using the creasing tool 2. When the diagonal wrapping is used, as shown in FIG. 5, an initial position of the object 18 on the packaging paper 17 is important.

[0079] Then, first, the reference line 15 of the creasing tool 2 is placed on the packaging paper 17 so that the reference line 15 aligns or overlaps with a front edge 17a of the packaging paper 17. At this point, the reference line 15 is positioned such that, for example, the dimension to the intersection 12 indicated as t in the figure is 2.5 cm (1 inch) and that the angle with the first hinge 10 is 33 degrees.

[0080] At the same time, the side a, the longest of the three sides constituting the object 18 is aligned along the first hinge 10, and the shortest side is aligned along the second hinge 11. At this point, a corner K1, which is the front-most corner of the object 18 among its corners contacting the packaging paper 17, should be precisely on the intersection 12 of the first and second hinges 10, 11.

[0081] Also, a corner K2, which is the rear-most corner of the object 18 among its corners contacting the packaging paper 17, is positioned so that the corner K2 will be generally on a right-side edge 17b of the packaging paper 17 by translating the creasing tool 2 and the object 18 along a front edge 17a of the packaging paper 17 (arrow Y) to adjust positions of the creasing tool 2 and the object 18 relative to the packaging paper 17.

[0082] Thus, when the reference line 15 is aligned on the front edge 17a of the packaging paper 17, and simultaneously the corners K1 and K2 of the object 18 are positioned with the creasing tool 2 and the packaging paper 17 as above, the creasing tool 2 is pulled out as shown in FIG. 7, and a creasing process is started as shown in FIG. 8 and later.

(2) First Creasing Step

[0083] First, as shown in FIG. 8, the creasing tool 2 is inserted under the packaging paper 17, and aligned such that the positions of the intersection 12 and the front-left corner K1 of the object 18 coincide.

[0084] Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the front second panel 2b of the creasing tool 2 is raised so that a right corner triangle part of the packaging paper 17 is folded upward along the first hinge 10. Then, while maintaining the position of the box relative to the packaging paper, roll over the box backwards by 90 degrees. Accordingly, one of the largest sides of the object 18 is positioned at the bottom as shown in FIG. 10.

[0085] At this point, as indicated with an arrow in FIG. 10, the first panel 2a part of the creasing tool 2 is inserted under the packaging paper so that the position of the intersection 12 coincides with a corner K3, which is now the front-left-most corner of the object's bottom surface (FIG. 11), and the first hinge section 10 is also aligned along the object's longest side a. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the second panel 2b of the creasing tool 2 is folded up in a valley fold along the first hinge 10, and the second hinge 11 is folded up in a valley fold. Thus, as described above, the outer end of the third hinge 13 is raised and simultaneously folded in a mountain fold, to create a crease in the packaging paper, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0086] With the present creasing tool, the part of the packaging paper 17 which is folded inward and become invisible from outside (the part inside the circle in the figure) may be formed easily and aesthetically by folding the first to third hinge sections 10, 11, 13 at the same time to thereby forming a step fold while creating an inside reverse fold.

[0087] Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the creasing tool 2 is removed, and after folding the packaging paper 17 along the crease made with the creasing tool 2 as above, a triangular part of the packaging paper 17 is folded over the object 18, as shown in FIG. 14.

(3) Repeating the Creasing Step for the Second Time and Later

[0088] Subsequently, creases will be made sequentially in the same manner as above for a rear-left corner K4, a right-side corner K5, and a rear-most corner K6, as shown in FIG. 14. In other words, for each corner, steps of making a crease with the creasing tool 2; removing the creasing tool 2; and rolling the box rearward while folding the packaging paper toward the box, are repeated, and finally, a piece of adhesive tape is affixed to finish wrapping.

4. Ribbon-Tying Tool

[0089] Next, a ribbon-tying tool 3 will be described in reference with FIG. 15 and later.

[0090] This ribbon-tying tool 3, as shown in FIG. 15, is a tool for wrapping a ribbon around an object 18 finished with paper wrapping, and forming a bowknot, comprising: a main body 25 which may be hand-held by a user; an intersection pressing section 26 formed in one end of the main body 25 for pinching the first intersection of the ribbon wrapped around the object 18 between the object and this intersection pressing section 26; a first loop forming section 27 provided in the opposing end from the intersection pressing section 26 for hooking and folding one of two intersecting ribbon end parts extending from the first intersection; and a second loop forming section 28 provided between the intersection pressing section 26 and the first loop forming section 27, for forming a second loop with the other ribbon end part extending from the above intersection, and subsequently making the second loop pass through under a first loop and reverse.

[0091] Here, the second loop forming section 28 is provided between the intersection pressing section 26 and the first loop forming section 27, and comprises a slit 29 for passing the ribbon therethrough after it was folded back from the first loop forming section 27; and a space section 30 for enabling the user's finger, grasping the second loop, to insert therein.

[0092] Also, this tying tool 3 comprises a ribbon-folding slit 31 extending the from the slit 29 at an angle of 45 degrees for folding the ribbon back.

[0093] Further, there are arrows and numbers printed on this tying tool 3, as shown in FIG. 15, for indicating procedures to tie the ribbon in a bowknot on the front side. Moreover, on the back of the tying tool 3, there are arrows and numbers printed, as shown in FIG. 16, for indicating procedures to hook the ribbon crosswise to create an intersection.

5. How to Use the Ribbon-Tying Tool

[0094] In this embodiment example, a criss-cross bow will be described by way of example.

(1) Forming an Intersecting Part

[0095] First, as shown in FIG. 17, the ribbon-tying tool 3 is placed at a desirable position to make a knot on the surface of the object 18.

[0096] Next, as shown in FIG. 18, FIG. 19, place one end of a ribbon 32 at the bottom in front, take the rest of the ribbon upward and over to the rear side, and wrap it around once back to the bottom front of the object 18. Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the ribbon 32 wrapped around once is taken upward into the folding slit 31 of the ribbon-tying tool 3 and folded leftward to be redirected laterally.

[0097] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 21, the redirected ribbon 32 is wrapped around once from behind the object, and then, as shown in FIG. 22, passed under the ribbon pressing section 26, lifted upward somewhat to be hooked by the part indicated with an arrow in the figure.

[0098] Next, after removing the ribbon 32 from the folding section 31, the ribbon-tying tool 3 is lifted right-upward while the ribbon is still hooked by the pressing section 26, as shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 24. Then, after the ribbon 32 hooked by the pressing section 26 is completely pulled out (FIG. 25), ends 32a, 32b of the ribbon 32 are pulled strongly in opposite directions to thereby create a criss-cross intersecting part 34, as shown in FIG. 26.

(2) Forming a Bowknot

[0099] Next, after the ribbon-tying tool 3 is turned over, the pressing section 26 is placed over the criss-cross intersecting part and pressed down by a finger. Then, the right-hand side ribbon end 32a is folded over to the left side so that it extends leftward exiting from under the space section 30 of the ribbon-tying tool 3, and the part where ribbon end 32a is folded is pressed down by the ribbon pressing section 3 as well.

[0100] Next, as shown in FIG. 28, the left-hand side ribbon end 32b is lifted upward and looped by hand, and the loop is hooked over the first loop forming section 27. Then, as shown in FIG. 29, the folded-down part of the ribbon is moved rightward and pulled out of the slit 29 to extend downward on the right side.

[0101] Subsequently, the originally right-hand side ribbon 32a, which had been folded leftward, is folded rightward, looped, and passed through under the originally left-hand side ribbon 32b, which had been folded and looped vertically, as indicated with an arrow in the figure. The space section 30 is provided in order to facilitate this task.

[0102] Thus, the second loop is formed of the left-hand side ribbon end 32b, as shown in FIG. 30, and further, pulling down the second loop creates a knot around the pressing section 26, as shown in FIG. 31.

[0103] Next, the ribbon-tying tool 3 is removed from the knot, as shown in FIG. 32, and a bowknot is completed by more strongly tying and adjust the bow shape.

[0104] Although the optimal embodiment of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that the present invention is not be limited to the above embodiment, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0105] For example, in the above one embodiment, the first and second hinge sections were provided by mechanical processing such as pressing, laser milling, cutting, or the like, but they may be formed through a chemical processing such as etching.

[0106] Also, the hinge shaping method is not limited to processing, and for example, the hinges may be formed by preparing a PP sheet of generally the same size as the main body and of 0.2 mm thickness, and affixing rectangular PP sheets of 0.5 mm thickness to parts other than the hinge areas on an upper side or both sides of the first larger PP sheet. In this case, the panels constituting parts other than the hinges may be affixed to both sides of the hinge material.

[0107] Moreover, the above creasing tool was for the diagonal wrapping, but the present invention is not limited to the diagonal wrapping, and may be used for the caramel wrapping as well, in which case, the reference line may be provided at a different position.

[0108] Note that, in this embodiment, the object is assumed to be hexahedron-shaped and therefore, the hinges bend to 90 degrees, but when the object shape is other than hexahedron, hinge angles may be configured according to angles that the object sides create.

[0109] Also, the knot-tying tool is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0110] 1. Case [0111] 1a-1c. Recesses [0112] 2a. First panel [0113] 2b. Second panel [0114] 2c. Third panel [0115] 2d. Fourth panel [0116] 2e. Fifth panel [0117] 4. Cutting ruler [0118] 9. Thin plate main body [0119] 10. First hinge [0120] 11. Second hinge [0121] 12. Intersection [0122] 13. Third hinge [0123] 15. Reference line [0124] 17. Packaging paper [0125] 17a. Edge [0126] 17b. Edge [0127] 18. Object [0128] 19. Server [0129] 20. User interface [0130] 21. Packaging paper size calculation program [0131] 25. Main body [0132] 26. Intersection pressing section [0133] 27. First loop forming section [0134] 28. Second loop forming section [0135] 29. Slit [0136] 30. Space section [0137] 31. Slit [0138] 32. Ribbon [0139] 32a. Ribbon end [0140] 32b. Ribbon end [0141] 34. Intersecting part