Abstract: An improved material for forming vehicle trim panels includes natural fibers formed reinforcing mats. The natural fibers replaced the prior known use of glass fibers. Prior art glass fibers may sometimes cause skin irritation, and the natural fiber eliminates this problem. The fibrous mats are preferably placed on both sides of the central foam layer, and a decorative layer is placed outwardly of one of the fibrous mats. Various naturally occurring fibrous materials such as hemp may be utilized.

Abstract: A sponge is provided which completely surrounds and envelopes a wall mounted soap bar holder or dish. The sponge has a top portion with a shaped aperture or depression to receive a bar of soap of a generally similar shape. The sponge also includes an opening or aperture on one of its sides which would receive the cantilevered element or tongue of the soap dish. The opening may extend up to and including the length of the side of the sponge in order to accommodate a similarly sized wall mounted soap bar holder. The opening would extend or penetrate through a portion of the sponge to fully enclose the wall mounted soap bar dish's cantilevered element. The sponge may be provided in any shape, and preferably may have the appearance of a geometric shape, seashell or other animal. The sponge may appear in any color. The sponge material may be provided in a range of porosities depending on size and application.

Abstract: A method of forming an intermittent stabilized length of a coextruded trim strip product. The method includes coextruding two strips of a thermoplastic material around intermittent sections of a stabilizing insert by a split extrusion die and forming rolls. A cutter cuts the trim strip product between the intermittent stabilizing sections so as to define trim strip products having ends without stabilizing inserts.

Abstract: A plastic cloisonne article and method of making same is provided. The plastic cloisonne article includes a plastic substrate which can be pre-molded into a fixed shape, a framework of metal wire for forming a design on the plastic substrate, one or more colored glazes, and a clear glaze which covers the outer surfaces of the colored glazed plastic substrate. The plastic substrate is preferably comprised of a high density polystyrene, polyprophylene, polyurethane or polyethylene which has a high melting point and is sufficiently rigid to withstand the temperature of firing. The plastic cloisonne article can be formed into such shapes which include, but are not limited to, ornaments, Christmas ornaments, boxes, vases, picture frames, coasters, etc.

Abstract: A decorative bow is formed of six discrete pieces of ribbon, including a first piece formed into a loop, second and third pieces each formed into a respective bow loop and gathered, a fourth piece of ribbon gathered but not formed into a loop, and fifth and sixth pieces both respectively gathered and folded to form angled drape members. A fastener inserted through the loop formed by the first piece of ribbon is twisted to secure together all six pieces of ribbon. A mounting rod secured to the decorative bow includes attachment tabs at respective ends of the mounting rod.

Abstract: A coloration area is provided at least on a surface of a main body whose main constituent is wax. The coloration area is constituted with a coloring constituent which, in turn, has photosensitivity whereby after being irradiated with light, coloration occurs in a state in which there is no light. The coloration area is constituted with a film coated on the surface of the main body, and the film contains the coloring constituent.

Abstract: A plant material is preserved by immersing a cross sectional surface of a severed stem, stalk, trunk or vine of a plant material into a preservative solution. The preservative solution can include a suitable dye. The plant material remains intertwined with its trellis, lattice or similar support during a preservation process. Alternatively, the plant material remains in a natural configuration during the preservation process. Also alternatively, the plant material also remains in a natural orientation during the preservation process. The cut stem, stalk, trunk or vine can be immersed in a container of preservative solution, at or near the time the stem, stalk, trunk or vine is severed. The cut stem stalk, trunk or vine of the plant can also be tied to a container of preservative solution. A rain shroud can also be placed over the container of preservative solution that contains the severed stem, stalk, trunk or vine of the severed plant, to protect the preservative solution during the preservation process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illusion device for amusement and entertainment purposes. The invention is more specifically suited to an illusion device which seems to the observer to produce a shimmering bubble floating in free space with no visible means of support or motivation. The invention includes novel sculptural cage design of commercially available silver diffraction grating MYLAR and a novel arrangement for electrically rotating it within a sealed transparent case for the purpose of creating the illusion of a floating transparent bubble which changes in shape and scintillates with color.

Abstract: A honeycomb core or honeycomb structure 1 is made up of an arrangement of hollow cylindrical cells individually separated by cell walls made of base sheets 4. Each base sheet is a complex mixture of para-aramid fibers 2 and meta-aramid pulp material. The para-aramid fibers 2 occupy a weight percentage of from not less than 20% to less than 50% The honeycomb core is made by either the expanding method of the steps of stacking a plurality of base sheets 4, applying stripes of adhesive and then extending the stack or by the corrugating method of the steps of corrugating respective base sheets, stacking and bonding the corrugated sheets. If desired, after-treatment for reinforcement may be executed to apply or impregnating phenolic resin or other impregnating agent.

Abstract: A method for molding a sheet blow molding, wherein a board member as a core of the sheet blow molding is placed between a pair of thermoplastic sheets facing each other and separated by a predetermined distance. Opposite ends of the sheets are clamped by dampers so as to form clamped sheets with a closed space between the clamped sheets. The clamped sheets are heated by a heater and air is supplied to the closed space. The clamped sheets are pressed between molds so as to cover all outer surfaces of the board member and to be thermally bonded to the board member.

Abstract: An ornament display device and wreath insert is inserted into the center of a wreath and provides a flat surface for displaying objects. The display device comprises a plurality of prongs each having at least one serration, with each prong adapted to contact the wreath core and establish an interference fit sufficient to hold the support in position without tipping around the core. A platform of a predetermined configuration, e.g., concave shaped ends, helps to secure the platform within the center of a wreath. A placard displays a message or other decorative graphic and is shaped to substantially hide the platform and the prongs.

Abstract: A decorative device is disclosed having a pair of ties and a plurality of individual decorative elements including a primary component joining the ties intermediate their ends with the remaining elements being independently movable along their respective tie relative to the primary element to be gathered into adjacent relation to one another, trailing ends of the ties being attachable to one another, forming an assembled ornamental object.

Abstract: A method of assembling a metal or decorative strip to a body side molding of a vehicle. The method includes forming a bodyside molding by extrusion, injection molding or another plastic forming process to a desirable cross-sectional configuration having a show side opening. The strip is shaped by forming and end punching the metal strip to a desirable shape and configuration. The formed metal strip and the bodyside molding are then placed in suitable fixtures in proximity to one another, and to a heat staking tool. The heat staking tool picks up the metal strip from the fixture such that the strip is heated. The heat staking tool then forces the heated metal strip into the opening in the bodyside molding under suitable pressure such that the metal strip melts the molding and the edges of the metal strip are embedded within the molding.

Abstract: An artificial log assembly is disclosed. The artificial log assembly includes first and second concrete portions and a ceramic portion disposed between the first and second concrete portions. The concrete portions are easily and economically formed to an appearance of natural firewood, and the ceramic portion provides a "glowing effect" of burning embers when heated. Also disclosed is a log assembly system utilizing dual gas burners of different flame temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sign, preferably a registration sign for vehicles, which sign (2) includes a portion or member (16) consisting of a portion of a film web (6) or of a row of separate film portions, whereby said portion (16) is provided with information (3), preferably registration symbols or characters for vehicles, while toner material (25) has been applied thereon by electronically variable application in an electronic printer. For being able to manufacture this sign at low costs and by means of a simple manufacturing method, the toner material is applied on a surface of said portion (16), preferably a surface (23) reflecting light from headlamps, by means of an electronic printer in the form of an ionographic printer (24) wherein the toner material is fixed on the surface of said portion (16) with pressure by a cold pressure and fixing method. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A decorative window consists of thick transparent plastic resin layer laminated to a sheet of glass. The outer surface of resin layer includes decorative features, such as deeply contoured pictographic images and finely detailed textured surfaces. The decorative window is produced as replica of a glass master originally made using conventional grinding and surface finishing techniques. The master is then covered with a mixture of silicone, catalysts for curing the silicone, and a light oil to form a mold. After curing, the mold is removed from the glass master, inverted and a glass sheet, which has been prepared for the process by being coated with organosilane ester, is clamped thereto. The mold cavity is then filled with a mixture of a clear plastic resin, catalysts for curing the resin, and organosilane ester. After curing, the replicated decorative window is removed from the mold.

Abstract: A bumper of synthetic resin for use in an automobile includes a core, and an outer layer covering the core. The material for forming the core includes a main component produced by pulverizing a recovered bumper which has been formed using a polyolefin-based resin composition modified by an olefinic elastomer and which has a thermosetting synthetic resin coating film on its surface, and a polyethylene added to the main component. The material for forming the outer layer includes the polyolefin-based resin composition modified by the olefinic elastomer and the polyethylene in a content A.sub.2 which is smaller than a content A.sub.1 of the polyethylene in the core forming material (A.sub.2 <A.sub.1). The impact resistance of the core is enhanced with the addition of the polyethylene, despite the inclusion of the coating film particles. The outer layer is excellent in heat resisting characteristic, because of a smaller content of the polyethylene.

Abstract: A plurality of building members and a plurality of sheet members for connection thereof are provided. Each of the plurality of building members includes a main body portion and a coupling portion to be fitted on an end of the main body portion. One of the ends of the main body portion and the coupling portion is provided with a small diameter portion and the other of them is provided with a hole for receiving the small diameter portion. Each of the sheet members has a plurality of openings for passing the small diameter portion therethrough. The small diameter portion is passed through the opening of the sheet member and inserted into the hole to sandwich the coupling sheet member between the main body portion and the coupling portion to thereby fasten the building member comprised of the main body portion and the coupling portion to the coupling sheet member. In this way, a desired ornamental article can be created.

Abstract: An electrified, artificial Christmas tree, which comprises both the artificial tree, composed of a stand and trunk with attachable branches, and various electrical components. The trunk portion of the tree is composed of a plurality of coupled sections which are joined together in a vertical orientation, and each of which has holes for branches to be inserted. The trunk pieces also have electrical sockets which are internally connected to the base of the trunk. The base of the trunk has attached to it another electrical socket and a master power cable. In use, the tree is assembled as any standard artificial tree, connecting trunk pieces together, and inserting into them branches of various sizes. Any conventional ornament or lighting fixture may be hung on these branches, and plugged into the trunk for power requirements. A stand at the base of the trunk provides stability, and internal circuit breakers provide assurance against fire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a load-bearing structure having interlockable peripheral edges. The peripheral edges provide at least one pair of upper and lower offsets. Each offset includes a plurality of spaced apart projections.