Decorative bows and ribbon assemblies with die-cut pieces

Abstract

A decorative bow with die cut pieces has a plurality of ribbon strands in combination with die cut pieces which have a spine and one or more design artifacts which extend from the spine. The die cut pieces are commonly attached with the ribbon strands to form an integrated bow with a distinctive appearance of the ribbon strands in combination with the die cut pieces. In one embodiment, the ribbon strands are generally elongate and helical form ribbons of generally common lengths, combined with die cut pieces having a generally elongate spine of common length with the ribbon strands, and wherein the design artifacts of the die cut pieces are positioned relative to the ribbon strands. The ribbon strands and die cut pieces may be commonly secured to a backing structure by a fastener, the backing structure providing a mount for the decorative bow for application to a package.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains generally to decorative bows for use in decorating gift packages, gift bags and the like and, more particularly, to decorative ribbons and curly bows with die-cut shapes as accessories to gift-wrapped packages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] One type of decorative bow of the prior art is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 2,681,525. This is a common, conventional structure of a decorative bow which looks more or less like a flower. The bow structure consists of continuous strips of ribbon twisted to form a succession of multiple loops radiating from the center of the bow. Another decorative bow of the prior art is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,837, showing a bow formed by a folded piece of flat ribbon forms itself into a bow by pulling on a drawstring connected to the ribbon at points along its length and secured to the ribbon at one end so that the user of the ribbon can draw the ribbon into a number of arcuate loops by pulling on the drawstring. Another bow design described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,819 includes a plurality of curly ribbons folded in alternating directions and arranged to create a cascading look. A common characteristic of these various bow designs is that they are constructed from a common ribbon with generally uniform dimensions and width, and finish characteristics such as rippled or smooth. This fact inherently limits the range or diversity of visual appearances bows made with such ribbon may have.

[0003] Another type of decorative accessory which may be used on gift wrapped packages is a type of helical form wire or line to which is attached decorative elements. This is sometimes referred to as decorative garland, and has been used as table and other holiday domestic decoration. simulated garland containing die-cut shapes protruding from it. The garland is formed from wire, wrapped in ribbon, to allow it to be shaped/curled. Die-cut shapes are then secured to the garland strand to complete the decoration.

[0004] As advantageous as these arrangements may be, there is still a desire for a more unique decorative structure. More particularly, there is a desire for a decorative structure which exhibits more eye-catching appeal and possesses more visual interest.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a ribbon assembly which can be used as a decorative ribbon or bow which enhances visual interest and is highly distinctive. The decorative curly bows contain eye-catching appeal and thus, stand out among other decorative bows. These decorative bows are also occasion and/or season-specific.

[0006] In accordance with one general aspect of the invention, there is provided a decorative bow which has a plurality of curly ribbon-like strands and a plurality of central ribbon-like strands containing die-cut shapes, secured together. In one particular embodiment, the central strands are curved strands which contain multiple die-cut shapes secured along the length of the strands, positioned on both sides of the strand. In another embodiment, the central strands are straight strands which contain multiple die-cut shapes secured along the length of the strands. The die-cut shapes are typically flowers, Christmas trees, stars, snowflakes, holly or hearts. Thus, the decorative bows are usually seasonal, correlating with specific holidays and/or times of the year. However, other shapes are available and multiple shapes can be secured to each decorative bow, the bows are not limited to only one die-cut shape.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the strands are secured to a base member by stacking the center sections of the strands and stapling the sections to the base member. The base member is generally flat and has a front surface to which the strands are secured and a back surface having an adhesive layer. There is also an opening on the base member which allows the decorative bow to be hung for display.

[0008] These and other aspects of the present invention are herein described in further detail, with reference to the accompanying Figures, the illustrated embodiments being representative of only some of they ways in which the principles and concepts of the invention can be executed and employed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] In the accompanying Figures:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a decorative bow of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a profile view of a die cut piece of the decorative bow of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a profile view of a die cut piece of the decorative bow of the present invention, and

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a decorative bow of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

[0014] With reference to the Figures, there is shown a decorative bow, alternatively referred to as a “ribbon assembly”, generally indicated at 10, which includes in part a plurality of ribbon strands 12 secured together. The ribbon strands 12 may be made out of any particular material, such as cut from a sheet of polypropylene material or from a spool of pre-formed ribbon, the primary physical characteristic being strips of pliable material of variable widths and lengths, with different decorative surface texture and color finishes. The ribbon strands 12 of the bow 10 are generally commonly attached at one point to a backing structure 14, such as a card or bow chip which may be provided with an adhesive coating on one side, and depend therefrom in a cascading manner. The attachment of the ribbon strands 12 to the backing structure 14 may be at any intermediate point along the length of the ribbon strands 12, or at the midpoint of the length of the ribbon strands 12. The attachment of the ribbon strands 12 to the backing structure may be by adhesive or by mechanical fastener or fasteners such as staples or rivets. In this particular embodiment, the curved helical form of each of the ribbon strands 10 further augments the multidimensional characteristics of the bow 10.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 1, at least one die-cut piece 16 is combined with the ribbon strands 12 to form a decorative bow 10 (alternatively referred to as a “ribbon assembly”). FIG. 2 depicts one form of a die cut piece 16 in isolation. The die cut piece 16 is formed with a central longitudinal spine 18 from which design artifacts 20 extend generally laterally. In one form, a connecting segment 22 extends between the spine 18 and each design artifact 20. Die cut piece 16 may be manufactured in the known manner of a die of the described shapes which cuts the piece or pieces from any suitable material, as one efficient manner of manufacture. The design artifacts may be separately manufactured and subsequently attached to the spine. The invention is not limited to pieces which are in fact produced by a die, as any method of manufacture which produces the described shapes is applicable. Although shown in a form wherein each of the design artifacts are generally similarly configured, such as multi-point stars of differing size, it is within the scope of the invention to provide a die cut piece 16 in which the laterally extending design artifacts are of any configuration, and may vary in form in a single die cut piece, as shown for example in the related application, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to any particular size or sizing of the design artifacts. Furthermore, the number of die cut pieces 16 combined with the ribbon strands 12 may vary in any particular construction of the invention. The die cut pieces 16 are also preferably attached to the backing structure 14 by adhesive or mechanical fastener in a manner similar to the ribbon strands 12 by securement of a segment of the longitudinal spine 18 which is generally axially aligned with segments of the ribbon strands 12. Preferably the same fastener engages the ribbon strands 12 and die cut piece or pieces 16 for attachment to the backing structure 14. In an embodiment wherein a length of the die cut piece or pieces 16 is substantially equal to a length of the ribbon strands, the die cut piece 16 may also be secured by the fastener at a mid-point of its length. This combination of elements of the decorative bow 10 of the invention creates a striking visual appearance of the die cut pieces 16 juxtaposed or intertwined relative to the ribbon strands 12 in a random fashion. With the longitudinal spine 18 in serpentine or curved form as shown in FIG. 2, the die cut piece 16 complements the curvature of the helical ribbon strands 12. With the longitudinal spine 18 in a straight linear form as shown in FIG. 3, the die cut pieces 16 create a greater visual contrast relative to the ribbon strands 12.

[0016] The design artifacts 20 of the die-cut shapes 16 may be in the form of, for example, flowers, Christmas trees, stars, snowflakes, holly or hearts, however, the bows are not limited to any particular shape, and can include a wide variety of shapes. In one embodiment, the design artifacts 20 are of a particular design shape or artifact 20, allowing the decorative bows to be seasonal, correlating with specific holidays and/or times of the year. In another embodiment, two or more different design artifacts 20 extend from the spine 18, for example, hearts and flowers, or Christmas trees and holly, to appear together on a single decorative bow 10. The decorative bows 10 are not limited to such combinations, and multiple combinations of various die-cut shapes 16 can be combined as well, on a single decorative bow 10. The die-cut pieces 16 and design artifacts 20 are randomly positioned and intertwined with the ribbon strands 12. The die-cut pieces 16 are shown positioned on opposing sides of the spine 18 of the die cut piece 16 at generally uniform spacing, but alternate or random, variable spacing can also be used.

[0017] With the ribbon strands 12 and die cut pieces 16 arranged and generally aligned, they are attached to the backing structure 14 as described. The backing structure 14 may be made of paper stock or other suitable material. In one embodiment, the backing structure is generally rectangular in shape and includes at least two sections. A first section provides a surface area on which various indicia may be printed, such as text or graphics identifying the product, sales price, and/or manufacturer of the product. Generally, the first section also includes an opening, allowing the decorative bow to be hung for display. The opening allows the decorative bow 10 to be hung on display racks or other types of display devices for optimal display of the unique visual characteristics of the die cut pieces in combination with the ribbon strands.

[0018] Another section of the backing structure provides an area for attachment of the ribbon strands 12. Additionally, the first and second sections are connected by a perforation line, as a user of the decorative bow may not want to include the first section when the bow is attached to a gift. The perforation allows easy removal of the first section from the second section. Thus, a user of the decorative bow 10 may detach the sections by tearing along the perforation line and attaching the bow to the gift.

[0019] Typically, the decorative bow 10 is attached to a gift or other desired object by an adhesive layer positioned on the back of the second section of the base member. The adhesive layer is preferably covered with a protective backing, which can be removed. Thus, to attach the decorative bow to an object, the user tears off the first section, peals off the protective backing of the adhesive layer and presses the adhesive layer against the object at a selected location. Additionally, there are many different ways to secure all of the strands to the second section of the base member, such as gluing, heat fusing, sewing, and stapling, etc. In one embodiment, the strands of the decorative bow are stapled to the base member. A staple is driven through the center sections of the plurality of ribbon-like strands to secure them to the base member.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, the strands may be made of various synthetic and natural materials. For instance, the surface of one or both sides of the strand may be a layer of metalized polypropylene film to provide a shiny or reflective surface. Alternatively, various surface treatments, such as painting or attachment of shiny sprinkles, can be applied to the strand to alter its appearance. The strands may also be of different colors, with a decorative bow encompassing multiple colors of strands within a single bow. Strands could also be of different lengths and widths.

[0021] The decorative bows 10 are assembled by stacking the multiple strands together, one on top of the other. First, the plain strands are stacked and then the strands 12 and 18 with the die-cut shapes are stacked over the plain strands. The stacked strands are secured to a base member by a staple at the flat center sections just under the center point. Each of the plain strands are then curled, creating spiral-shaped strands. After all the plain strands are curled, the strands are fanned out, and the decorative bow 10 is completed. This process for forming the decorative bow 10 may be performed manually, but may also be performed by properly implemented machinery.

[0022] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Other features and aspects of this invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of designing and manufacturing decorative bows upon reading and comprehending this disclosure. Such features, aspects, and expected variations and modifications of the reported results and examples are clearly within the scope of the invention where the invention is limited solely by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A decorative bow comprising:

a plurality of ribbon strands in combination with at least one die cut piece, the die cut piece comprising a spine and at least one design artifact which extends from the spine.

2. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the ribbon strands are generally helical.

3. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the spine of the die cut piece is curved.

4. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the spine of the die cut piece is generally straight.

5. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the ribbon strands have a length generally equal to a length of the die cut piece.

6. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the design artifacts extend from opposite sides of the spine of the die cut piece.

7. The decorative bow of claim 1 comprising at least one die cut piece which has a generally straight spine and at least one die cut piece which has a curved spine.

8. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the die-cut piece has design artificats of a common configuration.

9. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the die-cut piece has design artifacts of dissimilar configuration.

10. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the ribbon strands and die-cut piece are attached to a backing structure.

11. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the die-cut piece is intertwined with the ribbon strands.

12. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the die-cut piece overlies at least some of the ribbon strands.

13. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein design artifacts of the die-cut piece are selected from a group consisting of flowers, trees, stars, snowflakes, holly and hearts.

14. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein design artifacts of the die-cut piece are commonly sized.

15. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein design artifacts of the die-cut piece are differently sized.

16. The decorative bow of claim 1 further comprising a connecting segment between the spine of the die cut piece and the at least one design artifact.

17. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the ribbon strands are secured together by a fastener.

18. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the ribbon strands are then attached to a backing structure.

19. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the backing structure has a first section having printed indicia and a second section to which the ribbon strands are secured.

20. The decorative bow of claim 19 wherein the backing structure has a surface to which the strands are secured and an adhesive.

21. The decorative bow of claim 1 wherein the ribbon strands and the spine of the die cut piece are secured together.

22. A decorative bow comprising a plurality of ribbon strands, segments of each of the ribbon strands secured together with at least one die cut piece, the die cut piece comprising a spine and a design artifacts which extend from the spine.

23. The decorative bow of claim 22 wherein a segment of the spine of the die cut piece is secured with the ribbon strands.

24. The decorative bow of claim 21 further comprising a connecting segments between the artifacts and the spine of the die cut piece.

25. The decorative bow of claim 22 wherein the design artifacts of the die cut piece have a similar configuration.

26. The decorative bow of claim 22 wherein the design artifacts of the die cut piece have a dissimilar configuration.

27. The decorative bow of claim 22 wherein the spine of the die cut piece is generally straight.

28. The decorative bow of claim 22 wherein the spine of the die cut piece has at least one curve.

29. The decorative bow of claim 22 in combination with multiple die cut pieces.

30. The decorative bow of claim 22 further comprising a backing structure to which the ribbon strand and die cut pieces are attached.

31. A ribbon assembly comprising:

a plurality of ribbon strands secured together;

at least one die cut piece secured together with at least one of the ribbon strands, the die cut piece having a spine and at least one design artifact which extends laterally from the spine.

32. The ribbon assembly of claim 31 wherein a segment of the ribbon strnads and the die cut piece is secured to a backing structure by a fastener.

33. The ribbon assembly of claim 31 wherein the die cut piece further comprises a connecting segment between the spine and the design artifact.

34. The ribbon assembly of claim 31 wherein the ribbon strands and die cut pieces are intertwined.

35. The ribbon assembly of claim 31 wherein the ribbon strands are generally helical.

36. The ribbon assembly of claim 31 wherein the spine of the die cut piece is generally straight.

37. The ribbon assembly of claim 31 wherein the spine of the die cut piece is generally curved.

38. The ribbon assembly of claim 31 wherein a length of the spine of the die cut piece is substantially equal to a length of the ribbon strands.

39. A decorative bow assembly comprising a plurality of ribbon strands secured together at a common segment, a die cut piece having a spine and design artifacts which extend from the spine, a segment of the spine secured together with the ribbon strands.

40. A ribbon assembly comprising multiple ribbon strands of generally helical form secured together at co-located segments at an approximate midpoint of each of the strands;

at least one die cut piece having a generally elongate spine and one or more design artifacts attached to the spine, a segment of the spine of the die cut piece being secured together with the ribbon strands.