Template, system, and method for forming a box from a card

Abstract

A template for forming a box from a card, including a sheet having a plurality of edges and an image of a polygon, the polygon encompassing a substantially transparent region on the sheet, wherein the area of the polygon is smaller than the area of the sheet and the sheet is sufficiently rigid to permit a user of the template to substantially trace along the edges thereof.

1 . A template for forming a box from a card, comprising: 
 a sheet comprising a plurality of edges and an image of a polygon, the polygon encompassing a substantially transparent region on the sheet;    wherein the area of the polygon is smaller than the area of the sheet and the sheet is sufficiently rigid to permit a user of the template to substantially trace along the edges thereof.    
     
     
         2 . A template for forming a box from a card according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is substantially square.  
     
     
         3 . A system for forming a box from a card, comprising: 
 a card comprising at least one image;    a template comprising a sheet comprising a plurality of edges and an image of a polygon, wherein the area of the polygon is smaller than the area of the sheet;    wherein the template may be placed on the card such that a preselected image on the card is encompassed by the polygon on the template.    
     
     
         4 . A system for forming a box from a card according to  claim 3 , wherein the sheet is substantially square.  
     
     
         5 . A system for forming a box from a card according to  claim 3 , wherein with regard to the sheet provided in said further providing step, at least the region thereof encompassed by the polygon is substantially transparent.  
     
     
         6 . A system for forming a box from a card according to  claim 3 , wherein the sheet is sufficiently rigid to permit a user of the template to substantially trace along the edges thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A method for forming a box from a card, comprising: 
 providing a card;    further providing a template comprising a sheet comprising a plurality of edges and an image of a polygon, wherein the area of the polygon is smaller than the area of the sheet;    cutting a hole through a substantially centrally disposed portion of the template;    placing the template on the card such that a preselected image on the card is at least partially encompassed by the polygon on the template;    tracing around the edge of the template onto the card to form trace lines;    cutting along the trace lines to remove whatever portion of the card is not under the template, thereby forming a substantially square cutout card with first and second pairs of substantially parallel opposing sides;    marking a dot on the cutout card through the hole in the template;    removing the template from the cutout card; and    manipulating the cutout card to form a box.    
     
     
         8 . A box formed by practicing a method for forming a box from a card according to  claim 7 .  
     
     
         9 . A method for forming a box from a card according to  claim 7 , wherein the sheet provided in said further providing step is substantially square.  
     
     
         10 . A method for forming a box from a card according to  claim 7 , wherein a substantially transparent region is encompassed by the polygon on the sheet provided in said further providing step.  
     
     
         11 . A method for forming a box from a card according to  claim 7 , wherein the sheet provided in said further providing step is sufficiently rigid to permit a user of the template to substantially trace along the edges thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A method for forming a box from a card according to  claim 7 , wherein said manipulating step comprises: 
 a first step of folding the corners of the cutout card to positions adjacent the dot marked on the card in said marking step;    a second step of folding the first pair of opposing sides of the cutout card to a position adjacent the dot marked on the cutout card in said marking step such that a first pair of substantially parallel creases are formed in the cutout card;    a third step of unfolding the first pair of opposing sides of the cutout card;    a fourth step of folding the second pair of opposing sides of the cutout card to a position adjacent the dot marked on the cutout card in said marking step such that a second pair of substantially parallel creases are formed in the cutout card, wherein each of the creases in the first and second pairs of creases comprises an inner crease portion and an outer crease portion, wherein the inner crease portions of the first pair of creases are within the second pair of creases and the outer crease portions of the first pair of creases are outside the second pair of creases;    a fifth step of unfolding the entire cutout card;    a sixth step of cutting the cutout card along the outer crease portions of the first pair of creases to form two cut corners and two uncut corners of the cutout card, each cut corner of the cutout card comprising a central portion and two opposing peripheral tabs;    a seventh step of folding the two uncut corners of the cutout card to positions adjacent the dot marked on the cutout card in said marking step;    an eighth step of folding the opposing peripheral tabs of the cut corners of the cutout card along fold lines formed when the cut corners were folded in said first step, said eighth step forming a strip with opposing wings, the strip comprising a central, substantially square portion and two opposing peripheral tabs, and each wing comprising a central portion and two opposing peripheral tabs;    a ninth step of folding the peripheral tabs of the wings along the outer crease portions of the second pair of creases;    a tenth step of folding the wings along the first pair of creases to a position substantially perpendicular to the strip;    an eleventh step of unfolding the peripheral tabs of the wings to positions substantially perpendicular to the central portions of the wings such that a partial enclosure is formed above the strip by the wings; and    a twelfth step of folding the peripheral tabs of the strip over and into the partial enclosure to form a box.    
     
     
         13 . A box formed by practicing a method for forming a box from a card according to  claim 12.