Puzzle piece storage system, puzzle sales unit, and puzzle manufacturing method

Abstract

The invention relates to a sales unit for puzzles, said sales unit comprising a puzzle with a number of puzzle pieces which together form a picture with one or more motifs, and a storage container (6, 7) for said number of puzzle pieces, said number of puzzle pieces of a picture constituting at least two or more puzzle piece groups each containing two or more puzzle pieces, regardless of motif or motif, said puzzle piece groups being arranged separately from each other in said storage container (6, 7).The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing puzzles and a system for storing puzzles, said system comprising a storage container (6, 7) and two or more dimensionally stable sub-storage containers (9, 29), each sub-storage container (9, 29) capable of storing a puzzle piece group with two or more puzzle pieces.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Technical Field The present invention relates to the field of puzzles, in particular to a puzzle sales unit comprising a number of puzzle pieces which together form a picture, and to a storage system for puzzles, a container for storing said puzzle pieces, said storage system comprising part of said puzzle sales unit. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing puzzles. [Background technology]

[0002] Latest background technology Puzzle games are known products in which a motif, for example a photograph, a picture or a designed graphic image, is produced as a puzzle. The motif is often selected by the puzzle game manufacturer to produce multiple puzzle games with the same motif. On the other hand, customers can also use their personal motif and upload their order, for example through the internet or an app.

[0003] A motif template is often included to make it easier for the customer to assemble the puzzle. In many cases, the motif template is displayed on the box the puzzle is in. Alternatively, the motif template may be included as a separate printed item, such as a poster. In the current background art, the puzzle itself is stored in a bag, or the individual puzzle pieces are stored directly in the box without a bag. Alternatively, a puzzle may have multiple bags, each containing a portion of the motif.

[0004] Due to the nature of the manufacturing process, it often happens that one or more puzzle pieces go missing from a puzzle game. Customers often realize this much later or towards the end of the puzzle assembly. In such situations, the customer is unable to fully assemble the puzzle, which is very inconvenient. In some cases, customers complain about the product, which requires the puzzle motif to be fully assembled. In such situations, many manufacturers suggest placing an order for the individual puzzle pieces, which can lead to additional costs and time wastage that customers are concerned about.

[0005] Further problems arise for some customers. Some customers have low skill in assembling puzzle pieces or low motivation for this task, so it takes a lot of time and patience. For example, if the motif contains large monochromatic areas, assembling these motif parts is usually more difficult than for motifs or motif parts with very diverse designs. This tendency is especially noticeable when using personal motifs, because when selecting a motif, many customers often do not consider whether the motif is suitable for a puzzle. Therefore, in practice, the problem of the motif being too difficult for any customer arises.

[0006] US Patent No. 3 879 861 discloses a board game for character disassembly, in which the game board is provided with a number of recesses for receiving insert pieces. The insert pieces represent various shapes of heads and are inserted into the recesses to form the heads. However, the insert pieces do not represent only a specific head when inserted, but rather form different heads in various combinations. Other insert pieces can relate to other body parts. In addition to depicting a specific shape of the head or body, the insert pieces also contain references to the characteristics of the character associated with that shape, so that a player who places the appropriate insert piece in the recess for a particular character receives the characteristics of that character. Multiple insert pieces can be placed one above the other in the recess to select different shapes, so that the shape of the selected head or body part is placed on top of the insert pieces stacked in the recess and is visible.

[0007] German Utility Model No. 89 00 811 discloses a puzzle game and a puzzle box for playing, sorting and storing the individual puzzle pieces.

[0008] French publication No. 2 758 529 discloses an advent calendar with 24 spherical containers, each containing a puzzle piece. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 3,879,861 [Patent Document 2] German Utility Model No. 89 00 811 [Patent Document 3] French Publication No. 2 758 529 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] To provide a puzzle game in which a customer can check whether all puzzle pieces are present before assembling the puzzle and can select the level of difficulty of the puzzle by himself / herself. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] This object is solved by a sales unit for puzzles with the features of claim 1, a storage system for puzzles with the features of claim 9 and a method for manufacturing puzzles with the features of claim 18. The related claims aim to provide advantageous designs.

[0012] According to the present invention, the first partial problem is solved by the puzzle sales unit or puzzle storage system, since the puzzle pieces are not mixed and disorganized in the storage container, such as a box or a bag. The puzzle pieces are stored in a properly organized state so that it is easy to visually check whether the number of puzzle pieces is complete. The puzzle pieces forming a picture constitute at least two or more puzzle piece groups, each containing two or more puzzle pieces, depending on or regardless of one or more motifs of the picture. The puzzle piece groups are arranged separately from each other in the storage container. In the manufacture of the puzzle, when the picture is divided into individual puzzle pieces and separated into puzzle pieces, the separated puzzle pieces of one picture form two or more puzzle piece groups, depending on or regardless of one or more motifs of the picture, and each puzzle piece group is separated from each other. In order to avoid the puzzle pieces being mixed in the storage container and to store them in the proper order, the sales unit comprises two or more sub-storage containers arranged in the storage container, and each sub-storage container stores one puzzle piece group.

[0013] Each sub-container is designed, through the design of the sub-container and the puzzle pieces, such that the completeness of the puzzle pieces in each puzzle piece group can be confirmed through the interaction of the puzzle pieces and the sub-container. Thus, by the simplest method of matching one dimension of the sub-container to one dimension of the puzzle piece (e.g., the thickness or number of the puzzle pieces), the sub-container is provided with an indication of the number of puzzle pieces contained therein, or that the puzzle pieces contained in the sub-container are complete. Alternatively or in addition, the sub-container can have an indication to help confirm whether the number of puzzle pieces contained therein is as specified.

[0014] According to the present invention, the second partial problem is solved in that each puzzle piece group can assemble a puzzle by itself, each puzzle piece group preferably forms a connecting part of the whole picture or puzzle motif, and all puzzle pieces group form a complete puzzle. Thus, the user can decide for himself whether to assemble a puzzle with individual puzzle pieces group or to mix two or more puzzle pieces group. In this way, the user has a great deal of flexibility in deciding which part of a picture and at what level of difficulty he wants to assemble the puzzle.

[0015] A picture in this specification is any representation in any medium, such as cardboard, that can be separated into individual puzzle pieces, thereby creating a puzzle having multiple puzzle pieces that can be assembled into the picture in turn.

[0016] Since each group of puzzle pieces can have the same number of puzzle pieces, it is possible to quickly check whether one or more puzzle pieces are missing in each group of puzzle pieces.

[0017] Each puzzle piece group can contain any number of puzzle pieces and can depend on the total number of puzzle pieces in the puzzle, so that a puzzle with more puzzle pieces can contain puzzle piece groups with (more) puzzle pieces and a puzzle with fewer puzzle pieces can contain puzzle piece groups with fewer puzzle pieces. The number of puzzle pieces in each puzzle piece group can be up to 250 puzzle pieces, in particular up to 100 puzzle pieces, preferably up to 50 puzzle pieces, or even up to 25 or 10 puzzle pieces.

[0018] The puzzle pieces of each group of puzzle pieces may represent well-defined sub-segments of the completed puzzle, the sub-segments being defined by at least one characteristic of the group of puzzle pieces selected from a number of characteristics consisting of a relationship to one or more rows of the puzzle, a relationship to a portion of one or more rows of the puzzle, a relationship to one or more columns of the puzzle, a relationship to a portion of one or more columns of the puzzle, a relationship to a local region of the puzzle, one or more base colors or color components of the puzzle pieces, a boundary piece of the puzzle, a number of recesses or protrusions of the puzzle pieces, and combinations thereof.

[0019] The puzzle pieces of the group of puzzle pieces can be classified and / or stacked in a sales unit or arranged in a puzzle storage system according to one of the characteristics of the puzzle pieces in particular. This allows the correct number of puzzle pieces to be easily checked, for example, if the number of stacked puzzle pieces is the same, the height is the same, and if a puzzle piece is lost, the height of the stacked puzzle piece is reduced, which is very easy to check. Similarly, other reference dimensions can be taken into account, for example the storage capacity of the secondary storage container, the height of the secondary storage container, the height of the walls surrounding the secondary storage container, the signs provided on the secondary storage container, etc.

[0020] Therefore, according to one aspect of the claim relating to a puzzle storage system that includes a plurality of puzzle pieces and generates a picture by combining the plurality of puzzle pieces, protection is claimed for the puzzle storage system, which is one aspect of the present invention, regardless of the other aspects of the present invention. The system includes a storage container for storing puzzle pieces and two or more sub-storage containers, each of which can store a puzzle piece group having two or more puzzle pieces. Furthermore, each sub-storage container has an index, and by using the index, it is possible to know that the puzzle pieces of each puzzle piece group in the sub-storage container are complete when the puzzle pieces are placed in the sub-storage container.

[0021] To this end, the secondary container can be designed to be dimensionally stable in at least one dimension, such that the dimensionally stable dimension of the secondary container provides an indication, for example by allowing the secondary container to accommodate a precise number of puzzle pieces. Additionally or alternatively, the secondary container can have indicia that act as an indication.

[0022] The secondary storage bins can be individual bins and / or shelves or sections of a common bin for multiple groups of puzzle pieces.

[0023] The sub-containers are preferably designed so that each sub-container can store exactly one stack of puzzle pieces, making it easy to know the correct number of puzzle pieces stored.

[0024] This can be achieved in particular by designing the or each sub-container to define a storage space that is precisely sized in one dimension such that a stack of puzzle pieces can be held in the storage space or the stack can close flush with the upper edge of the storage space. Alternatively or additionally, corresponding markings on the sub-container can be used to verify that the correct number of puzzle pieces has been placed in the sub-container.

[0025] The secondary storage container can be designed in particular as a closable cylinder or tub or rectangular container, preferably with a circular or rectangular cross section, the diameter or dimensions of which are selected such that the puzzle pieces with the largest dimensions among the puzzle pieces to be stored can be stored with a certain amount of space between them in order to store all the puzzle pieces loosely. Furthermore, the diameter or dimensions can be small enough so that the stack of puzzle pieces can be stored in the secondary storage container in a dimensionally stable manner, i.e. so that the stack of puzzle pieces does not fall apart.

[0026] The secondary containers can be formed as cubic containers made of cardboard or carton and can be formed by suitable folding.

[0027] The secondary housing may include opening or removal aids to facilitate removal of the puzzle pieces. In particular, secondary housings made of cardboard or paperboard, for example, may include perforations and / or folds to tear at least a portion of the secondary housing and fold back at least some area of ​​the secondary housing wall.

[0028] The containers can be produced in particular in the shape of a cube, preferably made of a two-piece carton, each having a lid and either a lower or bottom part. The secondary containers can be produced preferably with a one-piece insert for the container with a number of pockets for storing the puzzle pieces. Alternatively, an insert element can be provided with slots into which the individual secondary containers can be flexibly inserted. The insert and / or the insert element can be printed in particular with a pictorial representation or motif, which can be used to position the puzzle pieces or secondary containers in the pockets or slots in which they are stored. That is to say, the puzzle pieces stored in a particular pocket or slot of the insert or insert element correspond to parts of the printed picture.

[0029] The sub-containers can be closed individually or together. For this purpose, an intermediate layer element can be provided which can be arranged between the container, in particular the lid of the container, and the sub-container in order to hold and / or close the sub-containers securely. The intermediate layer element can be flexible, for example an upholstered cushion made of cardboard, plastic, foam or similar material.

[0030] Furthermore, the container (particularly the bottom part of the container) may be provided with a sealing foil for sealing the container or a part of the container (e.g. the bottom part) together with a sub-container accommodated in the container. For this purpose, the sealing foil for sealing the opening of the container or the part of the container may be arranged on the opening edge by a sealant (particularly by gluing or welding).

[0031] After the puzzle pieces are separated, the separated puzzle pieces can be stored in individual sub-containers during the manufacturing process, and the puzzle pieces can be stored separately. The puzzle pieces of each separated puzzle piece group can in turn represent a well-defined partial segment of the completed puzzle, regardless of motif or motif. In particular, the partial segment can be defined by at least one characteristic of the puzzle pieces. The characteristic is selected from several characteristics consisting of a relationship to one or more rows of the puzzle, a relationship to a portion of one or more rows of the puzzle, a relationship to one or more columns of the puzzle, a relationship to a portion of one or more columns of the puzzle, a relationship to a local area of ​​the puzzle, one or more base colors or color elements of the puzzle pieces, a boundary piece of the puzzle, a number of recesses or protrusions of the puzzle pieces, and combinations thereof. Effect of the Invention

[0032] According to the present invention, a puzzle game is provided in which a customer can check whether all puzzle pieces are present before assembling the puzzle, and can further select the level of difficulty of the puzzle by himself / herself. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] The accompanying drawings are merely schematic. [Figure 1] A puzzle in modern background technology is shown. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a puzzle storage system according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a stack of puzzle pieces stored in a secondary storage container according to the present invention. [Figure 4] A top view of a separated secondary container containing a stack of puzzle pieces is shown. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the secondary storage container of FIG. [Figure 6] 13 shows a perspective view of another secondary container with a cap. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an interlayer element and a housing with an insert element and multiple separated sub-housings. [Figure 8] 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the bottom part of the container in FIG. 7 with the secondary container inserted into the insertion part. FIG. [Figure 9] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom part of the container in FIG. 7 with the sub-container fixed to the insertion part and sealed by the sealing foil of the bottom part. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 shows a perspective view of a further secondary container; FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a side view of the secondary storage container of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Exemplary embodiments Further advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, to which, however, the present invention is not limited.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a standard puzzle 1, which represents a picture 2 in an assembled state. The picture 2 is represented using a medium, for example cardboard or carton, on which a representation of a motif is printed. The picture 2, as is standard for puzzles 1, can be separated into a number of individual pieces, so-called puzzle pieces 3. A sales unit of puzzle 1 usually comprises the separated puzzle pieces 3 in a storage container, which the user assembles into the picture 2.

[0036] The puzzle pieces 3 have protrusions 4 and recesses 5 for assembling them, which are designed in various ways so that corresponding puzzle pieces 3 can be assembled, with at least one protrusion 4 matching a recess 5. The protrusions 4 and recesses 5 of multiple puzzle pieces 3 can be designed to be different from all puzzle pieces or at least from the majority of puzzle pieces, thereby creating a unique arrangement of the puzzle pieces 3, at least in relation to the edges of the puzzle pieces 3, which also differ between the puzzle pieces.

[0037] In most cases, the puzzle pieces 3 are arranged in 16-20 rows and 10-15 columns, whereby a unique position of each puzzle piece 3 is defined by specifying the corresponding 16-20 rows and 10-15 columns. For example, the puzzle piece 3 at the top left corner of the puzzle 1 in FIG. 1 can be defined by row 16 and column 10. A specific description of the rows and columns, e.g. (16;10), uniquely defines the position of the puzzle piece 3. However, there are puzzles in which the puzzle pieces 3 can be designed and arranged in a completely random condition. Such puzzles are known as so-called random cut puzzles.

[0038] In a puzzle consisting of rows and columns or a random cut puzzle, the partial segments of the puzzle 1 can be clearly defined by a motif or regardless of the motif. According to the invention, these partial segments are assembled into puzzle piece groups during the manufacturing process. The puzzle piece groups can be separated. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each of the puzzle pieces 3 in 16-20 rows or each of the puzzle pieces 3 in 10-15 columns can be one puzzle piece group. Alternatively, a certain number of puzzle pieces 3 can be a puzzle piece group. For example, six puzzle pieces can be a puzzle piece group, such as puzzle pieces 3 in 10, 11 columns and 16-18 rows, puzzle pieces 3 in 19, 20 rows and 10-12 columns, puzzle pieces 3 in 16-18 rows and 12, 13 columns, puzzle pieces 3 in 16-18 rows and 14, 15 columns, and puzzle pieces 3 in 19, 20 rows and 13-15 columns. Thus, when, during the puzzle manufacturing process, the picture 2 is cut into individual puzzle pieces 3 which are then cut and separated from one another, a group of puzzle pieces 3 can be formed which can be assembled or separated individually from one another, regardless of the motif of the picture 2.

[0039] Each puzzle piece group 3 can be stored in a corresponding sub-storage container 9, as shown in Fig. 2 as an example. Thus, the corresponding puzzle piece groups 3 are stored in different sub-storage containers in the sales unit of the puzzle 1, and the user can assemble parts of the puzzle using the puzzle piece groups 3. Naturally, the user can disassemble the completed puzzle 1 into puzzle piece groups 3 again depending on how they want to separate them, and store the individual puzzle piece groups in the sub-storage containers 9 separately from each other.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows an example of a storage system for puzzle pieces 3 separated by puzzle piece groups 3 as described above. FIG. 2 shows a storage container with a bottom part 6 and a lid part 7, which is formed in a cube shape made of carton in which puzzle pieces 3 can be stored. Inserts 8 are provided in the storage containers 6, 7 or the bottom part 6 to store the individual puzzle piece groups 3 separately. Like the bottom part 6, the inserts are formed in a cube shape or a tub shape with an open top. The inserts have a number of parallel separating walls 21 on the outside, thereby forming a number of sub-storage containers 9 with an open top that can hold the individual puzzle piece groups 3. For example, if the number of puzzle pieces 3 in each puzzle piece group is the same and / or the puzzle pieces 3 are the same size and easily visible, it is easy to check whether the puzzle pieces 3 of the puzzle 1 stored in the storage containers 6, 7 or the sub-storage containers 9 are complete.

[0041] This is facilitated if the puzzle pieces 3 can be stacked in the sub-container 9 in order to store a stack of one or more puzzle pieces 3 in the sub-container 9, especially in the case of a large number of puzzle pieces 3 per puzzle piece group. This is shown for example in FIG. 3 for a stack of puzzle pieces 3, which shows a detailed view of one of the sub-containers arranged next to each other and a number of puzzle pieces 3 stacked in one sub-container 9. However, the stack of puzzle pieces shown in the exemplary embodiment is not arranged upright on the lowest puzzle piece, but horizontally. Thus, the stack of puzzle pieces 3 in the stored state is horizontal with respect to the bottom of the sub-container 9. As shown in FIG. 3, the stack of puzzle pieces 3 has a height equal to the length of the sub-container 9 or the adjacent separating wall 21. Thus, the upper and lower sides of the stack lie flat on the separating wall 21 running parallel to the upper or lower sides of the stack, and the stack is sandwiched between the separating walls 21. If the secondary storage container 9 contains the correct number of puzzle pieces 3, the stack is securely fixed within the secondary storage container 9, but if a puzzle piece 3 is missing, the stack cannot be held within the secondary storage container 9.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows one of the multiple sub-storage containers 9 in the insertion part 8. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the storage principle of a separately designed sub-storage container 9. As shown in the top view of Fig. 4 and the perspective view of Fig. 5, multiple cube-shaped sub-storage containers 9 with open tops can be placed in a storage container for puzzles (e.g., a cube-shaped box).

[0043] Another embodiment of the secondary storage container 9 is shown in Fig. 6. The secondary storage container 9 in Fig. 6 is formed in a tub-shaped or cylindrical shape with a circular cross section that can be closed on one or both sides. The diameter of the circular cross section is slightly larger than the maximum dimension of the puzzle pieces 3 to be stored, so that a stack of puzzle pieces 3 can be stored in the secondary storage container, and the puzzle pieces 3 are stored loosely. However, the maximum diameter of the circular cross section of the tub-shaped or cylindrical secondary storage container is dimensioned so that the individual stacked puzzle pieces 3 do not fall out of the stack and, for example, into the gap between the stack and the secondary storage container 9.

[0044] Furthermore, the embodiment of the sub-container 9 in FIG. 6 shows that the corresponding sub-container 9 can have a cap 22 to prevent the puzzle pieces 3 from falling out.

[0045] 6, a marking 26 is provided on the upper edge of the secondary container 9. The marking 26 allows easy identification of the correct number of puzzle pieces 3 in the secondary container 9. Thus, in this case, the stack of puzzle pieces 3 does not need to close flush with the upper side of the secondary container 9, but the upper side of the stack must match the marking 26 on the secondary container.

[0046] However, instead of the mark 26, the height of the secondary storage container 9 can be used as an indicator of the number of puzzle pieces 3 and whether they are complete. In this case, when the correct number of puzzle pieces 3 are stored in the secondary storage container 9, the top of the puzzle pieces 3 or stack is closed at the same height as the upper boundary of the tub-shaped or cylindrical secondary storage container 9. When the secondary storage container 9 is closed at the top at the same height as the puzzle pieces 3, the correct number of puzzle pieces 3 is stored. On the other hand, when there are missing puzzle pieces 3, the correct number of puzzle pieces 3 are not stored, and it can be easily and quickly identified that there are missing puzzle pieces 3.

[0047] According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, each secondary storage container 9 can be stored in the storage containers 6, 7, which are two-piece boxes in a cubic shape. As shown in Fig. 7, an insert element 23 having a plurality of pockets 24 is disposed in the bottom part 6, and the secondary storage containers 9 can be inserted into the pockets 24. Here, the diameter of the pockets 24 can be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the secondary storage containers 9, so that the secondary storage containers 9 are firmly stored in the pockets 24 of the insert element 23.

[0048] The intermediate layer element 25 is inserted between the secondary housing 9 and the lid 7 to close the upper side of the secondary housing 9, so that the secondary housing 9 can be left in an open state at the upper side. Preferably, the intermediate layer element 25 is elastically deformable so that the lid 7 can press the secondary housing 9 to ensure that the secondary housing 9 is closed.

[0049] In this embodiment, the user can open the storage containers 6, 7 by removing the lid part 7 and remove the intermediate layer element 25, and then remove and empty the individual sub-storage containers 9 separately. However, the user can leave the sub-storage containers 9 at least partially in the insert element 23 and empty the sub-storage containers 9 stored in the insert element 23 together by simply turning over the bottom part 6. Thus, the user can check the difficulty level of the puzzle 1 for himself by assembling only individual or multiple partial segments of the puzzle 1 depending on the puzzle pieces in the sub-storage containers 9, or by assembling the whole puzzle 1 with all partial segments by turning over all puzzle pieces from the sub-storage containers 9 together. Furthermore, since the puzzle pieces 3 stacked in the sub-storage containers 9 must be located flush with either the sign or the designated boundary of the sub-storage container 9, the user can identify at a glance whether each sub-storage container 9 contains the correct number of puzzle pieces 3.

[0050] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through the bottom part 6 of the housing 6, 7 of figure 7. Figure 8 shows the secondary housing 9 fixed in the insert element 23. To facilitate the user's gripping and removing the secondary housing 9 from the insert element 23, said secondary housing 9 is provided with a reinforced edge 27.

[0051] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view through the bottom part 6 of the housing 6, 7 of Figure 7. Figure 9 shows a secondary housing 29 fixed in the insert element 23. The secondary housing 29 is designed such that when inserted into the bottom part 6 of the housing 6, 7 and the insert element 23, its upper opening is aligned with the upper edge 30 of the bottom part 6. A sealing foil 28 is attached to the upper edge 30, for example by gluing or welding, to close the secondary housing 29 and the bottom part 6.

[0052] The secondary storage container 29 is a cubic container made of cardboard or carton, having opening or removal aids such as perforations 32 and folds 31, as can be seen in particular in Figs. 10 and 11. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the rectangular secondary storage container 29, and Fig. 11 is a side view of the same secondary storage container 29. As shown in Fig. 11, two perforations 32 arranged parallel to the edges 33 of the secondary storage container 29 are formed in the side wall, so that the side wall can be torn along said perforations 32. In the lower region of the side wall, a fold 31 is formed at the end of the perforations 32, so that the side wall can be folded along said fold 31. Thus, a user can simply and easily remove the puzzle pieces 3 arranged in the secondary storage container 29 by removing the secondary storage container 29 from the storage container 6, 7, tearing the side wall along the perforations 32 and folding the side wall along the fold 31. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the perforations 32 in the side wall are slightly offset from the edge 33 of the secondary housing 29, but could also be formed directly at the edge 33.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described in detail using exemplary embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Rather, modifications can be made by omission of individual features or combination with other features without departing from the scope of protection of the included claims. Since the present disclosure particularly includes all combinations of individual features shown in the various exemplary embodiments, individual features that are described only in relation to one exemplary embodiment can also be used in other exemplary embodiments or in combination with individual features not explicitly shown. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 puzzle, 2 picture, 3 puzzle piece(s), 4 protrusion, 5 recess, 6 bottom (container), 7 lid (container), 8 insert, 9 secondary container, 10-15 columns, 16-200 rows, 21 partition, 22 cap, 23 insert element, 24 pocket, 25 intermediate layer element, 26 label, 27 reinforced edge, 28 sealing foil, 29 secondary container, 30 edge, 31 fold, 32 perforation

Claims

1. A puzzle sales unit comprising a puzzle (1) having a plurality of puzzle pieces (3) which together form a picture (2), A storage container (6, 7) for storing the plurality of puzzle pieces (3), the plurality of puzzle pieces (3) of the picture (2) form a plurality of puzzle piece groups each having two or more puzzle pieces (3); The plurality of puzzle pieces are arranged separately from each other in the storage container (6, 7), The sales unit comprises two or more sub-receptacles (9, 29) arranged within the receptacle (6, 7); Each sub-container (9, 29) contains one group of puzzle pieces (3); Each of the sub-containers (9, 29) is designed so that the completeness of the puzzle pieces in each puzzle piece group can be confirmed through the interaction between the puzzle pieces and the sub-container (9, 29) through the design of the sub-container (9, 29) and the puzzle pieces. Puzzle sales unit.

2. An arbitrary number of puzzle pieces (3) corresponding to the number of the plurality of puzzle pieces (3) in a group is exactly stored in the secondary storage container (9, 29), and / or the secondary storage container (9, 29) has a visible marking that indicates the number of the puzzle pieces (3) stored in the secondary storage container (9, 29) or indicates that the puzzle pieces (3) are complete when the puzzle pieces (3) are stored in the secondary storage container (9, 29) up to the position of the marking. The dimensions of the plurality of puzzle pieces (3) in the group and the dimensions of the sub-storage containers (9, 29) are the same.

10. A sales unit for the puzzle of claim 1.

3. The number of puzzle pieces (3) in each group is the same.

10. A sales unit for the puzzle of claim 1.

4. The number of puzzle pieces (3) per group is 250 puzzle pieces (3) or less.

10. A sales unit for the puzzle of claim 1.

5. Each puzzle piece (3) of a group of puzzle pieces (3) corresponds to a clearly defined partial segment of the completed puzzle (1); 10. A sales unit for the puzzle of claim 1.

6. The partial segment is defined by at least one characteristic of the plurality of puzzle pieces (3), The characteristic of the first is: a relationship between one or more rows of said puzzle; a relationship between one or more lines of the puzzle and a portion of the puzzle; a relationship between one or more columns of said puzzle; a relationship between one or more portions of the puzzle; relationship to any local region of the puzzle; one or more base colors or color components of said plurality of puzzle pieces; a plurality of boundary pieces of the puzzle; The number of recesses or protrusions of the plurality of puzzle pieces and their combinations; and wherein the characteristics are selected from the plurality of characteristics consisting of:

6. A sales unit for a puzzle according to claim 5.

7. The plurality of puzzle pieces (3) are sorted and / or stacked into puzzle piece groups according to the one characteristic.

7. A sales unit for a puzzle according to claim 6.

8. The secondary storage container (9, 29) defines a storage space; the storage space is designed so that a stack of a certain number of said puzzle pieces (3) can be held in said storage space or said stack can close the upper edge of said storage space flush; and / or The storage space has a mark, and the mark is designed to have a function for identifying the number of the plurality of puzzle pieces (3) stored in the sub-storage container (9, 29).

8. A sales unit for a puzzle according to claim 7.

9. A puzzle storage system, comprising: a plurality of puzzle pieces (3) that together form a picture and are part of a sales unit of a puzzle according to claim 1; and a storage container (6, 7) for storing the plurality of puzzle pieces (3), The storage system comprises two or more sub-containers (9, 29), The sub-container (9, 29) can store a group of puzzle pieces (3) of one picture (2) having two or more puzzle pieces (3), Each of the sub-containers (9, 29) has an index, When they are placed in the sub-container, the indicators can be used to verify that the puzzle pieces of each puzzle piece group in the sub-container (9, 29) are complete. Puzzle storage system.

10. the secondary container (9, 29) is designed to be dimensionally stable in at least one dimension, such that the dimensionally stable dimension of the secondary container (9, 29) exhibits the indication; and / or The secondary container (9, 29) has a marking that functions as the indicator.

10. The puzzle storage system according to claim 9.

11. The sub-containers (9, 29) are individual containers and / or trays or sections of a common container (8) for multiple puzzle piece groups; 10. The puzzle storage system according to claim 9.

12. said secondary storage container (9, 29) is designed so that exactly one stack of puzzle pieces (3) can be stored in said secondary storage container (9, 29); and / or The secondary containers (9, 29) are especially designed with opening or removal aids such as perforations and / or folds.

10. The puzzle storage system according to claim 9.

13. The secondary storage container (9, 29) is designed as a closable tube or tub or rectangular container, with a circular or rectangular cross section; The diameter or dimensions of the cross section are selected so that the puzzle piece having the largest dimension among the puzzle pieces to be stored can be stored with a gap.

10. The puzzle storage system according to claim 9.

14. The container (6, 7) is formed in a cubic shape from a two-piece carton having a lid (7) and a bottom (6).

10. The puzzle storage system according to claim 9.

15. Each of the sub-receptacles (9, 29) is formed by a one-piece insert (8) for the receptacle (6, 7) having a plurality of pockets for respectively storing groups of puzzle pieces (3), or The storage containers (6, 7) have insert elements with a plurality of pockets capable of holding the sub-storage containers (9, 29), respectively.

10. The puzzle storage system according to claim 9.

16. The insert and / or the insert element are printed with a puzzle representation or motif.

16. The puzzle storage system of claim 15.

17. The storage system further comprises an intermediate layer element; the intermediate layer element is arranged between the lid (7) of the container (6, 7) and the secondary container (9, 29) to securely hold and / or close the secondary container (9, 29); the intermediate layer element is elastically deformable; or The bottom part (6) of the container (6, 7) is provided with a sealing foil (28), The sealing foil (28) is firmly and materially bonded or welded to the bottom part (6), The sealing foil is capable of holding and / or closing the secondary container (29).

10. The puzzle storage system according to claim 9.

18. A method for manufacturing a puzzle for a sales unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: In this manufacturing process, a picture (2) is separated into a number of puzzle pieces (3), The separated puzzle pieces (3) of the picture (2) form a plurality of puzzle piece (3) groups and are separated from each other into groups; The separated group of puzzle pieces (3) is stored in a secondary storage container (9, 29) of the puzzle storage system according to any one of claims 9 to 17. How puzzles are made.

19. the puzzle pieces (3) in each group of the separated puzzle pieces correspond to clearly defined sub-segments of the completed puzzle; the sub-segment is defined by at least one characteristic of the puzzle piece; The characteristic of the first is: a relationship between one or more rows of said puzzle; a relationship between one or more lines of the puzzle and a portion of the puzzle; a relationship between one or more columns of said puzzle; a relationship between one or more portions of the puzzle; relationship to any local region of the puzzle; one or more base colors or color components of said plurality of puzzle pieces; a plurality of boundary pieces of the puzzle; The number of recesses or protrusions of the plurality of puzzle pieces and their combinations; and wherein the characteristics are selected from the plurality of characteristics consisting of:

19. A method for manufacturing a puzzle according to claim 18.

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