U.S. patent application number 13/184891 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for decorative shredded material.
Invention is credited to Sonny K. Burnside, Donald E. Weder.
Application Number | 20110272324 13/184891 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21913828 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110272324 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weder; Donald E. ; et
al. |
November 10, 2011 |
DECORATIVE SHREDDED MATERIAL
Abstract
A decorative shredded material having a complete pattern
contained on each strip or piece of the decorative shredded
material is disclosed, as well as methods for making decorative
shredded material.
Inventors: |
Weder; Donald E.; (Highland,
IL) ; Burnside; Sonny K.; (Highland, IL) |
Family ID: |
21913828 |
Appl. No.: |
13/184891 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12876626 |
Sep 7, 2010 |
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13184891 |
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11978287 |
Oct 29, 2007 |
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12876626 |
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11129871 |
May 16, 2005 |
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11978287 |
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10316818 |
Dec 10, 2002 |
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11129871 |
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09637828 |
Aug 11, 2000 |
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10316818 |
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09040940 |
Mar 18, 1998 |
6258447 |
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09637828 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/584 ;
53/474 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/15 20150115;
Y10T 428/24802 20150115; B44F 1/10 20130101; Y10T 83/04 20150401;
Y10T 428/2481 20150115; B26D 11/00 20130101; Y10T 83/0524 20150401;
B26F 1/3813 20130101; B26D 1/035 20130101; B32B 23/02 20130101;
B32B 27/32 20130101; Y10T 428/24777 20150115; B44C 1/10 20130101;
B44C 5/00 20130101; B65D 85/505 20130101; B44F 3/00 20130101; B26D
1/045 20130101; Y10T 428/24934 20150115; Y10T 428/2486 20150115;
Y10T 428/24901 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/584 ;
53/474 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/02 20060101
B65D081/02; B65B 55/00 20060101 B65B055/00 |
Claims
1. A package comprising: a decorative shredded material comprising
a plurality of decorative strips, said strips formed from a sheet
of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer
periphery, a first axis and a second axis, the sheet of material
having a decorative pattern disposed on a portion of at least one
of the upper and lower surfaces thereof and oriented along the
first and second axes of the sheet of material so that the
decorative pattern is contained within a specified, predetermined
area on the sheet of material such that when the sheet of material
is shredded into the decorative shredded material, substantially
only a predetermined complete decorative pattern is contained on
each decorative strip and wherein each decorative strip is
substantially free of incomplete, irregular, unclear or cut-apart
decorative patterns; and an item disposed on or in the decorative
shredded material.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein decorative pattern is provided
by at least one of printing, embossing and etching.
3. The package of claim 1, wherein a bonding material is disposed
on at least a portion of the plurality of decorative strips.
4. The package of claim 1, wherein the decorative shredded material
is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting
of paper, foil, polymer film, fabric, fiber, burlap, cloth, and any
combination thereof.
5. The package of claim 1, wherein the first and second axes are
oriented along a 90 degree angle with respect to one another.
6. The package of claim 5, wherein the first axis is further
defined as a length of the sheet of material.
7. The package of claim 6, wherein the second axis is further
defined as a width of the sheet of material.
8. A method of providing a package, the method comprising the steps
of: providing a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower
surface, an outer periphery, a first axis and a second axis, the
sheet of material having a decorative pattern disposed on a portion
of at least one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof and
oriented along the first and second axes of the sheet of material
so that the decorative pattern is contained within a specified,
predetermined area on the sheet of material; shredding the sheet of
material into a plurality of decorative strips of decorative
shredded material, wherein substantially only a predetermined
complete decorative pattern is contained on each decorative strip
and wherein each decorative strip is substantially free of
incomplete, irregular, unclear or cut-apart decorative patterns;
and disposing an item on or in at least a portion of the decorative
shredded material.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein decorative pattern is provided by
at least one of printing, embossing and etching.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein a bonding material is disposed
on at least a portion of the plurality of decorative strips.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the sheet of material from which
the decorative shredded material is formed is constructed from a
material selected from the group consisting of paper, foil, polymer
film, fabric, fiber, burlap, cloth, and any combination
thereof.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein, in the step of providing a sheet
of material, the first and second axes are oriented along a 90
degree angle with respect to one another.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first axis is further
defined as a length of the sheet of material.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second axis is further
defined as a width of the sheet of material.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
12/876,626, filed Sep. 7, 2010, now abandoned; which is a
continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/978,287, filed Oct. 29, 2007, now
abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/129,871,
filed May 16, 2005, now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S.
Ser. No. 10/316,818, filed Dec. 10, 2002, now abandoned; which is a
continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/637,828, filed Aug. 11, 2000, now
abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/040,940,
filed Mar. 18, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,447, issued Jul. 10,
2001. The entire contents of each of the above-referenced
applications are expressly incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED AND CLAIMED INVENTIVE
CONCEPT(S)
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s)
relates to decorative material and, particularly, decorative
shredded material and the methods of creating such a material.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information
Disclosed Under 37 CFR .sctn.1.97 and 37 CFR .sctn.1.98
[0006] Sheets of material have been cut to form shredded material,
first for packing purposes, later for decorative purposes. One
decorative shredded material, a decorative grass formed from
shredded plastic sheets, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,627. A
process for forming plastic sheets into a decorative grass is shown
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,266. Compositions for forming a decorative
grass, as well as pigments used to color such a grass, are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,700, U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,614 and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,908.
[0007] The prior art discloses using sheets of material to shred
into shredded material, and various ways to provide an overall
color to each sheet of material before it is shredded. The prior
art does not disclose a sheet of material having specific patterns
thereon provided in specific locations prior to shredding or
flaking. The prior art does not reveal shredding such a
pre-patterned sheet of material having specific patterns thereon in
a manner which permits the retention of the substantially complete
pattern on each strip or piece which is shredded.
[0008] There is a need in the art for a sheet of material having
specific patterns aligned in such a manner that the sheet may be
shredded and each shredded piece or strip of material will retain
the substantially complete pattern, thereby providing a new
decorative shredded material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sheet of material
constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed
inventive concept(s), showing a plurality of patterns disposed on
an upper surface thereof, each of the plurality of patterns
oriented on the sheet of material both horizontally and vertically.
A corner is lifted showing a lower surface of the sheet of material
for illustration purposes only.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the upper surface of the first
sheet of material constructed in accordance with the presently
disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of sheets of
material constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and
claimed inventive concept(s) forming a continuous roll of sheets,
the roll partially unrolled to reveal at least one sheet of
material.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pad having a plurality of
sheets of material constructed in accordance with the presently
disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s), showing an edge of the
top sheet lifted, exposing the next sheet for illustration purposes
only.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a roll of sheets of material
constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed
inventive concept(s), showing a plurality of knife edges being
actuated by an actuator into a first shredding direction to cut at
least a portion of the roll of sheets of material into elongated
decorative strips.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a roll of sheets of material
constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed
inventive concept(s), showing plurality of knife edges being
actuated by an actuator into the first shredding direction and a
second cutting direction to cut the elongated decorative strips
into smaller decorative elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED AND CLAIMED
INVENTIVE CONCEPT(S)
[0015] The decorative shredded material comprises a sheet of
material having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer
periphery. The sheet of material has a plurality of patterns on at
least one surface, and each pattern of the plurality of patterns is
oriented along more than one axis. When the sheet of material is
shredded into a plurality of decorative strips, at least one
complete pattern of the plurality of patterns is contained on each
of the plurality of decorative strips.
[0016] Alternatively, the decorative shredded material comprises a
sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and an
outer periphery. The sheet of material has a plurality of patterns
on at least one surface, and each pattern of the plurality of
patterns is oriented along more than one axis. When the sheet of
material is shredded into a plurality of decorative elements, at
least one complete pattern of the plurality of patterns is
contained on each of the plurality of decorative elements.
[0017] In a method for providing a decorative shredded material,
the method comprises providing a sheet of material having an upper
surface, a lower surface and an outer periphery. The sheet of
material has a plurality of patterns on at least one surface, each
pattern of the plurality of patterns oriented along more than one
axis. The method also comprises cutting the sheet of material into
a plurality of decorative strips, wherein at least one complete
pattern of the plurality of patterns is contained on each of the
plurality of decorative strips.
[0018] In an alternative method for providing a decorative shredded
material, the method comprises providing a sheet of material having
an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer periphery, the sheet
of material having a plurality of patterns on at least one surface,
each pattern of the plurality of patterns oriented along more than
one axis. The method also comprises cutting the sheet of material
into a plurality of decorative elements, wherein at least one
complete pattern of the plurality of patterns is contained on each
of the plurality of decorative elements.
The Embodiments of FIGS. 1-2
[0019] Decorative shredded material is frequently used as confetti,
decorative grasses, tinsel, and the like (such decorative shredded
material also being called "filamentary portions"), and is used to
surround other items in various types of gift packages.
[0020] These decorative shredded materials are often provided as a
plurality of strips of a solid color. Alternatively, these
decorative shredded materials are often provided as a plurality of
strips of multi-color material, or material having a pattern
thereon. If a pattern is contained on the unshredded material, the
material, when shredded, has components of the pattern, but not a
total pattern contained within each strip of material.
[0021] The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s)
contemplates a decorative shredded material formed from a material
having a printed pattern thereon, the pattern arranged so that,
when the material is shredded into a plurality of discreet,
separate strips, the complete pattern is contained upon each strip
of the decorative shredded material. In this manner, interesting
patterns are formed and contained within each strip, as opposed to
irregular, unclear and cut-apart patterns which would occur when a
patterned sheet of material was shredded into strips.
[0022] An objective of the presently disclosed and claimed
inventive concept(s) is to provide a decorative shredded material
formed from a sheet of material which, when shredded into specific
strips, forms decorative strips in which each strip contains a
specific, complete pattern thereon.
[0023] A goal of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s) is to also provide a decorative shredded material formed
from a sheet of material which, when shredded into specific small
pieces, forms decorative pieces ("decorative elements") in which
each decorative piece contains a specific, complete pattern.
[0024] Turning now to the Figures, shown in FIGS. 1-2 and
designated therein by the general reference numeral 10 is sheet of
material. The sheet of material 10 has an upper surface 12, a lower
surface 14, and an outer periphery 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
the outer periphery 16 further comprises a first side 18, a second
side 20, a third side 22 and a fourth side 24.
[0025] The sheet of material has printed and/or disposed on at
least one surface a pattern 25. "Pattern" as used herein, means any
geometric shape, non-geometric shape, asymmetric shape, and/or
combination of shapes, which is printed or disposed via any manner
known in the art on the sheet of material 10. The pattern 25 is
usually oriented along two axes, such as, but not by way of
limitation, along the length of the sheet of material 10 and along
the width of the sheet of material 10 such that, when the sheet of
material 10 is shredded into a decorative shredded material, the
entire pattern is contained on each strip or each piece of the
shredded sheet of material 10. These two axes are designated on
FIGS. 1-2 as the "a axis" and the "b axis" which, in this example,
but not by way of limitation, are formed at a ninety degree (90%)
angle with respect to each other, and apply to all Figures shown
herein. It will be appreciated, however, that in other embodiments
there may be an additional axis and/or axes, each having different
positions relative to each other.
[0026] Guidelines (not shown) may also be included on the sheet of
material 10. Guidelines may be used to define the area on the sheet
of material to be cut, so that the sheet of material may be
shredded into separate strips or pieces without cutting
substantially into any portion of a pattern 25 printed on each
strip or piece of the sheet of material 10.
[0027] The pattern 25 is oriented, as noted above, along two or
more axes so that the pattern 25 is contained within the specified,
pre-determined area on each portion of the sheet of material 10. In
this manner, the complete pattern 25 is retained on each strip and
each piece of decorative shredded material. In addition, no
substantial additional portion of any pattern 25 on the sheet of
material is included with the primary pattern 25. In this manner,
each strip or piece of the decorative shredded material has only
the predetermined pattern 25 thereon.
[0028] A bonding material 26 may, optionally, be disposed on the
sheet of material 10, on either the upper surface 12, the lower
surface 14, or both surfaces. Alternatively, however, the sheet of
material 10 may be free of a bonding material 26. As illustrated in
FIG. 1, the bonding material 26, if present, is often disposed on
the upper surface 12 of the sheet of material 10. The bonding
material 26 may also be disposed in a strip of bonding material 26,
although the bonding material 26 also could be applied to a surface
of the sheet of material 10 in the form of spaced apart spots, or
the bonding material 26 may be disposed on one or more surfaces of
the sheet of material 10 in any geometric shape, non-geometric
and/or asymmetric shape, or any combination thereof, including any
pattern or plurality of patterns. Further, the bonding material 26
may form at least a part, or, alternatively, all of the pattern 25
on each strip of material. In this instance, the bonding material
26 may comprise one or more colors; the bonding material 26 may
comprise one or more patterns 25 as well, as described above.
[0029] Turning now to the characteristics of the sheet of material
10 used to form the decorative shredded material, the sheet of
material 10 has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about
20 mil. Often, the sheet of material 10 has a thickness in a range
from about 0.2 mil to about 10 mil. The sheet of material 10 also
often has a thickness in a range from about 0.2 mil to about 3.5
mil. In some embodiments, the sheet of material 10 has a thickness
in a range from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mil. In other
embodiments, the sheet of material has a thickness in a range from
about 0.4 mil to about 1.0 mil. The sheet of material 10 is
constructed of a material which is at least somewhat flexible.
[0030] The sheet of material 10 may comprise any shape or
combination of shapes, and a rectangular shape is shown in FIG. 1
only by way of example. The sheet of material 10 for example may be
square, rectangular, circular or any other geometric,
non-geometric, asymmetric or fanciful shape. The sheet of material
10 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality
of layers of the same or different types of materials. The layers
of material comprising the sheet of material 10 may be laminated
together or connected together by any method known in the art.
[0031] In one embodiment, the sheet of material 10 is a thin,
flexible material constructed from a paper. Alternatively, a
plastic film may be utilized alone or in combination with other
sheets of material described herein. Such a plastic film (Hercules
8523 oriented polypropylene packaging film (clear)), is available
from Hercules Incorporated, Hercules Plaza, Wilmington, Del. 19894.
Such sheets of material may be laminated together or may be
connected together by any method known in the art, or may remain
partially or completely unconnected.
[0032] The sheet of material 10 shown in FIG. 1 is constructed from
any suitable material that is capable of being both printed on and
being shredded. The sheet of material 10 must be capable of being
shredded without any substantial tearing or degradation by either
process (printing and/or shredding). Further, the sheet of material
10 must be capable of being shredded into decorative shredded
material, such as, but not by way of limitation, confetti,
decorative grass, tinsel, glitter, flakes, and the like.
[0033] As described above, the sheet of material 10 often comprises
paper (the term "paper" as used herein means treated or untreated
paper, corrugated paper or cardboard or any other form of paper
material). The sheet of material 10 may comprise cellophane, foil,
plastic film, metallized film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or
synthetic or natural), fiber, burlap, or any combination
thereof.
[0034] The term "plastic film" as used herein means a
thermo-plastic resinous material, such as, but not by way of
limitation, a man-made polymer such as, but not by way of
limitation, a polypropylene. The term "plastic film" as used herein
also means a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane. A
plastic film, as contemplated and described in detail herein, is
relatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantially
non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil.
[0035] The sheet of material 10 has a length 28 extending between
the first and second sides 18 and 20 of the sheet of material 10.
The sheet of material 10 also has a width 30 extending between the
third and fourth sides 22 and 24 of the sheet of material 10.
[0036] The sheet of material 10 may be constructed of a single
layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different
types of materials. One or more sheets of material are laminated or
bonded together, completely or partially, by any method known in
the art, so long as the end result is a sheet of material 10 having
the ability to both sustain a printed pattern 25 thereon and to be
shredded into decorative shredded strips of material. It will
therefore be appreciated that multiple sheets of material 10 may be
used. Moreover, when multiple sheets of material 10 are used, the
sheets of material 10 need not be uniform in size or shape. That
is, one sheet may extend beyond at least a portion of the outer
periphery of another sheet of material.
[0037] As noted earlier, a bonding material 26 may be disposed on
the sheet of material 10, in any pattern or shape. One method for
disposing a bonding material, in this case an adhesive, on a sheet
of material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637 entitled
"Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping" issued to Weder et al., on
May 12, 1992 and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Another method for disposing a bonding material in order to
laminate two sheets of material is described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,297,811 entitled "Laminated Printed Foil Flower Pot Wrap With
Multicolor Appearance", issued to Weder on Nov. 3, 1981, which is
also hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0038] The term "bonding material" when used herein means an
adhesive, possibly a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive.
Where the bonding material is a cohesive, a similar cohesive
material must be placed on the adjacent surface for bondingly
contacting and bondingly engaging with the cohesive material. The
term "bonding material" also includes materials which are heat
sealable and, in this instance, the adjacent portions of the
material must be brought into contact and then heat must be applied
to effect the seal. The term "bonding material" when used herein
also means a lacquer, which may be applied to the sheet of material
and, in this instance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, also must
be applied to effect the sealing of the lacquer.
[0039] The sheet of material 10 consists of designs or decorative
patterns 25 which are printed, etched, and/or embossed thereon
using inks or other printing materials. An example of an ink which
may be applied to either surface of the sheet of material 10 is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,706 entitled "Water Based Ink On
Foil And/Or Synthetic Organic Polymer" issued to Kingman on Sep.
15, 1992 and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In
addition, the sheet of material 10 may have various colorings,
coatings, embossings, flockings and/or metallic finishes, or other
decorative surface ornamentation applied separately or
simultaneously. The sheet of material 10 may be characterized
totally or partially, but not by way of limitation, by pearlescent,
translucent, transparent, iridescent, neon, holographic, or the
like, qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur
alone or in combination with other characteristics described
herein, and may be applied to the upper surface 12 and/or lower
surface 14 of the sheet of material 10. Moreover, each surface of
the sheet of material 10 may vary in the combination of such
characteristics. The sheet of material 10 may also be partially or
completely opaque, translucent, clear and/or tinted
transparent.
Embodiment of FIG. 3
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 3, a plurality of individual sheets of
material 10a are connected linearly together to form a roll 32. The
plurality of sheets of material 10a in the roll 32 may be connected
together by perforations (not shown). Such a roll 32 permits one
sheet of material 10a to be withdrawn from the roll 32, then
severed or disconnected from the roll 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the
roll 32 is often formed as a continuous roll 32 of sheets of
material 10a, wherein a plurality of sheets of material 10a may be
removed from the roll 32 by unrolling a portion of the roll 32, and
using a separate cutting element (not shown) to sever the unrolled
portion of the roll 32 of material (not shown). The roll 32 may
also be contained within any type of dispenser (not shown). When
the roll 32 is disposed in a dispenser, a portion of the material
is again unrolled, and a cutting edge (not shown) contained within
the dispenser, or a separate cutting element (not shown), severs
the unrolled portion of the material.
[0041] Any number of sheets of material 10a may form a roll 32 as
long as it is possible to unroll the material into at least one
sheet of material 10a and shred the sheet of material 10a into
decorative shredded material, as described below.
Embodiments of FIG. 4
[0042] Shown in FIG. 4 is a modified sheet of material 10b which is
identical to the sheet of material 10 shown in FIGS. 1-2 and
described in detail previously, except that the sheet of material
10b is formed into sheets of material 10b which are stacked and
aligned, generally, but not by way of limitation, one on top of the
other to form a pad 34 of sheets of material 10b.
[0043] The pad 34 comprises a top sheet 36 having a next sheet 38
disposed directly thereunder, with additional sheets of material
10b disposed under the next sheet 38, all sheets of material 10b
collectively forming the pad 34 of sheets of material 10b (one edge
of the top sheet 36 lifted for illustration purposes only). The
sheets of material 10b are generally aligned, and may optionally,
but not by way of limitation, be connected together via a bonding
material (not shown), such as, but not by way of limitation, a
pressure sensitive adhesive.
Embodiments and Methods of FIG. 5
[0044] Shown in FIG. 5 is a modified roll 32c of sheets of material
10c. The roll 32c of sheets of material 10c is constructed exactly
like the roll 32 of sheets of material 10a described before, except
the roll 32c is supported on a generally mounted shaft 40. At least
one sheet of material 10c is withdrawn from the roll 32c via a
leading edge 42 until a predetermined length of the sheet of
material 10c has been withdrawn from the roll 32c. In this
position, a portion of the sheet of material 10c is disposed under
a plurality of knife edges 44 (only one of the pluralities of knife
edges designated by the numeral 44). The plurality of knife edges
44 are connected to an actuator 46 adapted to move the plurality of
knife edges 44 into an engagement position 47 with the sheet of
material 10c. In the engagement position 47, the actuator 46 moves
the plurality of knife edges 44 in a first shredding direction 48
to produce a plurality of elongated decorative strips 52 from the
sheet of material 10c. The actuator 46 also moves the plurality of
knife edges 44 in a second cutting direction 50, so that each of
the elongated decorative strips 52 may be severed from the sheet of
material 10c. When the predetermined length of the sheet of
material 10c has been withdrawn from the roll 32c, the actuator 46
actuates to move the plurality of knife edges 44 in the first
shredding direction 48 to a position wherein the knife edge 44
cuttingly and severingly engages the sheet of material 10c to
shreddingly cut a plurality of elongated decorative strips 52 of
the sheet of material 10c and to sever the plurality of elongated
strips 52 from the sheet of material 10c.
[0045] It will be appreciated, as shown in FIG. 5, that the pattern
25c on the sheet of material 10c is specifically printed, and the
printing is spaced apart upon the sheet of material 10c and is
adapted and formed to extend down each decorative strip 52. That
is, the pattern 25c is oriented primarily upon at least, but not by
way of limitation, one axis, and usually two or more axes, which
permits the pattern 25c, in its entirety, to be contained on each
decorative strip 52, with no overlap of an adjoining pattern 25c on
each decorative strip 52, each decorative strip 52 containing only
the pattern 25c provided on the sheet of material 10c for that
decorative strip 52, and each decorative strip 52 containing the
complete pattern 25c, without any loss of the pattern 25c. The
pattern 25c conforms to the narrow decorative strip 52, so that
each of the plurality of knife edges 44 cuts the sheet of material
10c in a location that does not contain the pattern 25c. In this
manner, the pattern 25c remains intact and whole upon each
decorative strip 52, as illustrated in FIG. 5.
Embodiments and Methods of FIG. 6
[0046] Shown in FIG. 6 is a modified roll 32d of sheets of material
10d. The roll 32d of sheets of material 10d is constructed exactly
like the roll 32 and 32c of sheets of material 10a and 10c
described previously, except that the sheets of material 10d have a
pattern 25d comprising a plurality of hearts design printed
thereon, the design being aligned along both the a axis and the b
axis such that each of the plurality of hearts is capable of being
contained on a small piece of the sheet of material 10d after the
sheet of material 10d is severed into a plurality of small pieces.
The sheet of material 10d is supported on a generally mounted shaft
40d. At least one sheet of material 10d is withdrawn from the roll
32d via a leading edge 42d (not shown) until a predetermined length
of the sheet of material 10d has been withdrawn from the roll 32d.
In this position, a portion of the sheet of material 10d is
disposed under a plurality of knife edges 44d as described above.
The plurality of knife edges 44d are connected to an actuator 46d
adapted to move the plurality of knife edges 44d into an engagement
position 47d with the sheet of material 10d. In the engagement
position 47d, the actuator 46d moves the plurality of knife edges
44d in a first shredding direction 48d to produce a plurality of
short strips 53 (only one of the plurality being referenced by the
numeral "53") from the sheet of material 10d. The actuator 46d then
turns the plurality of knife edges 44d into to a second cutting
direction 50d wherein the plurality of knife edges 44d which first
cut the plurality of short strips 53 via the first shredding
direction 48d now cuttingly and severingly re-engages the plurality
of short strips 53 to cut the plurality of short strips 53 into
small pieces. In this second cutting direction 50d, as described,
the plurality of short strips 53 are further severed into small
pieces, for use as, but not by way of limitation, confetti, and the
like, for example. These small pieces are collectively referred to
herein as "decorative elements" and are designated by the numeral
54.
[0047] When the sheet of material 10d is shredded into a plurality
of decorative elements 54, it will be appreciated that the pattern
25d formed on the sheet of material 10d, such as, by not by way of
limitation, the plurality of hearts pattern 25d shown on the sheet
of material 10d, is formed to accommodate such a formation of a
plurality of decorative elements 54 via shredding and cutting. That
is, the pattern 25d will be oriented on the sheet of material 10d
on two or more axes such that none of the pattern 25d is lost in
the cutting process, and that the entire pattern is substantially
contained on each decorative element 54, as shown in FIG. 6. In
addition, such an orientation of the pattern 25d permits only the
one, intended pattern 25d on each decorative element 54.
[0048] It will be appreciated that, rather than a roll 32 of sheets
of material 10, a pad (not shown) of sheets of material 10 also
could be provided, and that the actuator 46 and the plurality of
knifed edges 44 could be adapted such that the pad of sheets of
material 10 could be cut thereby forming decorative strips 52
and/or decorative elements 54, as illustrated herein and described
in detail.
[0049] It will also be appreciated that when either decorative
strips 52 or decorative elements 54 are formed from a pad (not
shown), the pattern 25 contained on the plurality of sheets of
material 10 contained within the pad 34 will be maintained, as
described previously, on either the decorative strips 52 or the
decorative elements 54.
[0050] It will be understood that the mechanical process of forming
such decorative strips 52 or decorative elements 54 is represented
only schematically in the drawings. The actuator 46 may comprise a
hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or a motor and gear arrangement or
any other form of arrangement suitable for moving the plurality of
knife edges 44 in the first shredding direction 48 and/or the
second cutting direction 50. After the knife edge 44 has cuttingly
severed the desired portion of the sheet of material 10 from the
roll 32 or a pad 34 (not shown), the actuator 46 is actuated to
move the plurality of knife edges 44 in a storage direction (not
shown) to a storage position (not shown). Alternatively, the
leading edge 42 may be directed across a first plurality of knife
edges 44 (not shown) set in the surface to form the decorative
strips 52, wherein the actuator 46 actuates a second plurality of
knife edges 44 (not shown) to cross-cut the elongated decorative
strips 52 into decorative elements 54 (not shown). Apparatus and
methods for making decorative shredded materials and the like is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,388, entitled, "Apparatus For
Producing Weighed Charges Of Loosely Aggregated Filamentary
Material", issued to Weder et al. on Mar. 3, 1987, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein. Another process for forming
decorative shredded material into decorative grass is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,266, entitled, "Process For Making Decorative
Grass", issued to Weder et al. on Sep. 29, 1981, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein. Yet another decorative grass is
shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,627, entitled,
"Decorative Grass", issued to Weder et al. on Apr. 22, 1980, which
is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Compositions used for
forming decorative grass are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,401,700,
4,496,614 and 4,549,908, entitled, collectively, "Composition For
Decorative Grass", issued to Weder et al. on Aug. 30, 1983, Jan.
29, 1985, and Oct. 29, 1985, respectively, all of which are hereby
incorporated by reference herein.
[0051] Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of
the various components, elements and assemblies described herein or
in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described
herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently
disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) as defined in the
following claims.
* * * * *