U.S. patent application number 12/487037 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-24 for elongate decorative element.
Invention is credited to Bernhard Hofer.
Application Number | 20090313744 12/487037 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40104827 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090313744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hofer; Bernhard |
December 24, 2009 |
ELONGATE DECORATIVE ELEMENT
Abstract
A decorative element (7) including a multitude of gems, wherein
the gems are distributed on an adhesive layer and are held by the
adhesive layer and wherein the adhesive layer (2) is applied on an
elongate body (1) whose longitudinal extent is a multiple greater
than its cross-sectional periphery.
Inventors: |
Hofer; Bernhard; (Telfes,
AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
1030 15th Street, N.W.,, Suite 400 East
Washington
DC
20005-1503
US
|
Family ID: |
40104827 |
Appl. No.: |
12/487037 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/244 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B44C 1/28 20130101; B44C
5/00 20130101; B24B 55/06 20130101; B24B 55/04 20130101; A44C 17/04
20130101; D06Q 1/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/244 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/08 20060101
A41D027/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 19, 2008 |
AT |
GM 349/2008 |
Claims
1. A decorative element including a multitude of gems, wherein the
gems are distributed on an adhesive layer and are held by the
adhesive layer and wherein the adhesive layer is applied on an
elongate body whose longitudinal extent is a multiple greater than
its cross-sectional periphery, wherein the elongate body is a
flexible cable or a flexible body in wire form or a rod of circular
or polygonal cross-section.
2. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rod is
curved.
3. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rod is
of circular or polygonal cross-section.
4. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least
two of the gems are distributed on a continuous adhesive layer and
are held thereby.
5. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal extent of the elongate body is greater than its
cross-sectional periphery by a factor of at least five.
6. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal extent of the elongate body is greater than its
cross-sectional periphery by a factor of at least ten.
7. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
cross-sectional periphery is substantially constant over the
longitudinal extent.
8. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
elongate body is at least approximately cylindrical or
prismatic.
9. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
elongate body comprises an electrical conductor.
10. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gems
are glass elements.
11. A decorative element as set forth in claim 10, wherein the
predominant part of the gems are in the form of balls, wherein at
least 5% of the glass elements have flat boundary surfaces.
12. A decorative element as set forth in claim 11, wherein at least
a part of the gems comprises balls.
13. A decorative element as set forth in claim 12, wherein said
balls are ground in a facet-like configuration.
14. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein in that
the adhesive layer is distributed in surface-coverage relationship
on the surface of the elongate body.
15. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein in that
the gems are distributed in surface-coverage relationship on the
surface of the elongate body.
16. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gems
comprise transparent material and have a non-mirrored rear
side.
17. A decorative element as set forth in claim 10, wherein fewer
than 25% of the gems comprise ground balls.
18. A decorative element as set forth in claim 11, wherein the gems
with flat boundary surfaces are the ground balls.
19. A decorative element as set forth in claim 11, wherein the gems
with flat boundary surfaces include preferably ground
parallelepipeds.
20. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein in that
the size of the gems is between 0.15 and 3 mm.
21. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein in that
the size of the gems is between 0.15 and 1.5 mm.
22. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein in that
the adhesive layer includes a reactive polyurethane.
23. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
adhesive layer is transparent.
24. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
adhesive layer is colored.
25. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gems
include transparent material and are at least partially provided
with interference-generating or absorbent layers.
26. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein a bonding
agent is applied at least to parts of the gems.
27. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least
parts of the gems are colored in plan view.
28. A decorative element as set forth in claim 1, wherein a
securing device is arranged at one or both ends of the elongate
body.
29. A process for the production of a decorative element as set
forth in claim 1, wherein in a continuous process an adhesive layer
is applied to the elongate body and then the gems are applied to
the adhesive layer.
30. A process as set forth in claim 29, wherein the adhesive layer
is fluid while the gems are applied to the adhesive layer.
31. A process as set forth in claim 29, wherein the adhesive layer
are applied substantially uniformly along the cross-sectional
periphery.
32. A process as set forth in claim 29, wherein the gems are
applied substantially uniformly along the cross-sectional
periphery.
Description
[0001] The invention concerns a decorative element including a
multitude of gems, wherein the gems are distributed on an adhesive
layer and are held by the adhesive layer and wherein the adhesive
layer is applied on an elongate body whose longitudinal extent is a
multiple greater than its cross-sectional periphery.
[0002] The fashion and design industry has long been occupied with
applying gems and precious stones to an article of clothing or a
fashion accessory. It is essential in terms of applying such gems
that at least a part of the surface of the gems is coated with an
adhesive layer and the gems are then applied directly at the
desired location. It will be noted however that if large-area
regions are to be provided with gems or however if the gems are
very small and unwieldy it is extremely complicated and costly for
the gems to be individually coated with for example liquid hot melt
adhesive and fixed at the desired location.
[0003] A further known possible procedure is for the gems firstly
to be secured to a transfer medium and for the transfer medium then
to be applied to an article of clothing or fashion accessory. EP 1
295 984 A2 discloses a film which can be coated with a hot melt
adhesive, wherein over a large area on the film glass balls and
glass elements provided with facets are pressed into the melt
layer. It is found that this suffers from the disadvantage that
such films provided with gems can be arranged primarily on flat
articles. In addition depending on the respective article to which
such a film is to be applied, the existence of the film itself can
be found to be optically unattractive or however the film may only
inadequately adhere to the respective article.
[0004] WO 97/16754 also discloses a film coated with a mixture of
glass balls and glass fragments. Besides the above-mentioned
disadvantages of a film bearing gems, the glass fragments,
particularly if they project further beyond the surface than the
balls, can entail unpleasant consequences when touching the gems,
insofar as possibly sharp-edged glass fragments can result in
injury.
[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a decorative
element which includes a multitude of gems held by an adhesive
layer and which avoids the above-mentioned disadvantages and
expands the region of use of the above inventions.
[0006] That is achieved by a decorative element according to the
invention having the features of claim 1.
[0007] In the case of a decorative element whose main body is a
flexible cable or a flexible wire-form body or a preferably curved
rod, preferably of circular or polygonal cross-section, fixing of a
film provided with gems is generally impossible or at any event
extremely complicated. Furthermore the additionally applied film
can have an optically unattractive effect and often may only
inadequately adhere. If however an adhesive layer is applied to the
elongate body the gems can be easily directly applied thereto
without the stones having to be individually handled and without
having to use a film-like transfer medium, in which case the film
provided with gems would have to be secured to the elongate body.
Thus the area of use of the films provided with gems is expanded by
the present invention to articles whose cross-sectional periphery
is much less than the longitudinal extent thereof. In that respect
the precise shape of the cross-section itself is not essential and
also does not have to remain the same along the entire longitudinal
extent of the body.
[0008] In one embodiment of the invention the gems are arranged on
a flexible cable comprising a plurality of fibers or a flexible
body in wire form. That cable or that wire can in that case
comprise metal, while a sheath of plastic material can additionally
be provided. Such a body is of a circular cross-section whereby
coating of the body with adhesive and also subsequently
distribution of the gems on the adhesive layer are easily possible.
It can however also be provided that the elongate body is a rod,
and the rod can be curved, whereby the rod can be of circular or
polygonal cross section. Such a body has increased stability, in
contrast to a flexible cable or wire. A decorative element
according to the invention can also be part of a current conducting
device, for example by an adhesive layer and gems being applied to
the surface of a current conduction cable.
[0009] Such a decorative element can be used in many different
ways, possibly in accordance with the arrangement of securing
devices. Examples of the possible use thereof are as a handbag
handle; as a decorative element for sticking to an article of
clothing or a fashion accessory; as an electric cable for example
in relation to lighting devices such as chandeliers; as a hair
extension; or as a decorative cable for balconies, staircase
banisters, door camouflage or steel meshes. It will be appreciated
that a decorative element according to the invention can also be
employed in many other areas.
[0010] Further advantageous configurations of the invention are
defined in the appendant claims and are described in greater detail
hereinafter.
[0011] In a particularly advantageous embodiment the cross-section
of an elongate body according to the invention is substantially
constant over the longitudinal extent, at least in those regions
where the gems are arranged. That is the case for example when the
elongate body is in the form of a cable or bar. It may however also
be provided that the cross-sectional periphery changes over the
longitudinal extent of the elongate body.
[0012] It can be provided that the elongate body is at least
approximately a cylindrical or prismatic body. In that case the
elongate cylindrical body may also only locally be in the shape of
a cylinder. If such an elongate body is made up from metal braids a
perfect round or polygonal cross-section is not at all possible,
but it is in fact possible to approach such a cross-section.
[0013] In regard to an embodiment, a more specific object of the
invention is to generate a glitter effect of the decorative
element, produced by reflecting flat surfaces, without for that
purpose using glass fragments which can cause skin damage upon
being touched.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention that object is
attained in that the predominate part of the gems are in the form
of balls, at least however 5% of the glass elements have flat
boundary surfaces. Particularly advantageous precious stone-like
glitter effects can be achieved in that case if a part of the gems
comprise balls which are preferably ground in facet-like fashion.
To save cost an embodiment of the invention can provide that the
proportion of ground balls is limited to 25% of the gems. It may
also be advantageous if the gems include glass balls (Ballotini)
and faceted-ground glass balls, wherein the facets can be ground to
a point or a double point.
[0015] Additionally or alternatively to ground balls it is also
possible to use parallelepipedic gems, preferably glass stones. In
that respect such parallelepipedic gems can be applied directly to
the elongate body of the decorative element according to the
invention or after the parallelepipedic gems have been ground to a
desired shape.
[0016] Besides or instead of glass elements it is in principle also
possible to use gems of plastic material.
[0017] In an embodiment of the invention it is provided that the
size of the gems and in particular the balls is selected to be
between 0.15 and 3 mm, preferably between 0.15 and 1.5 mm. With
smaller diameters, the individual elements can no longer be
sufficiently seen from the usual distance, while with larger
diameters the mechanical load-bearing capability of the join
between the elements and the adhesive layer is no longer
sufficiently high.
[0018] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the gems
are distributed in surface-coverage relationship on the surface of
the elongate, preferably cylindrical or prismatic body. In that
case it can also be provided that a plurality of layers of gems
according to the invention are held in mutually superposed
relationship by the adhesive layer.
[0019] As it is mentioned in AT 003 268 U1 that, in the case of
gems and in particular glass elements with a non-mirrored rear
side, optically attractive combinational effects can be achieved
between the color of the background and the refraction properties
or the color of the gems, a further embodiment of the invention
provides that the gems include transparent material, in particular
glass, and have a non-mirrored rear side. In that respect it can
further be advantageous for the adhesive to be transparent, whereby
the color of the main body on which the gems and the adhesive layer
are arranged becomes visible. The adhesive however can also be
colored. In addition it may be advantageous for the transparent
gems to be vapor-deposited with a layer which is at least partially
absorbent or generates interference effects, for example by a metal
layer being vapor-deposited at least on parts of the rear side of
the gems. Optically desirable effects are afforded in particular
when a further embodiment of the invention provides that at least
parts of the gems are colored in plan view.
[0020] An embodiment of the invention can provide that the adhesive
includes a reactive polyurethane. Such an adhesive is activated by
way of temperature. Hardening can in that case last for example
several days by way of air humidity. That affords the advantage
that the adhesive can later no longer be activated and a decorative
element according to the invention can also be used without any
problem in the open air and can be exposed to sunlight. In general
however it is also possible to envisage other kinds of adhesive
with a different hardening characteristic, for example adhesives
which can harden under the effect of UV radiation.
[0021] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that a
securing device is arranged at least at one end and preferably at
both ends of the elongate body. For example a carabiner-like
fastener or similar devices for securing purposes can be arranged
at one or both ends of the decorative element, whereby a decorative
element according to the invention can be used for example as an
optically attractive handbag handle.
[0022] The invention further concerns a process for the production
of a decorative element, wherein in a continuous process an
adhesive layer is applied to the elongate, preferably cylindrical
or prismatic body and then the gems are applied to the adhesive
layer. It is particularly advantageous in that respect if the
elongate body is of constant cross-section.
[0023] In that respect in a preferred embodiment of the process of
the invention it is provided that in a two-stage procedure firstly
the adhesive is applied substantially uniformly along the
cross-sectional periphery of the elongate body. In that case the
adhesive can be heated and thereby activated. In that case the
elongate body is continuously further moved along.
[0024] Then in the second stage of the process according to the
invention the gems are also applied as uniformly as possible along
the cross-sectional periphery, which is now provided with an
adhesive layer, of the elongate body. In that case the heated
adhesive can still be fluid. In that way the gems only have to be
introduced into the adhesive without post-fixing being necessary.
It can however be provided that the gems arranged in the adhesive
layer are subsequently adjusted and additionally or alternatively
pressed into the adhesive layer.
[0025] Thereafter the adhesive hardens and the connection between
the gems and the adhesive layer becomes as durable as possible. In
an embodiment of the invention it is provided in that respect that
the process of hardening the adhesive which can include a
thermoplastic polyurethane is effected by way of air humidity. That
can last several days but has the advantage that the adhesive can
no longer be activated. It is however also possible to envisage
other adhesives and other hardening processes.
[0026] It can further be provided that the elongate body is swaged
at at least one of its ends and a securing device is arranged
there, for example in the form of a male screwthread.
[0027] The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter by
means of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing in
which:
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a decorative element
according to the invention,
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the decorative
element shown in FIG. 1,
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic view of a process according to
the invention for the production of a decorative element, and
[0031] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic view of an end of a decorative
element according to the invention with securing device arranged
thereon.
[0032] The diagrammatic view in FIG. 1 shows a decorative element 7
comprising gems which include glass balls 3 and glass balls 4 which
are ground to a faceted configuration and distributed in
surface-coverage relationship on an adhesive layer 2 and are held
thereby, wherein the adhesive layer 2 itself is applied to an
elongate substantially cylindrical body 1 which for example can be
in cable form. The balls 4 ground to a faceted configuration are
ground to a point. In this case the arrangement of the ground balls
4 and the balls 3 does not follow any pattern but is random, and
likewise the orientation thereof on the adhesive layer 2.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the decorative
element 7 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1. It can again
be seen that the ground balls 4 and the glass balls 3 are
irregularly distributed but are held in surface-coverage
relationship along the cross-sectional periphery of the body 1 in
cable form, by an adhesive layer 2. The orientation of the balls 3
and the ground balls 4 on the cable body 1 is also not
predetermined in that case. By virtue of the multitude of secured
gems however the direction in which the points of the balls 4 which
are ground to a point face is immaterial. By virtue of the random
distribution of the gems, the result is approximately uniform
distribution, thereby producing the desired glitter effect for the
decorative element 7.
[0034] FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows a process according to the
invention for the production of a decorative element 7. The main
body 1 in cable form which is shown in cross-section is in this
case moved continuously in the direction of the arrow. In an
apparatus 5 in hopper form (also shown in cross-section) firstly
the adhesive 2 which for example can include a reactive
polyurethane is applied uniformly along the cross-sectional
configuration of the cable body 1. Then in the second stage of the
process according to the invention the ground balls 4 and the balls
3 are applied to the cable body 1 provided with an adhesive layer
2. In that case the balls 3 and the ground balls 4 are in their
desired relationship, but are otherwise randomly distributed in an
apparatus 6 in hopper form (also shown in cross-section).
[0035] FIG. 4 shows an end of a decorative element 7 according to
the invention, the gems themselves not being shown for the sake of
enhanced clarity. The elongate body 1 in the form of a cable has in
this case a per se known cable swaging 8, on which a securing
device 9 in the form of a male screwthread is arranged. As a result
the decorative element 7 can be used in many different ways, for
example as a handbag handle.
[0036] It will be appreciated that the decorative element according
to the invention and the associated process according to the
invention are not restricted to the embodiments illustrated in the
Figures or the listed examples of use nor are they to be limited
thereby. The invention extends to all technical equivalents which
can be derived from the teaching according to the invention.
* * * * *