No-flip jigsaw puzzle and methods of making the same

Abstract

A jigsaw-type puzzle has pieces that do not need to be flipped or turned prior to, or during assembly of the puzzle. The pieces have peripheral shapes or outlines that are symmetrical along at least one axis, with mirror images being printed on both sides of each piece so that either side of each piece can be used during assembly. Each piece shows a portion of a two-dimensional image, such that when the pieces are assembled, the two-dimensional image is completed. Each piece has first and second sides, with each piece portraying the same portion of the two-dimensional design, such that either side of any piece can be used to complete the puzzle. The invention is applicable to edge pieces, corner pieces and inner pieces, including square pieces with rounded tabs and voids that “interlock,” as well as non-traditional shapes, with or without interlocking joints, and tabs and voids with other shapes.

1 . A method of making an interlocking jigsaw-type puzzle with pieces that do not need to be turned over to complete the puzzle, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a substrate having first and second parallel surfaces;   printing a two-dimensional image on one surface of the substrate;   printing a transformed version of the two-dimensional image on the second surface of the substrate;   cutting the substrate into a plurality of puzzle pieces, each piece having one or more protruding tabs and one or more tab-receiving voids; and   wherein the same portion of the two-dimensional image is printed on both surfaces of each piece, but wherein the portions of the image represented by the pieces on the second surface are flipped, rotated, or both, enabling either surface of any piece to be used to complete the puzzle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of cutting the substrate includes die cutting. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein portions of the image represented by the pieces on the second surface have peripheral outlines with tabs and voids that align with the tabs and voids of the image represented by the pieces on the first surface when the substrate is cut. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the two-dimensional image on the one surface of the substrate is unscrambled; and   the transformed version of the two-dimensional image on the second surface of the substrate is scrambled due to the portions of the image represented by the pieces on the second surface being flipped, rotated, or both.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 5 , including the steps of:
 providing a container for the pieces; and   printing at least a portion of the unscrambled the two-dimensional image on the container.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the portions of the image represented by the pieces on the second surface are flipped with respect to an axis of symmetry resulting in a mirror image of the portion of the image represented by the piece on the first surface. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , including:
 corner pieces with two flat edges devoid of tabs or voids;   side pieces with one flat edges devoid of tabs or voids; and   inner pieces with no flat edges devoid of tabs or voids.   
     
     
         8 . An interlocking, jigsaw-type puzzle with pieces that do not need to be turned over to complete the puzzle, comprising:
 a plurality of puzzle pieces, each piece having a peripheral outline with one or more protruding tabs and one or more tab-receiving voids;   wherein a tab or void of each piece interlocks with a tab or void of an adjacent piece to complete a two-dimensional image;   wherein the pieces are cut from a substrate having first and second parallel surfaces such that each piece has first and second sides;   wherein first and second sides of each piece display the same portion of the two-dimensional image, but wherein the portion on one side is transformed through flipping, rotation, or both, such that either side of any piece can be used to complete the puzzle.   
     
     
         9 . The puzzle of  claim 8 , including:
 corner pieces with two flat edges devoid of tabs or voids;   edge pieces with one flat edges devoid of tabs or voids; and   inner pieces with no flat edges devoid of tabs or voids.   
     
     
         10 . The puzzle of  claim 8 , including pieces wherein the portion of the image displayed on one side is flipped about an axis of symmetry to create a mirror image of the portion of the image displayed on other side of that piece. 
     
     
         11 . The puzzle of  claim 10 , wherein the axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the one flat edge on edge pieces. 
     
     
         12 . The puzzle of  claim 10 , wherein the axis of symmetry intersects a tab on one edge and a void on an opposing edge. 
     
     
         13 . The puzzle of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the pieces have edges defining a square with two diagonals; and   the axis of symmetry coincides with at least one of the diagonals.