U.S. patent application number 11/014465 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for decorative devices and methods of making same.
Invention is credited to Joy A. Packard, Scott D. Pearson, Mauro Porcini, Sigurdur Thorsteinsson.
Application Number | 20060134277 11/014465 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36263998 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060134277 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Packard; Joy A. ; et
al. |
June 22, 2006 |
Decorative devices and methods of making same
Abstract
The present invention relates to a decorative device for a
non-food item, kits relating to the device, and methods of making
the device. In one embodiment, the decorative article includes a
non-food item having a first portion, a second distal portion, and
a middle section disposed between the first and second portion. A
decorative article is attached to the first portion of the non-food
item. And, a decorative base is attached to the second portion of
the non-food item. In another embodiment, the decorative article
does not extend to the second portion of the non-food item.
Inventors: |
Packard; Joy A.; (Somerset,
WI) ; Pearson; Scott D.; (Woodbury, MN) ;
Thorsteinsson; Sigurdur; (Milano, IT) ; Porcini;
Mauro; (Bregano (VA), IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
PO BOX 33427
ST. PAUL
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Family ID: |
36263998 |
Appl. No.: |
11/014465 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B44C 5/00 20130101; B65D
81/365 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/115 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/32 20060101
B65D081/32 |
Claims
1. A decorative device comprising: a non-food item comprising a
first portion, a second distal portion, and a middle section
disposed between the first and second portion; a decorative article
attached to the first portion of the non-food item; and a
decorative base attached to the second portion of the non-food
item.
2. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
decorative article and the decorative base does not extend to the
middle section of the non-food item.
3. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
decorative article and the decorative base does not contact the
middle section of the non-food item.
4. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
decorative article and the decorative base is made from a polymeric
material.
5. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
decorative article and decorative base is colorable.
6. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the non-food item has
a centerline that extends throughout the device, and the ratio of
the longest dimension of the decorative article, as measured normal
to the centerline, to the longest dimension of the decorative base,
as measured normal to the centerline, is less than about 2:1.
7. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the non-food item has
a centerline that extends throughout the device, and the ratio of
the longest dimension of the decorative article, as measured normal
to the centerline, to the longest dimension of the decorative base,
as measured normal to the centerline, is less than about 0.9:1.
8. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the middle section
comprises a compartment.
9. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the non-food item is
selected from the group consisting of an applicator and a
bottle.
10. A decorative applicator comprising: a body comprising a
material therein, the body having a first end, a second end, and an
middle section disposed between the first and second end, wherein
either the first or the second end includes means for dispensing
the material through the first end, a decorative article attached
to the first end of the body; and a decorative base attached to the
second end of the body.
11. The decorative applicator of claim 10, wherein the at least one
of the decorative article and the decorative base does not extend
to the middle section of the body of the glue stick.
12. The decorative applicator of claim 10 further comprising a cap
for attachment to the first end of the body.
13. The decorative applicator of claim 10, wherein the applicator
further comprises a cap and the decorative article is attached to
the cap.
14. The decorative applicator of claim 10, wherein the material is
selected from the group consisting of adhesive, paint, lip balm,
and lipstick.
15. The decorative applicator of claim 10, wherein at least one of
the decorative article and the decorative base is removably
attached to the first and the second end of the body
respectively.
16. The decorative applicator of claim 10, wherein at least one of
the decorative article and decorative base is made from injection
moldable polymers, thermoformable polymers, moldable plastics,
stamped plastics or metals, and extrudable polymers.
17. The decorative applicator of claim 10, wherein the middle
section of the body is substantially cylindrical or substantially
polygonal.
18. The decorative applicator of claim 10, wherein at least one of
the decorative article and decorative base is colorable.
19. The decorative applicator of claim 10, wherein the applicator
has a centerline, and the ratio of the longest dimension of the
decorative article, as measured normal to the applicator's
centerline, to the longest dimension of the decorative base, as
measured normal to the applicator's centerline, is less than about
2:1.
20. The decorative applicator of claim 10, wherein the applicator
has a centerline, and the ratio of the longest dimension of the
decorative article, as measured normal to the applicator's
centerline, to the longest dimension of the decorative base, as
measured normal to the applicator's centerline, is less than about
0.9:1.
21. A kit comprising: at least two non-food items, each comprising
a first portion, a second distal portion, and a middle section
disposed between the first and second portion; at least two
different decorative articles each removably attached to the first
portion of the at least two non-food items; and at least two
different decorative bases each removably attached to the second
portion of the non-food items, wherein when the at least two
different decorative articles are removably attached to the at
least two non-food items, the at least two different decorative
articles do not extend to the middle section of the at least two
non-food items.
22. The kit of claim 21, wherein the at least two different
decorative articles are interchangeable with one another.
23. The kit of claim 21 further comprising means for coloring at
least one decorative article and one decorative base.
24. A method of decorating an applicator comprising the steps of:
providing a body comprising material therein, the body having a
first end, a second end, and an middle section disposed between the
first and second end, wherein either the first or the second end
includes means for dispensing the adhesive through the first end,
providing a decorative article and a decorative base; attaching the
decorative article to the first end of the body; and attaching the
decorative base to the second end of the body.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein after the decorative article
has been attached to the first end of the body, the decorative
article does not extend to the middle section of the body.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the decorative article is
provided as two portions, a first portion and a second portion.
27. The method of claim 24 wherein the first portion contain at
least one pin and wherein the second portion contain at least one
boss, the pin and boss aligned on the first and second
portions.
28. The method of claim 24, wherein the first and second portions
are spin welded or ultrasonically welded together to form the
decorative article.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates decorative devices and methods
of making them. In one embodiment, the present invention pertains
to embellishments for non-food items so as to make them decorative
and attractive to users.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It may be desirable for some to decorate non-food items to
make them more attractive to the user or to decorate them for a
particular season or celebration. For example, pencils can be
decorated with ornamental erasers or ornamental devices on the
non-writing end. While these decorations are available in the
market, other decorations are still needed.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present invention relates to decorating a device so as
to make them more attractive and appealing to the users. In one
aspect, the present invention pertains to a decorative device
comprising (a) a non-food item comprising a first portion, a second
distal portion, and a middle section disposed between the first and
second portion; (b) a decorative article attached to the first
portion of the device; and (c) a decorative base attached to the
second portion of the device.
[0004] In another aspect, the non-food item is an applicator and
present invention pertains to a decorative applicator comprising
(a) a body comprising a material therein, the body having a first
end, a second end, and an middle section disposed between the first
and second end, wherein the first end is designed to hold a cap and
wherein either the first or the second end includes means for
dispensing the material through the first end, (a) a decorative
article attached to the cap; and (c) a decorative base attached to
the second end of the body.
[0005] Yet another aspect of present invention pertains to a kit
comprising: (a) at least two non-food items, each comprising a
first portion, a second distal portion, and a middle section
disposed between the first and second portion; (b) at least two
different decorative articles each removably attached to the first
portion of the at least two non-food items; and (c) at least two
different decorative bases each removably attached to the second
portion of the non-food items. When the decorative articles are
removably attached to the non-food items, they do not extend to the
middle section of the non-food items. One advantage of the kit is
that the different decorative articles and decorative bases are
interchangeable with one another, so that the user can generate
different decorative devices. Another advantage of kit is that the
user can generate a collection of the devices that can create
different permutations of the devices.
[0006] Yet another aspect of the present invention pertains to a
method of decorating an applicator comprising the steps of: (a)
providing a body comprising a material therein, the body having a
first end, a second end, and an middle section disposed between the
first and second end, wherein the first end is designed to hold a
cap and wherein either the first or the second end includes means
for dispensing the material through the first end, (b) providing a
decorative article and a decorative base; (c) attaching the
decorative article to the cap; and (d) attaching the decorative
base to the second end of the body.
[0007] The present invention is meant to decorate the underlying
non-food item to make them more appealing to the user. As such, the
decorations are attached onto to specific portions of the non-food
item and thus do not cover the entire the underlying non-food item.
The decorative article and decorative base, once attached to the
non-food item (such as, but not limited to, glue stick, paint
stick, lipstick, lip balm), do not extend to the middle section
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention may be more completely understood in
view of the following detailed description of the various
embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary inventive
device having a decorative article and a decorative base; and
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of another exemplary
inventive device where the non-food item is a glue stick and where
the decorative article and the decorative base has not yet been
attached to the glue stick;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of sections of an exemplary
decorative article;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of sections of another
exemplary decorative article; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of sections of yet another
exemplary decorative article.
[0014] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will described in detail. It should be
understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the
invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. Device 10 contains non-food item 12, which can be of any
type, including but not limited to, writing utensils (such as pens,
markers, crayons, etc.), applicators for items such as, but not
limited to adhesives, paint, lipstick, and lip balm, wooden
articles (including but not limited to blocks and cylinders),
plastic articles (including but not limited to bottles), and metal
articles. The non-food item has a first portion (not shown) that is
covered by decorative article 20. The non-food item has a second
distal portion, i.e., a second portion (not shown) that is
positioned away from the first portion that is covered by
decorative base 22. The decorative article and/or the decorative
base can completely cover or cover only a part of the first portion
or second portion respectively. The non-food item has middle
section 14. In one embodiment, the middle section includes at least
one compartment for holding items or materials.
[0016] While FIG. 1 shows that the middle portion of the non-food
item is substantially cylindrical, it is within the scope of the
present invention for the middle section to be of other shapes. For
example, the cross section of the middle section can be circular
and have a varying diameter. The cross-section of the middle
section can be any be a polygon, such as a triangle, square,
rectangle, etc. or it can be star-shaped, moon-shaped. Combinations
of the shapes can be used. The cross section of the middle section
can be the same or different in shape and size than that of the
first and second portions.
[0017] In one embodiment, at least one of the decorative article
and decorative base does not extend to the middle section of the
non-food item. The term "extend to" means generally that the
decoration is of a sufficient length that it does not reach into
the middle section. In another embodiment, at least one of the
decorative article and decorative base does not contact the middle
section of the non-food item.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention where the non-food item is an applicator. Applicator 40
has body 42 and cap 52 containing material 44 therein. The body
includes first end 46, second end 50, and middle section 48
disposed between the first and second end. In the embodiment of
FIG. 2, reference numbers 48a and 48b delineate middle section 48
from the first and second ends. The first end of the body is
designed to hold cap 52. Material 44 can be any viscous, pliable,
or abradable substance. Illustrative examples include, but are not
limited to, adhesives, paint, lip balm, and lipstick. When material
44 is an adhesive, then the applicator is typically referred to as
a glue stick.
[0019] In one embodiment, the adhesive is non-toxic as defined in
the Federal Hazardous Substance Act and conforms to ASTM D-4236. In
another embodiment, the adhesive is a permanent adhesive. As used
herein, the term "permanent adhesive" means, generally that when
the adhesive is applied to a target surface (such as, e.g., paper,
fabric, or photo), which surface is then applied to a substrate,
the adhesion between the target surface and the substrate is of a
strength that will not allow removal of one from another without
damaging at least one or the other. In another embodiment, the
adhesive is a repositionable adhesive. As used herein, the term
"repositionable adhesive" means generally that when the target
surface is removed from the substrate (or vice versa), there is
substantially no or very little damage to either one. In yet
another embodiment, the adhesive is photo safe. In yet another
embodiment, the adhesive is washable.
[0020] Returning now to FIG. 2, decorative article 60, shown
unattached to the cap, contains a hole (not shown) at the bottom of
the article for attachment to the cap of the applicator. Once
assembled, the decorative article can cover the entire cap or just
a portion of the cap, but it does not extend to the middle section
of the body. In one embodiment, the decorative cap does not come
into contact with the middle section of the body. Decorative base
62, shown unattached to the second end of the glue stick, contains
a hole for attaching to the second end of the body of the
applicator. Once assembled, the decorative base can cover the
entire second portion or just a part of the body of the applicator.
In one embodiment, the decorative base does not extend to the
middle section. In another embodiment, the decorative base does not
come into contact with the middle section of the body. Attaching
the decorative article and the decorative base to the applicator
yields a decorative applicator, one that may be more aesthetically
more appealing to the user.
[0021] The decorative article of FIG. 2 may be of a design that,
once attached to the first end of the applicator, the center of
mass of the applicator or non-food item will shift. If the
decorative base of the applicator is not sufficiently wide, the
applicator may tip over when placed in its intended position. In
one embodiment, to prevent the tipping of the applicator, a ratio
of a dimension of the decorative article to a dimension of the
decorative base can be used for design purposes. As shown in FIG.
2, the applicator has a centerline shown as reference number 65,
which line has been extended through the decorative head and
decorative base. That is, the centerline of the applicator extends
throughout the applicator. Line 60a, drawn normal to the
applicator's centerline, represents the longest distance from the
centerline to the furthest point on the decorative article. Line
62a, also drawn normal to the applicator's centerline, represents
the longest distance from the centerline to the furthest point on
the decorative base. In one embodiment, the ratio of the distance
of 60a to 62a is less than 2:1. In another embodiment, the ratio of
the distance 60a to 62a is less than 0.9:1.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary decorative article having first
part 70 and second part 76. First part 70 has at least one pin 72
and in this particular case, the pin is mounted on a ring that
defines hole 74 where the first portion of the non-food item or,
with reference to FIG. 2, the first end of the body of the
applicator would reside. Second part 76 has at least one boss 78
also mounted on a ring that defines hole 80 where the first portion
of the non-food item or the first end or, with reference to FIG. 2,
the first end of the of the body of the applicator. The pins and
bosses are aligned on the first and second parts of the decorative
article so as to allow for their mating. The first and second parts
of the decorative article can be attached together using various
methods, such as spin or ultrasonic welding, or using adhesive or
mechanical means. In one application, the decorative article of
FIG. 3 is attached to the cap of the applicator through welding,
through adhesive means, or through mechanical means.
[0023] FIGS. 4a and 4b shows another exemplary decorative article
having first part 90 and second part 96. First part 90 has at least
one pin 92 and in this particular case, the pin is mounted on a
ring that defines hole 94. Second part 96 has at least one boss 98
also mounted on a ring that defines hole 100. The pins and bosses
are aligned on the first and second parts of the decorative article
so as to allow for their mating. FIG. 4b is a bottom perspective
view of the second part of the decorative article to better show
the existence of hole 100. In one application, the decorative
article functions as the cap of the applicator once the first and
second parts are attached. While FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the
decorative article has parts divided generally horizontally, other
planes can be used. For example, the first and second parts of the
decorative article can be divided vertically.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows yet another exemplary decorative article where
first part 101 has a plurality of holes 105 where pins 104 of
decorative hair piece 103 illustrating that other accessories can
be added to the decorate article to achieve a desired design.
[0025] The decorative article and the decorative base can be made
from a wide variety of material, including but not limited to,
injection moldable polymers, thermoformable polymers, moldable
plastics, stamped plastics or metals, and extrudable polymers. Some
illustrative polymers include polystyrene, high impact polystyrene,
polyethylene, polyurethanes, rubbers, and elastomers. They can also
be made from other materials, such as wood, metals, or ceramics.
The decorative article and the decorative base can be formed (e.g.,
injection molded) as one piece and attached to the non-food item or
applicator with an interference fit. The decorative article and
decorative base can be made with multiple parts and then joined
together, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.
[0026] In one embodiment, the decorative article and the decorative
base are of a size that meets regulations to reduce choking hazards
in children less than three years of age. The decorative article
conforms to ASTM D-4236 for size. In one embodiment, at least one
of the decorative article and decorative base is permanently
attached to the first end of the applicator. That is, they cannot
be removed without damaging the applicator or to the non-food item.
In another embodiment, the decorative article and decorative base
is removably attached to the applicator or to the non-food item.
That is, they can be removed from the applicator or non-food item
as desired by the user and then later reattached.
[0027] The decorative article and the decorative base can be
colorable, meaning generally, that they are able to accept and
retain color from various sources. Exemplary sources of color
include, but are not limited to, markers, crayons, color pencils,
and water or oil based paints. This feature allows the user to
produce a custom device to generate unique works of art.
* * * * *