Method for producing a puzzle and separating device therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing a puzzle (1) which has a multiplicity of puzzle pieces (3) which, when put together, form the puzzle (1), wherein the method involves an image (2) being laminated or printed on a carrier panel, so that the image (2) defines an image plane on the carrier panel, and the puzzle pieces (3) are punched out of the printed or laminated carrier panel, or wherein the carrier panel is punched and an image (2) is printed onto the punched carrier panel, so that the image defines an image plane on the carrier panel, wherein the puzzle pieces are detached from the punched carrier panel, and separated, in a predefined manner by way of a controlled movement of at least one puzzle piece in a direction transverse to the image plane. The present invention also relates to a corresponding device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a puzzle comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces which, when put together, form a picture, as well as a separating device for separating the puzzle pieces during the production process. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Puzzles are well-known products in which a motif, such as a photo, a drawing, or a designed graphic, is processed into a puzzle. The motif is often chosen by the puzzle manufacturer and then produced in multiple sets with identical motifs. It is now also possible for the customer to use a personal motif and upload it as part of their order, for example, via a website or an app.

[0003] Such a puzzle is typically manufactured by printing or laminating an image onto a substrate or base material such as cardboard, wood, plastic, foam, and the like. The base material is then punched to create the individual puzzle pieces. After punching, the puzzle pieces must be separated because they are held together by the positive connections, which the user then uses to reassemble them. Furthermore, during punching, it may happen that the puzzle pieces are not completely separated from one another, leaving thin sections of the material firmly bonded to one another.

[0004] According to the state of the art, the puzzle pieces are separated either by hand or by machine. The puzzle to be separated is placed, for example, on a conveyor belt and at the end of the conveyor belt the individual puzzle pieces break off or are smashed by rotating rods. US 1,957,078 describes a corresponding device in which rotating leather strips are used to randomly smash the punched puzzle. This creates a chaotic, loose pile of puzzle pieces, and it is no longer possible to determine whether all of the puzzle pieces have actually found their way from the separation point into a storage container in which the puzzle is sold to the user. Accordingly, the problem often arises that individual puzzle pieces are missing and the puzzle can therefore no longer be fully put together.

[0005] In addition, the known methods and devices for separating puzzle pieces have the problem that a lot of dust is generated which is difficult to vacuum up and that there is a risk that puzzle pieces which are not completely separated will be damaged when smashed indiscriminately, damaging the image on the puzzle and rendering the puzzle pieces unusable. In addition, various methods and devices are known in the prior art for removing punched or cut products from paper, cardboard, plastics or electronic components, in which the punched product is pressed out via a stamp, as described in detail in the documents EP 0 697 940 B1, DD 132 107 A1, US 2004 / 0 050 225 A1, DE 690 380 A, DE 10 44 579 A, US 2008 / 0 044 511 A1 and JP H 07 241 888 A.

[0006] Document WO98 / 42420 discloses a method for producing a puzzle according to the preamble of claim 1 and an apparatus for separating puzzle pieces of a puzzle according to the preamble of claim 11. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device with which a better separation of puzzles is possible in order to solve the problems of the prior art mentioned and in particular to enable a targeted and defined separation of the puzzle pieces in order to be able to control the puzzle pieces and to process them further in a targeted manner. TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0008] This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] To achieve this object, the invention proposes a method for producing a puzzle comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces which, when put together, form the puzzle. In the method, an image is laminated or printed onto a carrier plate such that the image defines an image plane on the carrier plate, and the puzzle pieces are punched out of the printed or laminated carrier plate. Alternatively, the sequence can also be reversed, so that first a laminated or otherwise suitable for printing carrier plate is punched and then the punched carrier plate is printed with the image. An image here is understood to be any representation suitable for a puzzle, and a wide variety of materials such as cardboard, plastic, wood and the like can be used as the carrier material for the carrier plate. The same applies to printing or laminating.Furthermore, punching refers to any type of separation of the puzzle pieces, not just the actual punching process. In particular, separation can also be achieved by sawing, cutting, laser cutting, or the like. According to the invention, the puzzle pieces are removed from the punched carrier plate in a predetermined manner by a controlled movement of at least one puzzle piece transversely to the image plane and separated, so that the puzzle pieces are present in a defined manner after separation.

[0010] In particular, the controlled movement can occur perpendicular to the puzzle plane, which is defined by a main surface with the largest dimensions of the puzzle or the support plate, or perpendicular to the image plane.

[0011] One or more puzzle pieces can be removed from the punched carrier plate simultaneously and / or sequentially, ensuring efficient separation in the shortest possible time while simultaneously ensuring a defined separation. In particular, up to half of the puzzle pieces can be removed from the punched carrier plate at the same time, or all puzzle pieces can be separated simultaneously.

[0012] For the puzzle to be separated, several sub-segments can be defined, with each sub-segment comprising specific puzzle pieces, and at least one puzzle piece for each sub-segment being able to be removed from the punched carrier plate simultaneously. Alternatively, all puzzle pieces of one or more sub-segments can be removed from the punched carrier plate simultaneously. In particular, if a sub-segment has been removed, further separation of the puzzle pieces of the sub-segment can be carried out using the present method or another method.

[0013] The puzzle pieces of a subsegment can be defined by at least one property of the puzzle pieces selected from a number of properties including membership in one or more rows of the puzzle, membership in a part of one or more rows of the puzzle, membership in one or more columns of the puzzle, membership in a part of one or more columns of the puzzle, membership in any local area of the puzzle, one or more primary colors or color components of the puzzle pieces, edge parts of the puzzle, number of indentations or projections of the puzzle pieces, and combinations thereof.

[0014] In order to prevent one or more adjacent puzzle pieces from being displaced or tilted during the removal of one or more puzzle pieces, one or more adjacent puzzle pieces or all puzzle pieces adjacent to the puzzle piece to be removed or all puzzle pieces adjacent to the puzzle piece to be removed that have a common cutting line can be fixed during the movement of the puzzle piece to be removed.

[0015] The controlled movement for removing the at least one puzzle piece can be a linear translational movement, in particular a pushing or pulling movement.

[0016] The puzzle pieces can be removed in such a way that, after being removed from the punched carrier plate, the removed puzzle pieces are arranged in a common plane, which is offset parallel to the image plane of the stationary puzzle pieces. This allows for easy and defined access to the separated puzzle pieces after separation for simple further processing.

[0017] Following the controlled movement to remove the at least one puzzle piece, the at least one puzzle piece can be placed or stacked in a storage container. In particular, if the puzzle pieces are separated segment by segment, the puzzle pieces of a sub-segment can be placed in a common storage container.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the invention, for which protection is sought independently and in combination with the method, a device is proposed for separating puzzle pieces of a puzzle having a plurality of puzzle pieces. The device comprises a receiving element for the puzzle made up of interconnected puzzle pieces and at least one movement element, wherein the at least one movement element is movable relative to the receiving element such that at least one contact element comes into contact with at least one puzzle piece and the puzzle piece is moved with the contact element transversely to the receiving element such that the at least one puzzle piece is removed from the puzzle. The receiving element defines a support surface which is parallel to the image plane of the puzzle or to the puzzle plane such that the movement for removing the puzzle element is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the image plane of the puzzle.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the movement element can be a plate that has a plurality of projections and recesses on one side or a main surface of the plate with the largest dimensions. In particular, the number of projections and recesses can each be up to half the number of puzzle pieces to be separated. In this embodiment, the projections represent the contact elements. The receiving element is also designed as a plate with projections and recesses complementary to the movement element, wherein the projections represent a support for the puzzle to be separated, so that when the puzzle to be separated is arranged on the receiving element and the movement element is moved towards the receiving element, one or more puzzle pieces are pressed by each projection of the movement element into the complementary recess of the receiving element.This allows all the puzzle pieces of a puzzle to be separated from each other with a single movement.

[0020] Each recess or projection of the receiving element or the moving element can correspond to at least one puzzle piece and / or a sub-segment of several puzzle pieces of the puzzle to be separated.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the movement element can be a movable pressure and / or tension element, in particular a stamp and / or a suction element.

[0022] In this embodiment, the contact element can be formed by a pressure surface of a pressure element, in particular the stamping surface of a stamp, or the coupling surface of a pulling element, in particular the suction nozzle of a suction element.

[0023] The device can comprise a plurality of simultaneously movable movement and contact elements, so that a plurality of puzzle pieces can be simultaneously removed from the puzzle to be separated. In particular, the movement and contact elements can be arranged in a movement element holder such that one or more simultaneously movable movement and contact elements are each arranged in a section of the movement element holder, wherein each section can correspond to a sub-segment of the puzzle to be separated, so that the puzzle pieces can be removed one after the other within a sub-segment of the puzzle.

[0024] However, the device can have a movement and contact element for each puzzle piece or each sub-segment of the puzzle to be separated.

[0025] The contact elements can be designed and / or arranged in a movement element holder such that the contact elements almost completely cover the surface of the puzzle to be separated. In this case, the contact elements can at least partially abut one another laterally. To prevent jamming or wear, the contact elements can be designed to be elastically deformable in their peripheral area.

[0026] Since the puzzles to be separated can have very differently designed puzzle pieces and the arrangement of the puzzle pieces in the punched carrier plate can change due to wear, the movement and / or contact elements can be arranged in a movement element holder in such a way that the movement and / or contact elements can be moved transversely to the direction of movement when a puzzle piece is removed from the puzzle to be separated in at least one, preferably in two directions running transversely to one another, within the movement element holder in order to be able to make adjustments.

[0027] The contact elements can have different contact surfaces, which can be adapted to the size of the assigned puzzle piece(s) or sub-segments of the puzzle to be separated.

[0028] The device may further comprise a fixing device for fixing the puzzle pieces arranged adjacent to a puzzle piece to be removed that are not intended to be removed. The fixing device may, in particular, comprise a clamping ring or frame with which the puzzle piece(s) to be fixed can be clamped against the receiving element.

[0029] At least one movement and / or contact element can be designed in the device in such a way that it has a fixing position in which it can fix one or more puzzle pieces laterally and / or in the direction of movement when they are removed.

[0030] The receiving element can have a support plate for supporting a puzzle to be separated, wherein the support plate can provide a support surface. Furthermore, the support plate can have at least one, preferably several, holes through which the at least one movement and / or contact element or a removed puzzle piece can be moved. In particular, a movement and / or contact element can be assigned to each hole.

[0031] The at least one movement and / or contact element can, in particular, be movable relative to the puzzle to be separated, transversely to the direction of movement when removing a puzzle piece from the puzzle to be separated, in at least one, preferably two, directions running transversely to one another, in order to bring the various puzzle pieces to the respective movement and / or contact element. The receiving element can also be movable relative to the puzzle in the same way.

[0032] Conversely, the device can also comprise a puzzle movement device with which the puzzle to be separated or parts of a remaining puzzle can be moved relative to a movement element holder and / or to the receiving element, in particular displaced on the receiving element.

[0033] The device can further comprise a puzzle piece receiving device for receiving a single puzzle piece or several removed puzzle pieces. The puzzle piece receiving device can comprise a gripping or suction device for at least one puzzle piece or preferably all of the puzzle pieces. In addition, a receiving container can be provided, in particular a cylindrical receiving container with a diameter adapted to the puzzle pieces or a receiving container with grid or perforated walls. The dimensions or the diameter of the receiving container can be adapted to the puzzle pieces in such a way that the puzzle pieces cannot twist or tilt in the receiving container, so that a stack can be formed in the receiving container. The dimensions of the receiving space in the receiving container can preferably be adjustable by means of a movable piston.The grid or perforated walls of the container allow for the suction of dust that has been created when separating the puzzle pieces.

[0034] The device may further comprise an actuating device for actuating the movement element(s), which preferably comprises one or more actuating elements associated with the movement elements, which are arranged in particular in a direction transverse to the direction of movement when removing a puzzle piece at fixed predetermined positions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0035] The attached drawings show in a purely schematic manner in Figure 1 shows a detail of a plan view of a receiving element of a device according to the invention for separating puzzle pieces in the form of a plate with projections and depressions. Figure 2 shows a side sectional view through a device according to the invention with a movement element and receiving element in the form of plates with projections and depressions. Figure 3 shows a side sectional view through part of a device according to Figure 2 after a separation process, Figure 4 a side sectional view similar to the Figure 2 , however, the projections and recesses are dimensioned for separating partial segments with several puzzle pieces of the puzzle, Figure 5 a plan view of the receiving element of a device according to Figure 4 , Figure 6 a plan view of the movement element of a device according to Figure 4, Figure 7 a side sectional view through a further embodiment of a device according to the invention for separating puzzle pieces of a puzzle, Figure 8 a representation of an arrangement of a perforated plate according to a device similar to the device from Figure 7 in relation to a puzzle to be separated, Figure 9 shows a side sectional view of a part of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention for separating puzzle pieces, and Figure 10 shows a side sectional view of a part of yet another embodiment of a device according to the invention for separating puzzle pieces. EXAMPLES OF IMPLEMENTATION

[0036] Further advantages, characteristics, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0037] The Figure 1shows a section of a plan view of a receiving element of a device according to the invention for separating puzzle pieces in the form of a plate with projections and depressions, while in Figure 2 a side sectional view of a corresponding device can be seen. In Figure 2 The puzzle 1 to be separated is shown with a multitude of puzzle pieces 3. The puzzle 1 consists of a carrier plate onto which an image 2 is laminated or printed. The puzzle 1 in Figure 2 has already been divided into the plurality of puzzle pieces 3 by a cutting or punching process, whereby, however, the positive connection of the puzzle pieces 3 to one another still ensures that the puzzle pieces are connected in directions in the image plane. Furthermore, during the cutting or punching process, it may happen that there is no complete separation, but rather a thin, materially bonded connection through the carrier material.

[0038] The Figure 2 shows a side sectional view through a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for separating puzzle pieces 3 of a puzzle 1. The Figure 2The device shown has a receiving element 4 in the form of a plate with projections 6 and recesses 7, as well as a moving element 5, which also has projections 6 and recesses 7 that are complementary to the projections 6 and recesses 7 of the receiving element 4. The projections of the receiving element 4 have support surfaces 9 that serve to support the puzzle 1 to be separated. The projections 6 of the moving element 5 represent contact elements that have contact surfaces 8 that come into contact with the puzzle pieces 3 to be removed from the puzzle 1 when the moving element 5 is moved in the direction of the receiving element 4 in order to carry out a separation process. By moving the moving element 5 in the direction of the receiving element 4, the contact surfaces 8 of the projections 6 of the moving element 5 press pieces of the puzzle pieces 3 from the puzzle 1 into the recesses 7 of the receiving element 4, so that the puzzle pieces 3 are separated.

[0039] There, as in the Figure 1 As shown, the projections 6 and depressions 7 are arranged alternately with each other according to the puzzle pieces 3 of the puzzle 1 to be separated, all puzzle pieces 3 of the puzzle 1 to be separated are separated from each other with a single movement of the movement element 5 in the direction of the receiving element 4 and brought into defined positions.

[0040] In the Figure 1For a puzzle 1 in which the puzzle pieces 3 are arranged in a plurality of rows A, B, C, D.. and columns A, B, C, D.., it can be seen in a plan view of the associated receiving element 4 that, for example, the puzzle element in row B and column B is designed as a projection 6, while the adjacent puzzle element in row B and column C is designed as a depression. Accordingly, the puzzle elements in row A, column B, row B, column A and row C, column B are also designed as depressions, while, for example, the puzzle element in row C and column C is again designed as a projection. Of course, so-called random-cut puzzles without a row and column structure can also be separated accordingly.

[0041] The Figure 3 shows in a side view the situation after a separation process with a device according to Figure 2 . Again Figure 3As can be seen, a part of the puzzle pieces 3 is located in the recesses 7 of the receiving element 4, while the other part of the puzzle pieces 3 lies on the projections 6 or support surfaces 9, so that all puzzle pieces 3 are separated from one another after a single movement process for separating the puzzle pieces 3 and can be further processed in a defined manner.

[0042] In the Figure 3It is schematically shown that a puzzle piece receiving device can, for example, comprise a plurality of suction nozzles 10, preferably exactly as many suction nozzles 10 as individual puzzle pieces 3, so that several puzzle pieces 3 or preferably all puzzle pieces 3 can be picked up and further processed simultaneously by the puzzle piece receiving device or the suction nozzles 10. For example, the puzzle pieces 3 held by the puzzle piece receiving device can be placed back in a desired location one after the other by appropriately switching the suction nozzles 10, or several puzzle pieces 3 can be placed back in a desired location simultaneously, depending on how the suction nozzles 10 are switched.

[0043] The Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the invention for separating puzzle pieces 3, which is essentially identical to the device of Figure 2However, the dimensions of the lateral extension of the projections 6 and depressions 7, i.e. the dimensions in directions parallel to the image plane of the puzzle 1, are dimensioned differently, so that a depression 7 of the receiving element 4 can receive a plurality of puzzle pieces 3 or a partial segment of the puzzle 1 to be separated, which, for example, comprises a plurality of puzzle pieces 3 lying next to one another along the rows and columns of a puzzle 1, so that the puzzle 1 to be separated is separated segment by segment. The separated partial segments of the puzzle 1 must then be further separated accordingly, if desired, wherein devices according to the invention or devices or methods according to the prior art can be used.

[0044] The Figures 5 and 6 show corresponding top views of the receiving element 4 ( Figure 5 ) and the movement element 5 ( Figure 6 ) a device according to the Figure 4 . The Figures 5 and 6 It can be seen that the corresponding projections 6 can be designed in a simple basic shape, such as in the shape of the rectangles or squares shown, and do not have to be modeled on the individual puzzle pieces 3, as in the case of the receiving element 4 or movement element 5 of the device according to Figure 2 . However, such a design is also suitable for a device for separating individual puzzle pieces 3 according to the embodiment of the Figure 2 Similar to the device used in the Figures 4 to 6 for segmental separation of the puzzle pieces 3, the projections 6 of the receiving element 4 and the moving element 5 only need to have smaller dimensions than the complementary recesses, as shown by the dashed lines in the Figure 5is shown in order to protect the edge areas of the puzzle pieces 3 to be removed so that they are not sheared by projections 6 and depressions 7.

[0045] The Figure 7 shows a side sectional view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention for separating puzzle pieces 3. In the device according to the Figure 7 the puzzle 1 to be separated is mounted with a plurality of puzzle pieces 3 on a perforated plate 11, wherein the perforated plate 11 has at least one, preferably several holes 17.

[0046] In addition, the device according to Figure 7a movement element holder 12 is provided, in which at least one, preferably several movement elements in the form of stamps 13 are arranged. The stamps 13 comprise a shaft 14 and a stamp base 15 and are movable according to the double arrow transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the puzzle plane or the image plane of the puzzle 1. For example, a linear guide for the shaft 14 of the stamp 13 can be provided in the movement element holder 12. The movement element holder 12 further has a fixing ring 16, which is also movable according to the double arrow transversely or perpendicularly to the puzzle plane or image plane of the puzzle 1.

[0047] If a puzzle 1 to be separated is located on the perforated plate 11, the stamp 13 can be moved in the direction of the perforated plate 11 and thereby presses the puzzle piece 3 out of the puzzle 1 with the stamp foot 15, so that the puzzle piece 3 falls downwards through the hole 17. Of course, the reverse arrangement and direction of movement is also conceivable, so that a stamp presses the puzzle piece 3 out upwards.

[0048] Below the hole 17, a funnel 20 and a receiving container 18 are arranged, into which the removed puzzle piece 3 falls. If the funnel 20 and the receiving container 18 are dimensioned such that they only have a diameter or a maximum dimension in a direction parallel to the puzzle plane that is slightly larger than the puzzle pieces 3 to be removed, the puzzle piece 3 will not twist or jam when falling, and the puzzle pieces 3 can be collected in a stack in the receiving container 18. This can be further supported by the fact that the receiving space of the receiving container 18 or the falling height of the puzzle pieces 3 can be changed by a piston 19 movable in the receiving container 18 such that the falling height is as low as possible, so that the puzzle piece 3 has no possibility of tipping or twisting.

[0049] In order to prevent the adjacent puzzle pieces 3 from tipping or slipping when a puzzle piece 3 is pressed out by the stamp base 15 of a stamp 13, the movement element holder 12 has the fixing ring 16, with which the adjacent puzzle pieces 3 are fixed during the removal of the puzzle pieces 3.

[0050] The separation of the puzzle pieces 3 of the puzzle 1 to be separated can be carried out in this device according to Figure 7can now be carried out in such a way that the puzzle 1 to be separated is moved relative to the stamp(s) 13 using a puzzle moving device, so that different puzzle pieces 3 can be successively removed from the puzzle 1. In the embodiment shown, the puzzle moving direction has a suction device 21 with one or more suction nozzles for fixing and / or lifting the puzzle 1 to be separated, as well as a clamping slide 28 for laterally clamping and pushing the puzzle 1, wherein the suction device 21 and the clamping slide 28 can be moved in directions parallel to the puzzle plane or image plane of the puzzle 1, so that all puzzle pieces 3 of the puzzle 1 to be separated can reach below the stamp(s) 13.

[0051] For example, in a puzzle with 1000 puzzle pieces 3, a perforated plate 11 with 40 holes 17 and a movement element holder 12 with 40 stamps 13 can be provided, so that 40 puzzle pieces 3 can be removed from the puzzle 1 to be separated and transferred to corresponding receiving containers 18 during a movement process for removing puzzle pieces 3. After the first 40 puzzle pieces 3 have been removed, the puzzle 1 is moved relative to the 40 stamps 13 and the 40 holes 17, for example along a row or a column of the puzzle 1, so that the respective adjacent puzzle pieces 3 can be removed. By 25 consecutive removal movements of the stamps 13 and corresponding grid-like displacement of the puzzle 1 relative to the stamps 13 and the holes 17, all puzzle pieces 3 of the puzzle 1 can thus be separated.Of course, the description with 40 stamps and 40 holes of the perforated plate 11 is merely an example, and it is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the basic principle can be adapted to a different number of stamps 13, holes 17, and puzzle pieces 3 of a puzzle 1. In . Figure 8 is a plan view of a puzzle 1 with the representation of holes 17 of a perforated plate 11 arranged underneath to illustrate the principle, wherein the double arrows shown indicate the movement of the puzzle 1 relative to the holes 17.

[0052] The Figure 9shows part of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, in which the stamp feet 15 with the contact surfaces 8 almost completely cover the surface of the puzzle 1 to be separated, so that the stamp feet 15 are closely adjacent to one another and can also touch one another. Accordingly, an individually actuated stamp 13 is provided for each puzzle piece 3 to be removed, so that each individual puzzle piece can be removed from the puzzle 1 in the desired manner without having to move the puzzle 1 relative to the stamps 13.

[0053] At the Figure 9 In the embodiment shown, the movable stamps 13 are prestressed by spring elements 23, as shown by way of example on a stamp 13, in a position in the movement element holder 12 in which the puzzle piece 3 cannot be removed from the puzzle 1.

[0054] In addition, the stamps 13 each have a pressure plate 22 at the end of the shaft 14 opposite the stamp base 15, via which the stamp 13 can be actuated.

[0055] In order to allow an adaptation of the stamps to variations in the puzzle 1 to be separated, the stamps 13 can be designed to be adjustable in directions parallel to the puzzle plane or image plane of the puzzle 1, as shown by the double arrows in Figure 9 indicate.

[0056] In order to minimize mutual wear and tear when providing the contact surfaces 8 of the stamp feet 15 over the entire surface and to prevent the stamps 13 from jamming, the stamp feet 15 can be designed in accordance with the embodiment of the Figure 9 have an elastic material on their lateral peripheral edge.

[0057] The Figure 9It can further be seen that the movement element holder 12 and the stamps 13 arranged therein so as to be movable can be designed such that a stamp 13 which has been actuated and has released a corresponding puzzle piece 3 does not initially return to its original position, but remains at least partially in the extended position for releasing the puzzle piece 3, in order to thereby remain in the gap 25 of the puzzle 1 and thus to effect a lateral fixation of the puzzle 1.

[0058] The Figure 10 shows yet another embodiment of a device according to the invention for separating a puzzle 1. The Figure 10 The device shown is similar to the device of Figure 9, but an actuating device 26 is additionally provided for actuating the stamps 13. The actuating device 26 has a plurality of actuating elements 27 corresponding to the number of stamps 13, although fewer actuating elements 27 can also be provided if they can move several stamps 13 simultaneously. For example, when using a perforated plate with 40 holes, one actuating element 27 can be used for 40 stamps 13, so that the stamps 13, under which the holes are arranged, are moved simultaneously in order to remove the puzzle pieces.

[0059] The actuating elements 27, like the stamps 13, are movable in a direction transverse to the puzzle plane or image plane of the puzzle 1, so that the actuating elements 27 can press on the pressure plates 22 of the stamps 13 and thereby move them accordingly. The actuating elements 27 are arranged at predetermined positions in the actuating device 26 according to a fixed grid structure. In contrast, the stamps 13 of the moving element holder 12, with their stamp feet 15 and the positioning of the shafts 14 in the moving element holder 12, are adapted to the design of the puzzle pieces 3 of the puzzle 1 to be separated. Accordingly, the device according to Figure 10 constructed so that different movement element holders 12 can be used, adapted to different puzzles 1 to be separated, while the actuating device 26 can be used universally for all different movement element holders 12. In the Figure 10 The dashed lines show by way of example how the shaft 14 of a stamp 13 can be arranged offset to the longitudinal axis of an actuating element 27 in order to obtain an optimal position for the stamp foot 15 for moving the puzzle piece 3 out of the puzzle 1.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments, but rather that modifications are possible in such a way that individual features can be omitted or other combinations of features can be implemented without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In particular, the present disclosure includes all combinations of the individual features shown in the various exemplary embodiments, so that individual features that are only described in connection with one exemplary embodiment can also be used in other exemplary embodiments or in combinations of individual features not explicitly shown. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0061] 1 Puzzle 2 Image 3 Puzzle piece 4 Receptacle 5 Moving element 6 Projection 7 Recess 8 Contact surface 9 Support surface 10 Suction nozzles 11 Perforated plate 12 Moving element holder 13 Stamp 14 Shaft 15 Stamp base 16 Fixing ring 17 Hole 18 Receptacle 19 Piston 20 Funnel 21 Suction device 22 Pressure plate 23 Spring 24 Elastic edge 25 Gap 26 Actuating device 27 Actuating element 28 Clamping slide A, B, C..Rows and columns

Claims

1. A method for producing a puzzle (1) comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces (3) which, in an assembled state, form the puzzle, wherein, in the method, an image (2) is laminated or printed onto a carrier plate so that the image defines an image plane on the carrier plate, and the puzzle pieces (3) are punched out of the printed or laminated carrier plate, or wherein the carrier plate is punched, and an image (2) is printed on the punched carrier plate so that the image defines an image plane on the carrier plate, characterised in that the puzzle pieces (3) are detached and separated from the punched carrier plate in a predetermined way by a controlled movement of at least one puzzle piece (3) transverse to the image plane, so that the puzzle pieces are present in a defined manner after separation..

2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the controlled movement is performed perpendicular to the image plane.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that one or more puzzle pieces (3) are simultaneously and / or successively detached from the punched carrier plate, particularly in that up to half of the puzzle pieces of the puzzle are simultaneously detached from the punched carrier plate or in that all puzzle pieces are separated simultaneously.

4. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a plurality of sub-segments is defined for the puzzle, wherein each sub-segment comprises specific puzzle pieces (3) and respectively at least one puzzle piece (3) is simultaneously detached from the punched carrier plate for all sub-segments or all puzzle pieces (3) of one or more sub-segments are simultaneously detached from the punched carrier plate, wherein, particularly in case of a detached sub-segment, a further separation of the puzzle pieces of the sub-segment is carried out according to the present method or a another method.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterised in that the puzzle pieces (3) of a sub-segment are defined by at least one characteristic of the puzzle pieces (3) selected from a number of characteristics comprising the association with one or more rows of the puzzle, the association with part of one or more rows of the puzzle, the association with one or more columns of the puzzle, the association with part of one or more columns of the puzzle, the association with an arbitrary local area of the puzzle, one or more primary colours or colour components of the puzzle pieces, the edge pieces of the puzzle, the number of recesses or projections of the puzzle pieces and combinations thereof.

6. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one puzzle piece adjacent to the puzzle piece (3) to be detached or all puzzle pieces adjacent to the puzzle piece to be detached or all puzzle pieces adjacent to the puzzle piece to be detached which have a common section line are fixed during the movement of the puzzle piece to be detached.

7. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the controlled movement for detaching the at least one puzzle piece (3) is a linear translational movement, particularly a pushing or pulling movement.

8. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the detached puzzle pieces (3) are disposed in a common plane which is, in particular, parallelly offset relative to the image plane of the unmoved puzzle pieces after the detachment from the punched carrier plate.

9. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, following the controlled movement for detaching the at least one puzzle piece (3), the at least one puzzle piece (3) is placed in a storage container (18).

10. The method according to one of the claims 4 to 9, characterised in that the puzzle pieces (3) of a sub-segment are placed and / or stacked in a common storage container (18).

11. A device for separating puzzle pieces of a puzzle (1) including a plurality of puzzle pieces (3), particularly for implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises an accommodation element (4) for the puzzle of puzzle pieces (3) connected to each other and at least one moving element (5), characterised in that the at least one moving element (5,13) is movable relative to the accommodation element (4,11) so that at least one contact element (6,15) comes into contact with at least one puzzle piece (3) and the puzzle piece is moved transverse to the accommodation element (4,11) by the contact element (6,15) so that the at least one puzzle piece (3) is detached from the puzzle (1) , so that the puzzle pieces are present in a defined manner after separation.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterised in that the moving element (5) is a plate having a plurality, particularly up to half the number of the puzzle pieces to be separated, of projections (6) and cavities (7) on one side, the projections (6) being the contact elements, and in that the accommodation element (4) is a plate having projections (6) and cavities (7) complementary to the moving element (5), the projections (6) being a support for the puzzle to be separated so that, when the puzzle to be separated is disposed on the accommodation element (4) and the moving element (5) is moved in the direction toward the accommodation element (4), one or more puzzle pieces (3) are pushed into the complementary cavity (7) of the accommodation element (4) by each projection (6) of the moving element.

13. The device according to claim 12, characterised in that each cavity (7) or each projection (6) corresponds to at least one puzzle piece (3) and / or one sub-segment of a plurality of puzzle pieces (3) of the puzzle (1) to be separated.

14. The device according to claim 11, characterised in that the moving element (13) is a movable pushing and / or pulling element, particularly a die and / or a suction element.

15. The device according to claim 11 or 14, characterised in that the contact element (15) is a pushing surface of a pushing element, particularly the die surface of a die (13), or the coupling surface of a pulling element, particularly the suction nozzle of a suction element.

16. The device according to one of the claims 11, 14 or 15, characterised in that the device comprises a plurality of moving and contact elements (13,15) which are simultaneously movable so that a plurality of puzzle pieces (3) can be simultaneously detached from the puzzle the to be separated, wherein, in particular, the moving and contact elements (13,15) are disposed in a moving element support (12) so that one or more moving and contact elements (13,15) which are simultaneously movable are disposed in one portion of the moving element support, respectively, each portion corresponding to a sub-segment of the puzzle (1) to be separated.

17. The device according to one of the claims 11, 14 to 16, characterised in that the device includes a moving and contact element (13,15) for each puzzle piece (3) or each sub-segment of the puzzle (1) to be separated, respectively.

18. The device according to one of the claims 11, 14 to 17, characterised in that the contact elements (15) are disposed in a moving element support so that the contact elements (15) almost completely cover the surface of the puzzle (1) to be separated, the contact elements (15), at least in part, laterally abutting against each other and / or being elastically deformable at their peripheral portion.

19. The device according to one of the claims 11, 14 to 18, characterised in that the moving and / or contact elements (13,15) are disposed in a moving element support (12) so that the moving and / or contact elements (13,15) are slidable transverse to the direction of the movement during the detachment of a puzzle piece (3) from the puzzle (1) to be separated in at least one, preferably in two directions extending transverse to each other within the moving element support (12).

20. The device according to one of the claims 11 to 19, characterised in that the contact element (6,15) has a contact surface (8) which is adapted to the size of the allocated puzzle piece (3) or sub-segment or the allocated puzzle pieces (3) or sub-segments of the puzzle to be separated.

21. The device according to one of the claims 11 to 20, characterised in that the device includes fixation means serving to fix the puzzle pieces (3) disposed adjacent to a puzzle piece (3) to be detached which are not to be detached, the fixation means, in particular, comprising a clamping ring or frame (16) by means of which the puzzle piece (3) or the puzzle pieces (3) to be fixed can be clamped against the accommodation element (11).

22. The device according to one of the claims 11 to 21, characterised in that at least one moving and / or contact element (13,15) is formed so that it has a fixing position in which it fixes one or more puzzle pieces (3) laterally and / or in the direction of the movement during the detachment.

23. The device according to one of the claims 11 to 22, characterised in that the accommodation element includes a support plate (11) for supporting the puzzle to be separated, the support plate having, in particular, at least one, preferably a plurality of holes (17) through which the at least one moving and / or contact element (13,15) or a detached puzzle piece (3) can be moved, a moving and / or contact element (13,15) being, in particular, allocated to each hole (17).

24. The device according to one of the claims 11 to 23, characterised in that the at least one moving and / or contact element (13,15), particularly together with a moving element support (12) in which it is accommodated, and / or the accommodation element (11) is / are movable transverse to the direction of the movement during the detachment of a puzzle piece from the puzzle (1) to be separated in at least one, preferably in two directions extending transverse to each other relative to the puzzle to be separated.

25. The device according to one of the claims 11 to 24, characterised in that the device comprises puzzle moving means by means of which the puzzle to be separated or parts of a remaining puzzle is / are movable relative to a moving element support (12) and / or to the accommodation element (11), particularly slidable on the accommodation element (11).

26. The device according to one of the claims 11 to 25, characterised in that the device includes puzzle part take-up means for taking up an individual or a plurality of detached puzzle pieces which comprises a gripping or suction device (21) for at least one puzzle piece (3) and / or a receiving container (18), particularly a cylindrical receiving container having a diameter adjusted to the puzzle pieces or a receiving container having grid or perforated walls, a receiving space in the receiving container preferably being adjustable by a movable piston (19).

27. The device according to one of the claims 11 to 26, characterised in that the device includes operating means (26) for operating the moving element or the moving elements (13) which preferably include one or more operating elements (27) allocated to the moving elements (13) which are, in particular, disposed at fixedly predetermined positions in a direction transverse to the direction of the movement during the detachment of a puzzle piece (3).

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