TEPZZ 46699B_T EP B1 (19) (11) EP B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

Transcription

1 (19) TEPZZ 46699B_T (11) EP B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION (4) Date of publication and mention of the grant of the patent: Bulletin 14/0 (21) Application number: (22) Date of filing: (1) Int Cl.: B44C 1/16 (06.01) B44C 1/22 (06.01) B44C /00 (06.01) B44F 1/06 (06.01) B43M 99/00 (.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US09/06933 (87) International publication number: WO / (2.03. Gazette /12) (4) METHOD OF PRODUCING SOLID DECORATED GRAPHIC ARTS OBJECTS VERFAHREN ZUR HERSTELLUNG VON MASSIVEN, VERZIERTEN GRAFIKOBJEKTEN PROCÉDÉ DE PRODUCTION D OBJETS D ARTS GRAPHIQUES SOLIDES DÉCORÉS (84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR () Priority: US (43) Date of publication of application: Bulletin 11/ (73) Proprietor: Barton Nelson, Inc. Kansas City, MI (US) (72) Inventor: NELSON, Gunnard Stilwell KS (US) (74) Representative: UEXKÜLL & STOLBERG Patentanwälte Beselerstrasse Hamburg (DE) (6) References cited: WO-A1-03/03196 WO-A1-07/ FR-A FR-A GB-A JP-A JP-A JP-A US-A US-A EP B1 Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). Printed by Jouve, 7001 PARIS (FR)

2 1 EP B1 2 Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention is broadly concerned with three-dimensional decorated articles which can be rapidly and economically produced as unique articles or in short-run situations. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such articles, as well as blanks used in the production thereof and methods of production, wherein an image-imprinted sheet of stock is applied to a light-transmitting substrate so that the image appears through the substrate, and bend areas are formed by laser ablation of the stock without disturbing the image appearing through the substrate. The substrate is then heated along the bend areas and formed into a threedimensional article. Description of the Prior Art [0002] Decorated three-dimensional articles such as holders for note cubes have been provided in the past. These are generally formed of synthetic resin material and include a base with upstanding attached sidewalls defining an enclosure for receiving the note cubes. It has also been known to provide advertising material or other images of the exterior faces of the sidewalls. Prior production methods used to fabricate these three-dimensional articles have dictated that only large runs are cost effective. That is, one-off unique or short-run products simply cannot be produced economically by these prior methods. [0003] US Patents Nos. 6,2,878 and 6,39,12 describe processes of creation of picture frames having photographs or other picture art surrounding a picturereceiving area. In the process, the border art and registration marks are printed on sheet material such as paper and a laser is used to cut around the artwork. The sheet material is then attached to a transparent polymer sheet and laser cut along a marked path. The transparent polymer sheet is then heated and shaped to form a backing for the picture frame. [0004] US Patent No ,04 describes a method for producing flat articles such as name badges or luggage tags. In this method, a laminated sheet is created by face-mounting of a color graphic print to an acrylic sheet using optically clear adhesive. The laminated sheet is then divided into discrete items. [000] Other representative graphic art processes are described in the following references: US Patents Nos. 4,371,7;,93,3; 6,0,738; 6,66,9; 6,780,273; 6,87,2; US Published Patent Applications Nos ; 07/ ; Foreign Patent Publications Nos. EP 28; JP ; WO ; WO ; WO and Web-Published Literature: Memo Block Holders from Silent Kite Limited, http: // subcat.asp?category=paper+pads,+blocks+and+holders&subcat=memo+block+holders; Promotional Memo Holders, Promotional Merchandising Sourcing, randr.sourcinguniverse.com/gb/ search.aspx? stype=ks& strsearch=memo%pad%paper; Promotional Printed Note Cubes in a Box, [0006] Further, FR A1 describes a method and product wherein a lenticular sheet is secured to a cardboard base. Lines of weakness are formed in the opposite faces of the lenticular sheet/cardboard base composite to provide bend areas. An image is imprinted on the surface adjacent the cardboard base. The image is white-painted on its backside serving as background for the image. The composite is bent around a mandrel or the like without heating to form a three-dimensional article. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides aesthetically pleasing, lowcost three-dimensio-nal articles. [0008] The present invention provides a method of producing a decorated article (64, 78, 82, 86) comprising the steps of providing a composite blank (60) including a substantially flat substrate (44) having a thickness and opposed surfaces and being formed of a material, with a sheet of stock (38) imprinted with an image (b), and thereupon affixed to one face of the substrate (44), forming a line of weakness (4) on the surface of said sheet of stock (38) remote from said image to form a bend area (6), and bending said composite blank (60) about said bend area (6) adjacent a forming mandrel (62), with the bend area (6) accommodating such bending to provide a three-dimensional article (64, 78, 82, 86), wherein said substrate (44) is formed of light-transmitting synthetic resin material, said line of weakness (4) being laserformed, said composite blank (60) is heated at least along said bend area (6) prior to said bending, said stock (38) and said image (b) being affixed to said one face of the substrate (44) so that the imprinted image (b) is visible through the substrate (44), and said stock (38) including opposed faces, said method including the step of imprinting said image onto both faces of said stock (38) as mirror images (a, b) of each other prior to affixing said stock (3) to the substrate, said line of weakness (4) extending through the image (a) remote from said substrate (44). [0009] The present invention also provides a composite blank (60) for producing a decorated three-dimensional article (64, 78, 82, 86), said composite blank comprising a substantially flat substrate (44) formed of a material having a thickness and presenting a pair of opposed faces, a sheet of stock (38) having a thickness and secured 2

3 3 EP B to one face of said substrate (44), said sheet of stock (38) having an image (b) imprinted thereon, and at least one line of weakness (4) on the surface of said stock (38) to define a bend area (6), said line of weakness (4) being located such that the image (b) lies on the substrate side remote from the line of weakness (4), wherein said substrate (44) is formed of light-transmitting synthetic resin material, said line of weakness (4) is laser-formed on the surface of said stock (38) remote from said image (b), said stock (38) and image (b) are secured to said substrates (44) so that the image (b) is visible through the thickness of said substrate (44), and said stock (38) including opposed faces, said image (b) being imprinted onto both faces of said stock (38) as mirror images (a, b) of each other, said line of weakness (4) extending through the imprinted mirror image (a) remote from said substrate (44). [00] The present invention provides also a three-dimensional decorated article (64, 78, 82, 86), comprising a substrate (44) formed of a material and having a thickness, an inner surface and an outer surface, a sheet of stock (38) bearing imprinted image (b) on at least one face thereof, said sheet of stock (38) having a thickness and secured to said inner surface of said substrate (44), said substrate (44) bent about a plurality of bend areas (6) with each of the bend areas defined by at least one line of weakness (4) formed along the face of the sheet of stock remote from the substrate by lines of weakness (4) in said substrate (44), said bend areas (6) located such that the image (b) lies on the substrate side remote from the lines of weakness (4), wherein said substrate (44) is formed of light-transmitting synthetic resin material, each of said bend areas (6) defined by at least one laser-cut line of weakness (4) formed along the face of said sheet of stock (38) remote from said substrate (44), and said image (b) is visible through said substrate (44), and said image (b) imprinted onto both faces of said stock (38) as mirror images (a, b) of each other, said lines of weakness (4) extending through the imprinted image (a) remote from said substrate (44). [0011] Broadly, the three-dimensional articles of the invention include wall structure formed of light-transmitting synthetic resin material and having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a sheet of stock bearing an imprinted image on at least one face thereof, the sheet of stock secured to the inner surface of the wall structure with the image adjacent the wall structure and appearing through the wall structure. The wall structure is bent about a plurality of bend areas, with each of the bend areas defined by at least one line of weakness formed along the face of the sheet of stock remote from the wall structure. [0012] The image is imprinted onto both faces of the stock as mirror images of each other, the line of weakness extends through the image remote from the wall structure, and preferably through the stock. However, the line of weakness does not extend through or disturb the image adjacent the wall structure. Moreover, each of the bend areas is preferably defined by a plurality of closely spaced lines of weakness. [0013] The preferred method of the invention comprises the steps of providing a composite blank including a substrate haying opposed surfaces and formed of a lighttransmitting synthetic resin material, with an image-imprinted sheet of stock affixed to one face of the substrate so that the image is visible through the substrate. Next, at least one line of weakness is formed on the surface of the stock remote from the image to define a bend area. The composite is then heated at least along the bend area and is folded about a forming mandrel, with the line of weakness adjacent the mandrel. This provides a decorated three-dimensional article, with the bend area accommodating the folding, and with the image appearing distortion-free through the substrate. The opposed faces of the sheet of stock are imprinted with registered mirror images, and the line of weakness extends through the image remote from the substrate and through the stock, but not through the image adjacent the substrate. In preferred features, a transparent film is applied over the imprinted image remote from the substrate, and a plurality of lines of weakness are formed by laser ablation of the blank. [0014] The methods of the invention can be used to provide note cube holders or other enclosures, or a variety of different decorative articles such as hat bands or novelty items. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [001] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the steps of the preferred method of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a digitally printed sheet having an image imprinted on one face of the sheet, with the opposed face having a mirror of the image; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred transparent acrylic substrate used in the preferred process; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating application of the sheet of Fig. 2 onto one face of the substrate of Fig. 3; Fig. is a perspective view similar to that of Fig. 4, but illustrating application of a transparent film over the imprinted sheet of Fig. 4 to provide a composite blank; Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the preferred process of raster scanning the blank of Fig. using a laser, to form ablated lines of weakness; Fig. 7 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary vertical section depicting the lasered raster lines of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view similar to that of Fig. 6, but illustrating use of a laser to cut the composite blank around the imprinted image; Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the laser-cut 3

4 EP B1 6 composite blank from the Fig. 8 step; Fig. is a perspective view illustrating placement of the laser-cut composite blank of Fig. 9 adjacent a forming mandrel; Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the forming of the laser-cut composite blank about the mandrel; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the formed article produced by the Fig. 11 step; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a completed note holder article using the formed article of Fig. 12 with an adhesively-secured base; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of round article which can be produced in accordance with invention; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of another type of note holder article which can be produced in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 16 is a perspective view of article which can be produced in accordance with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM- BODIMENT [0016] The present invention provides a method of producing three-dimensional graphic arts articles of varying styles and configurations. As used herein a "three-dimensional article" refers to an article of folded design and presenting wall sections of substantial width, usually many times the thickness of the walls, and preferably at least about four times the wall thickness. Such threedimensional articles are thus distinct from conventional flat articles which do not have a bent or folded configuration. The three-dimensional articles of the invention may be fabricated for a variety of end uses, for example as holders for cubes of note paper. [0017] The preferred steps in the method are schematically illustrated in Fig. 1 and comprise an initial step where a digital image is captured and printed onto both faces of a suitable stock using a digital printer, step 22, to yield the printed sheet, as at 24. The printed image is then applied to a substrate as in step 26. The resulting blank is then laser engraved and cut, step 28, to create a finished blank as at having a desired configuration and one or more lines of weakness which define fold areas in the blank. The blank is then shaped using a mandrel or the like to create a formed part as at 32. Final assembly may involve attachment of a base or cover as desired, step 34. The digital printing and laser engraving/ cutting steps are controlled by a computer 36 or other suitable digital processor. [0018] The presently preferred method steps are illustrated in Figs In the first step, a stock 38 having a printed image thereon is provided, as in steps 22 and 24. In preferred forms, the stock 38 is standard enamelcoated paper stock used in the graphic arts industry. The image is imprinted onto both faces of the stock 38 to provide fully registered, outer and inner mirror images a and b. The image may be of virtually any type, such as personal photographs or advertising. In practice, a customer may send a digital image over the internet or otherwise deliver it to a production facility. At this point, the facility s art department would upload the image, and make any correction or additions requested by the customer. Also, if the design dictates, the art department may incorporate a peripheral cut line or pattern about the image, and such information is stored in computer 36. [0019] In the next step (Figs. 3-4), the imprinted stock 38 is applied to a light-transmitting substrate 44. The substrate 44 is preferably substantially transparent, but may be translucent if desired. Also, the substrate could be formed of lenticular material. In any case, the image b adjacent the substrate 44 is visible through the substrate. As illustrated in Fig. 4, an optically clear adhesive 46 can be sprayed onto the surface of substrate 44 in order to affix the imprinted stock 38 to the substrate. [00] In the next preferred step, a film overlay 48 is applied over the stock 38 and the outer image a. Preferably, a polyester laminate film which is light-transmitting and preferably substantially transparent, is used for this purpose. The overlay 48 is adhered to the stock 38 by means of conventional adhesive 49. This provides a completed product blank 0 suitable for further processing as will be described. [0021] Specifically, the laminate-coated face of blank 0 is processed using a laser engraving and cutting system 2 controlled by computer 36. This involves forming a plurality of lines of weakness 4 by laser ablation of the blank 0, the lines 4 extending at least partially through the outer image a and stock 38. However, the lines of weakness 4 could also be formed by die cutting or other conventional techniques. As best seen in Fig. 7, the individual lines of weakness 4 preferably extend through the film 48, adhesive 49, outer image a, and stock 38. However, as shown, these lines of weakness do not extend through inner image b, adhesive 46, or substrate 44. The preferred laser ablation technique creates line of weakness 4 of truncated V-shape cross section, defined by opposed, converging walls 4a, 4b. [0022] It will also be observed that a plurality of closely spaced lines of weakness 4 constitute a bend area 6, and that the bend areas 6 are laterally a substantial distance. Preferably, each line of weakness 4 has a maximum width of from about cm ( inches), and more preferably cm (0.01 inches). The closely-spaced lines of weakness 4 making up each bend area 6 are spaced apart a distance of from about cm ( inches), more preferable from about cm (0.01 inches). In some instances the number of lines of weaknesses for given bend areas may change, as well as the close spacing between the lines of weakness. In the depicted embodiment for example, the endmost bend areas are defined by lines of weakness spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than the lines of weakness defining the inner bend areas. [0023] As a part of the laser processing of blank 0, the blank 0 maybe cut along the previously described 4

5 7 EP B1 8 peripheral cut line as illustrated in Fig. 8, at 1. Additionally, if the design dictates, cut out areas 8 may be formed in the blank. This results in a final part 60 (Fig. 9) ready for further processing. [0024] In the next steep, the part 60 is heated to facilitate bending and forming thereof. Again, the type and extent of heating is largely dictated by design considerations. In the example illustrated, the part 60 may be heated using elongated resistance heating elements (not shown) positioned adjacent the substrate 44 at zones corresponding to the bend areas 6. Alternately, the entire part 60 may be heated. In typical situations, heating to a temperature of from about C (-00 F) for a period of about -60 seconds, more preferably about seconds, is adequate. [002] The heated part 60 is next formed using an appropriate mandrel 62. In this case a square mandrel 62 is employed and is placed between a pair of adjacent bend areas 6, with the side margins of the mandrel 62 closely adjacent such bend areas. The part 60 is then folded about the fold areas 6 into conforming relationship with mandrel 62 (Fig. 11) and allowed to cool. This yields a formed part 64 (Fig. 12) which in this embodiment is in the form of an enclosure of quadrate (square) plan configuration, including back wall 66, opposed sidewalls 68 and 70, and front walls 72. It will be seen that the inner surfaces of the walls are decorated with image a, whereas the outer surfaces are decorated with mirror image b, visible through the light-transmitting substrate 44. A base 74 (Fig. 13) may then be adhesively secured to the bottom edges of the walls to complete the three-dimensional object 76. [0026] The object 76 is specifically designed as a holder for a cube of note sheets (not shown), such as Post- It adhesive sheets. However, the invention is broadly applicable to a virtually limitless number of three-dimensional objects. Fig illustrate other examples, such as a round circular article 78 with an attached lower base 80 (Fig. 14); a square sheet holder article 82 similar to article 76 but having a pivotal cover 84 (Fig. 1); and a surface mount article 86 having a back wall 88 and pocket-defining wall structure 90 extending forwardly from back wall 88. The invention is also not limited to various types of holders. Thus, decorated hat bands or children s crowns and tiaras can also be produced. [0027] A significant feature of the invention is the ability to economically produce one-off unique or short-run articles. Thus, a customer may send a group photograph to the production facility, and the method described above may be employed to create a unique note holder or other article using the uploaded photograph. This could be done at a very low cost and profitably sold at a commercially viable price. In a fully automated system of the type described herein, as many as 00 one-off individually unique articles may be produced per hour with a minium of labor. [0028] In addition, provision of the stock 38 printed on both faces, with the lines of weakness extending through the stock but not through the image b adjacent the substrate, permits complex three-dimensional articles to be produced without distortion of the image b. The mirror image a, visible along the inner surfaces of the wall structure of the finished article is also substantially distortion-free. Thus, an aesthetically pleasing three-dimensional article can be produced. Claims 1. A method of producing a decorated article (64, 78, 82, 86) comprising the steps of providing a composite blank (60) including a substantially flat substrate (44) having a thickness and opposed surfaces and being formed of a material, with a sheet of stock (38) imprinted with an image (b), and thereupon affixed to one face of the substrate (44), forming a line of weakness (4) on the surface of said sheet of stock (38) remote from said image to form a bend area (6), and bending said composite blank (60) about said bend area (6) adjacent a forming mandrel (62), with the bend area (6) accommodating such bending to provide a three-dimensional article (64, 78, 82, 86), wherein said substrate (44) is formed of light-transmitting synthetic resin material, said line of weakness (4) being laser-formed, said composite blank (60) is heated at least along said bend area (6) prior to said bending, said stock (38) and said image (b) being affixed to said one face of the substrate (44) so that the imprinted image (b) is visible through the substrate (44), and said stock (38) including opposed faces, said method including the step of imprinting said image onto both faces of said stock (38) as mirror images (a, b) of each other prior to affixing said stock (3) to the substrate, said line of weakness (4) extending through the image (a) remote from said substrate (44). 2. The method of claim 1, said image (a) remote from said substrate (44) having a thickness, said line of weakness (4) extending through the thickness of said image (a) remote from said substrate (44) and sheet of stock (38), but not into the image (b) adjacent said substrate (44). 3. The method of claim 1, including the step of providing a plurality of said lines of weakness (4). 4. The method of claim 3, said lines of weakness (4) being laterally spaced apart to define a plurality of

6 9 EP B1 discrete bend areas (6).. The method of claim 1, said bend area (6) having a plurality of closely spaced apart lines of weakness (4) which are spaced a distance of from about cm ( inches), said lines of weakness (4) having a width of from about cm ( inches). 6. The method of claim 1, said stock (38) being formed of paper. 7. A composite blank (60) for producing a decorated three-dimensional article (64, 78, 82, 86), said composite blank comprising a substantially flat substrate (44) formed of a material having a thickness and presenting a pair of opposed faces, a sheet of stock (38) having a thickness and secured to one face of said substrate (44), said sheet of stock (38) having an image (b) imprinted thereon, and at least one line of weakness (4) on the surface of said stock (38) to define a bend area (6), said line of weakness (4) being located such that the image (b) lies on the substrate side remote from the line of weakness (4), wherein said substrate (44) is formed of light-transmitting synthetic resin material, said line of weakness (4) is laser-formed on the surface of said stock (38) remote from said image (b), said stock (38) and image (b) are secured to said substrates (44) so that the image (b) is visible through the thickness of said substrate (44), and said stock (38) including opposed faces, said image (b) being imprinted onto both faces of said stock (38) as mirror images (a, b) of each other, said line of weakness (4) extending through the imprinted mirror image (a) remote from said substrate (44). 8. The composite blank (60) of claim 7, said stock (38) being formed of paper. 9. The composite blank (60) of claim 7, each of said mirror images (a, b) having a thickness, said line of weakness (4) extending through the thickness of said mirror image (a) remote from said substrate (44) and at least a portion of said stock (38), but not into the image (b) adjacent said substrate (44).. The composite blank (60) of claim 7, there being a plurality of said lines of weakness (4) The composite blank (60) of claim, said lines of weakness (4) being laterally spaced apart to define a plurality of discrete bend areas (6). 12. The composite blank (60) of claim 11, said bend area (6) having a plurality of closely spaced apart lines of weakness (4) which are spaced a distance of from about cm ( inches), said lines of weakness (4) having a width of from about cm ( inches). 13. A three-dimensional decorated article (64, 78, 82, 86), comprising a substrate (44) formed of a material and having a thickness, an inner surface and an outer surface, a sheet of stock (38) bearing imprinted image (b) on at least one face thereof, said sheet of stock (38) having a thickness and secured to said inner surface of said substrate (44), said substrate (44) bent about a plurality of bend areas (6) with each of the bend areas defined by at least one line of weakness (4) formed along the face of the sheet of stock remote from the substrate (44), said bend areas (6) located such that the image (b) lies on the substrate side remote from the lines of weakness (4), wherein said substrate (44) is formed of light-transmitting synthetic resin material, each of said bend areas (6) defined by at least one laser-cut line of weakness (4) formed along the face of said sheet of stock (38) remote from said substrate (44), and said image (b) is visible through said substrate (44), and said image (b) imprinted onto both faces of said stock (38) as mirror images (a, b) of each other, said lines of weakness (4) extending through the imprinted image (a) remote from said substrate (44). 14. The article (64, 78, 82, 86) of claim 13, each of said images (a, b) having a thickness, said lines of weakness (4) extending through the thickness of said image (a) remote from said substrate (44) and at least a portion of said stock (38), but not into the image (b) adjacent said substrate (44). 1. The article (64, 78, 82, 86) of claim 13, said stock (38) being formed of paper. Patentansprüche 1. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines dekorierten Gegen- 6

7 11 EP B1 12 standes (64, 78, 82, 86), das die Schritte der Bereitstellung eines Verbundformlings (60), der ein im Wesentlichen flaches Substrat (44) mit einer Dicke und entgegen gesetzten Oberflächen umfasst und aus einem Material gebildet ist, mit einem Stapelblatt (38), das mit einem Bild (b) bedruckt worden ist und dann an einer Oberfläche an dem Substrat (44) befestigt worden ist, Bildung einer Schwächelinie (4) an der Oberfläche des Stapelblattes (38), die von dem Bild entfernt ist, um einen Biegebereich (6) zu bilden, und Biegung des Verbundformlings (60) an dem Biegebereich (6) anliegend an einen Formungsdorn (62) umfasst, wobei der Biegebereich (6) ein solches Biegen annimmt, um einen dreidimensionalen Gegenstand (64, 78, 82, 86) zu bilden, wobei das Substrat (44) aus Licht übertragendem, synthetischem Harzmaterial gebildet ist, die Schwächelinie (4) mittels Laser gebildet wird, der Verbundformling (60) mindestens entlang des Biegebereichs(6) vor der Biegung erwärmt wird, das Stapelblatt (38) und das Bild (b) so an der einen Fläche des Substrats (44) befestigt sind, dass das aufgedruckte Bild (b) durch das Substrat (44) sichtbar ist, und das Stapelblatt (38) entgegen gesetzte Oberflächen umfasst, wobei das Verfahren den Schritt des Drukkens des Bildes auf beide Oberflächen des Stapelblatts (38) als Spiegelbilder (a, b) voneinander vor dem Befestigen des Stapelblatts (38) an dem Substrat umfasst, wobei die Schwächelinie (4) sich durch das Bild (a) erstreckt, das von dem Substrat (44) entfernt vorliegt. 2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem das Bild (a), das von dem Substrat (44) entfernt vorliegt, eine Dikke aufweist, wobei die Schwächelinie (4) sich durch die Dicke des Bildes (a), das von dem Substrat (44) und dem Stapelblatt (38) entfernt vorliegt, erstreckt, aber nicht in das Bild (b) das an das Substrat (44) angrenzt. 3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, das den Schritt der Bereitstellung einer Vielzahl der Schwächelinien (4) umfasst. 4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, bei dem die Schwächelinien (4) nebeneinander mit Abstand angeordnet sind, um eine Vielzahl von diskreten Biegebereichen (6) zu definieren Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der Biegebereich (6) eine Vielzahl von dicht, mit Abstand angeordneten Schwächelinien (4) aufweist, die mit einem Abstand von etwa 0,0127 bis 0,24 cm (0,00 bis 0, Zoll) angeordnet sind, wobei die Schwächelinien (4) eine Breite von etwa 0,0127 bis 0,127 cm (0,00 bis 0,00 Zoll) aufweisen. 6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem das Stapelblatt (38) aus Papier gebildet ist. 7. Verbundformling (60) zur Herstellung eines dekorierten, dreidimensionalen Gegenstandes (64, 78, 82, 86), wobei der Verbundformling ein im Wesentlichen flaches Substrat (44), das aus einem Material mit einer Dicke gebildet ist und ein Paar entgegen gesetzter Flächen darbietet, ein Stapelblatt (38), das eine Dicke aufweist und an eine Seite des Substrats (44) gesichert ist, wobei das Stapelblatt (38) ein darauf aufgedrucktes Bild (b) aufweist, und mindestens eine Schwächelinie (4) an der Oberfläche des Stapelblatts (38) aufweist, um einen Biegebereich (6) zu definieren, wobei die Schwächelinie (4) so angeordnet ist, dass das Bild (b) auf der Substratseite liegt, die von der Schwächelinie (4) entfernt vorliegt, wobei das Substrat (44) aus Licht übertragenem, synthetischem Material gebildet ist, die Schwächelinie (4) mittels Laser auf der Oberfläche des Stapelblatts (38) gebildet worden ist, die entfernt von dem Bild (b) vorliegt, das Stapelblatt (38) und das Bild (b) an dem Substrat (44) so gesichert sind, dass das Bild (b) durch die Dicke des Substrat (44) sichtbar ist, und der Stapel (38) entgegen gesetzte Flächen aufweist, wobei das Bild (b) auf beide Flächen des Stapelblatts (38) als Spiegelbilder (a, b) voneinander aufgedruckt worden sind, wobei die Schwächelinie (4) sich durch das aufgedruckte Spiegelbild (a) erstreckt, das entfernt von dem Substrat (44) vorliegt. 8. Verbundformling (60) nach Anspruch 7, bei dem das Stapelblatt (38) aus Papier gebildet ist. 9. Verbundformling (60) nach Anspruch 7, bei dem jedes der Spiegelbilder (a), (b) eine Dicke aufweist, wobei die Schwächelinie (4) sich durch die Dicke des Spiegelbildes (a), das entfernt von dem Substrat (4) vorliegt, und mindestens einen Teil des Stapelblatts (38) erstreckt, aber nicht in das Bild (b), das angrenzend an das Substrat (44) vorliegt. 7

8 13 EP B1 14. Verbundformling (60) nach Anspruch 7, bei dem eine Vielzahl von Schwächelinien (4) vorliegt. 11. Verbundformling (60) nach Anspruch, bei dem die Schwächelinien (4) nebeneinander mit Abstand angeordnet sind, um eine Vielzahl von diskreten Biegebereichen (6) zu bilden. 12. Verbundformling (60) nach Anspruch 11, bei dem der Biegebereich (6) eine Vielzahl von dicht, mit Abstand angeordneten Schwächelinien (4) aufweist, die mit einem Abstand von etwa 0,0127 bis 0,24 cm (0,00 bis 0, Zoll) angeordnet sind, wobei die Schwächelinien (4) eine Breite von etwa 0,0127 bis 0,127 cm (0,00 bis 0,00 Zoll) aufweisen. 13. Dreidimensionaler, dekorierter Gegenstand (64, 78, 82, 86), der ein Substrat (44), das aus einem Material gebildet worden ist und eine Dicke, eine innere Oberfläche und eine äußere Oberfläche aufweist, ein Stapelblatt (38), das ein aufgedrucktes Bild (b) auf mindestens einer Fläche davon aufweist, wobei das Stapelblatt (38) eine Dicke aufweist und an die innere Oberfläche des Substrats (44) gesichert ist, wobei das Substrat (44) über eine Vielzahl von Biegebereichen (6) gebogen worden ist, wobei jeder der Biegebereiche durch mindestens eine Schwächelinie (4) definiert ist, die entlang der Fläche des Stapelblattes gebildet worden ist, die von dem Substrat (44) entfernt vorliegt, wobei die Biegebereiche (6) so angeordnet sind, dass das Bild (b) and der Substratseite liegt, die von den Schwächelinien (4) entfernt vorliegt, wobei das Substrat (44) aus Licht übertragendem, synthetischem Harzmaterial gebildet ist, jeder der Biegebereiche (6) durch mindestens eine mittels Laser geschnittene Schwächelinie (4) definiert ist, die entlang der Fläche des Stapelblatts (38) gebildet ist, die von dem Substrat (44) entfernt vorliegt, und das Bild (b) durch das Substrat (44) sichtbar ist, und das Bild (b) auf beide Seiten des Stapelblatts (38) als Spiegelbilder (a, b) voneinander aufgedruckt ist, wobei die Schwächelinien (4) sich durch das aufgedruckte Bild (a) erstrekken, das von dem Substrat (44) entfernt vorliegt. 14. Gegenstand (64, 78, 82, 86) nach Anspruch 13, bei dem jedes der Bilder (a, b) eine Dicke aufweist, die Schwächelinien (4) sich durch die Dicke des Bildes (a), das von den Substraten (44) entfernt vorliegt, und mindestens einen Teil des Stapelblatts (38) erstrecken, aber nicht in das Bild (b), das an das Substrat (44) angrenzt. 1. Gegenstand (64, 78, 82, 86) nach Anspruch 13, bei dem das Stapelblatt (38) aus Papier gebildet worden ist. Revendications 1. Procédé destiné à produire un article décoré (64, 78, 82, 86) comprenant les étapes consistant à : fournir une découpe composite (60) incluant un substrat sensiblement plat (44) qui présente une épaisseur et des surfaces opposées et formé à partir d un matériau, une feuille de pâte (38) sur laquelle étant imprimée une image (b), et fixée sur une face du substrat (44) ; former une ligne de moindre résistance (4) sur la surface de ladite feuille de pâte (38) distante de ladite image pour former une zone de cintrage (6) ; et cintrer ladite découpe composite (60) autour de ladite zone de cintrage (6) adjacente à un mandrin de formage (62), la zone de cintrage (6) recevant un tel cintrage pour fournir un article tridimensionnel (64, 78, 82, 86) ; dans lequel : ledit substrat (44) est formé à partir d un matériau de résine synthétique transmettant la lumière ; ladite ligne de moindre résistance (4) étant formée par laser ; ladite découpe composite (60) est chauffée au moins le long de ladite zone de cintrage (6) avant ledit cintrage ; ladite pâte (38) et ladite image (b) étant fixées sur une dite face du substrat (44) de sorte que l image imprimée (b) est visible à travers le substrat (44) ; et ladite pâte (38) incluant des faces opposées, ledit procédé incluant une étape consistant à imprimer ladite image sur les deux faces de ladite pâte (38) en tant qu images inversées (a, b) l une par rapport à l autre avant de fixer ladite pâte (3) sur le substrat, ladite ligne de moindre résistance (4) s étendant à travers l image (a) distante dudit substrat (44). 2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite image (a) distante dudit substrat (44) présentant une épaisseur, ladite ligne de moindre résistance (4) s étendant à travers l épaisseur de ladite image 8

9 1 EP B1 16 (a) distante dudit substrat (44) et de la feuille de pâte (38), mais pas dans l image (b) adjacente audit substrat (44). 3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, incluant une étape consistant à fournir une pluralité desdites lignes de moindre résistance (4). 4. Procédé selon la revendication 3, dans lequel lesdites lignes de moindre résistance (4) étant espacées latéralement afin de définir une pluralité de zones de cintrage discrètes (6).. Procédé selon la revendication 1, ladite zone de cintrage (6) présentant une pluralité de lignes de moindre résistance étroitement espacées (4) qui sont espacées d une distance allant d environ 0,0127 cm à 0,24 cm (de 0,00 pouce à 0, pouce), lesdites lignes de moindre résistance (4) présentant une largeur allant d environ 0,0127 cm à 0,127 cm (de 0,00 pouce à 0,00 pouce). 6. Procédé selon la revendication 1, ladite pâte (38) étant formée de papier. 7. Découpe composite (60) destinée à produire un article tridimensionnel décoré (64, 78, 82, 86), ladite découpe composite comprenant : un substrat sensiblement plat (44) formé à partir d un matériau présentant une épaisseur et présentant une paire de faces opposées ; une feuille de pâte (38) présentant une épaisseur et qui est fixée sur une face dudit substrat (44), une image (b) étant imprimée sur ladite feuille de pâte (38) ; et au moins une ligne de moindre résistance (4) située sur la surface de ladite pâte (38) pour définir une zone de cintrage (6), ladite ligne de moindre résistance (4) étant située de sorte que l image (b) se trouve sur le côté de substrat distant de la ligne de moindre résistance (4) ; dans lequel : ledit substrat (44) est formé à partir d un matériau de résine synthétique transmettant la lumière ; ladite ligne de moindre résistance (4) est formée par laser sur la surface de ladite pâte (38) distante de ladite image (b) ; ladite pâte (38) et ladite image (b) sont fixées sur ledit substrat (44) de sorte que l image (b) est visible à travers l épaisseur dudit substrat (44) ; et ladite pâte (38) incluant des faces opposées, ladite image (b) étant imprimée sur les deux faces de ladite pâte (38) en tant qu images inversées (a, b) l une par rapport à l autre, ladite ligne de moindre résistance (4) s étendant à travers l image inversée imprimée (a) distante dudit substrat (44). 8. Découpe composite (60) selon la revendication 7, ladite pâte (38) étant formée de papier. 9. Découpe composite (60) selon la revendication 7, chacune desdites images inversées (a, b) présentant une épaisseur, ladite ligne de moindre résistance (4) s étendant à travers l épaisseur de ladite image inversée (a) distante dudit substrat (44) et d au moins une partie de ladite pâte (38), mais pas dans l image (b) adjacente audit substrat (44).. Découpe composite (60) selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle se trouve une pluralité desdites lignes de moindre résistance (4). 11. Découpe composite (60) selon la revendication, lesdites lignes de moindre résistance (4) étant espacées latéralement pour définir une pluralité de zones de cintrage discrètes (6). 12. Découpe composite (60) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel ladite zone de cintrage (6) présente une pluralité de lignes de moindre résistance étroitement espacée (4) qui sont espacées d une distance allant d environ 0,0127 cm à 0,24 cm (de 0,00 pouce à 0, pouce), lesdites lignes de moindre résistance (4) présentant une largeur allant d environ 0,0127 cm à 0,127 cm (de 0,00 pouce à 0,00 pouce). 13. Article décoré tridimensionnel (64, 78, 82, 86), comprenant : un substrat (44) formé à partir d un matériau et présentant une épaisseur, une surface intérieure et une surface extérieure, une feuille de pâte (38) portant une image imprimée (b) sur au moins une face de celle-ci ; ladite feuille de pâte (38) présentant une épaisseur et étant fixée sur ladite surface intérieure dudit substrat (44) ; ledit substrat (44) étant cintré autour d une pluralité de zones de cintrage (6), chacune des zones de cintrage étant définie par au moins une ligne de moindre résistance (4) formée le long de la face de la feuille de pâte distante du substrat (44) ; lesdites zones de cintrage (6) étant situées de sorte que l image (b) se trouve sur le côté du substrat distant des lignes de moindre résistance (4) ; dans lequel : 9

10 17 EP B1 18 ledit substrat (44) est formé à partir d un matériau de résine synthétique transmettant la lumière ; chacune des zones de cintrage (6) est définie par au moins une ligne de moindre résistance découpée au laser (4) formée le long de la face de ladite feuille de pâte (38) distante dudit substrat (44) ; et ladite image (b) est visible à travers ledit substrat (44) ; et ladite image (b) est imprimée sur les deux faces de ladite pâte (38) en tant qu images inversées (a, b) l une par rapport à l autre, lesdites lignes de moindre résistance (4) s étendant à travers l image imprimée (a) distante dudit substrat (44) Article (64, 78, 82, 86) selon la revendication 13, chacune desdites images (a, b) présentant une épaisseur, lesdites lignes de moindre résistance (4) s étendant à travers l épaisseur de ladite image (a) distante dudit substrat (44) et au moins une partie de ladite pâte (38), mais pas dans l image (b) adjacente audit substrat (44). 1. Article (64, 78, 82, 86) selon la revendication 13, ladite pâte (38) étant formée de papier

11 EP B1 11

12 EP B1 12

13 EP B1 13

14 EP B1 14

15 EP B1 REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard. Patent documents cited in the description US B [0003] US B [0003] US B [0004] US A [000] US 933 A [000] US A [000] US 6669 A [000] US A [000] US 6872 A [000] US A [000] US A [000] EP 28 A [000] JP B [000] WO A [000] WO A [000] WO A [000] FR A1 [0006] 1