Constructed From Filamentary Or Flat Sheet Material Patents (Class 428/542.6)
  • Patent number: 11596848
    Abstract: A training device to practice wedge shots on a golf course and a method of using the training device are described. The training device includes a base with one or more retaining elements to releasably retain a head of the wedge while the wedge shaft is angled backward and thereby demonstrate an approximate optimal angle at which a user should hold the wedge when practicing the wedge shot. A user places the device on a surface, like a sand trap or rough, and inserts the wedge so that the head is retained by the retaining elements while the shaft in angled backward. The user stands on one side of the device, removes the wedge from the retaining elements, shifts the wedge to an opposite side of the device while maintaining the demonstrated angled alignment of the shaft, and initiates a golf swing to hit the ball back onto the green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: G & R GOLF, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Raitz
  • Patent number: 11104047
    Abstract: A transfer film includes a carrier film and a transfer ply, wherein the transfer film is provided for transferring the transfer ply to a component. A deep-drawing membrane is arranged between the carrier film and the transfer ply. A method for producing a transfer film as well as the use of a transfer film and a method for coating a component with a transfer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Hehn, Steffen Falgner
  • Patent number: 9950558
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detachably supporting a decorative or graphic panel or covering upon a frame or door without leaving a mark or other visible evidence of the presence of the panel. The panel may be used to install a decorative panel on a door or a decorative image on a frame to be hung on a wall, for example. Specially designed corner supports are attached to the panel and looped over the respective corners of the door or frame. The decorative image or graphic may be applied to the visible face of the panel or covering by any practical process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Timothy Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9447630
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detachably supporting a decorative or graphic panel or covering upon a frame or door without leaving a mark or other visible evidence of the presence of the panel. The panel may be used to install a decorative panel on a door or a decorative image on a frame to be hung on a wall, for example. Specially designed corner supports are attached to the panel and looped over the respective corners of the door or frame. The decorative image or graphic may be applied to the visible face of the panel or covering by any practical process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Timothy Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20150104596
    Abstract: Prior art for processing human cell or tissue biopsy specimens implies the individualization of the specimens by marking the specimen containers (e.g. for transportation) and the specimen holders (e.g. plastic cassettes, glass slides) but not the specimen itself. The specimen processing steps include several manual transfers of the specimens between different containers and specimen holders. This manual transfer may result in specimen mix-ups. These specimen mix-ups can be prevented by attaching solvent resistant uni- or multicolored barcoded cuttable strips of cellulose acetate directly to the specimens thereby marking and individualizing the specimen itself. The strips adhere to the specimens at all steps of tissue processing and evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Ulrich Felix Vogel
  • Patent number: 8991081
    Abstract: A decorated card having at least one leaf, and a cutout formed in the leaf and defined by a cutout outline. The card is characterized by the fact that it has at least two threads extending under tension across the cutout outline, and a plurality of spangles, the spangles being held suspended from each of the threads under tension so as to cover at least part of the area defined by the cutout outline. A manufacturing method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Chanel Parfums Beaute
    Inventor: Sylvie Legastelois
  • Publication number: 20140268743
    Abstract: An arrangement of decorative elements includes a frame, a plurality of strands of ornaments supported from the frame, a plurality of slats supported from the frame, and wherein the plurality of slats are interspersed with the plurality of strands of ornaments to define a row of strands of ornaments and slats. The frame may include an inner support for supporting the plurality of strands of ornaments and slats, and an outer support that extends around a peripheral edge of the inner support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SWAROVSKI LIGHTING, LTD.
    Inventor: Saewoo PARK
  • Publication number: 20140250562
    Abstract: A multi-spectral concealment assembly includes a garnish panel having a panel perimeter and a web spanning the panel perimeter. The web includes garnish bands extending across the panel perimeter. Gaps are positioned between each of the garnish bands. A method for assembling a garment panel includes joining the garnish panel with a liner. Joining includes fixing a garnish panel first location to a liner first location, gathering the garnish panel at the garnish panel first location, and fixing a garnish panel second location at a liner second location. A method for cutting plies of a multi-spectral concealment laminate includes stacking the laminate into plies and interposing an isolation sheet between each ply. The garnish panels are laser cut from the plies, and seared along respective edges. The searing of the edges of each garnish panel is isolated from searing along edges of other garnish panels with the isolation sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Brad Lee Matthies, Cody John Christenson, Patricia Mary Beernink, Charlene Gertrude Rust, Jennifer Joi Ellis, Wilma Kay Morrison, Francis James Farke, John Calvin Zumhofe, Brian Everett Pearson
  • Patent number: 8828177
    Abstract: A method and product for reducing reflected light glare into a human's eyes from the human's cheeks while simultaneously providing a non-verbal communication to others is provided, especially for use by participants in athletic contests. Underneath the human's eyes on the cheeks at a reflective location on the cheeks at which incident direct or indirect light is likely to be reflected into a human's eyes a non-toxic, non-reflective colored and finished material in the form of a predefined clearly demarcated geometric shape is applied. Within a week after the application (typically within less than a few hours after the athletic contest is over) the non-reflective material is removed. The non-reflective material may comprise eye black, applied using a stencil, or it may comprise a temporary tattoo or decal, applied in the conventional manner. The shape preferably is a sports apparel or equipment manufacturer's or distributor's logo and/or letters, or a team name, mascot or logo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen W. Comiskey, Barrett O. Comiskey
  • Patent number: 8679601
    Abstract: A medical fluid container of a flexible plastic material is produced as follows: at first, a plastic compound is produced from a heterogeneous mixture of a first, lower-viscosity raw polymer component having a first melt viscosity and a second, higher-viscosity raw polymer component having a second melt viscosity which is greater than the first melt viscosity. Then the plastic compound is extruded. The extrudate is confectioned. Finally, the confectioned extrudate is sealed to form the finished fluid container. A film tubing may serve as intermediate product for the medical container. The medical container or the film tubing thus produced has surface structures with a typical average size of 15 to 200 ?m. The production method requires little effort while fulfilling demanding requirements with respect to the stability of the produced fluid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Raumedic AG
    Inventors: Georg Kühlein, Martin Schenkel
  • Patent number: 8642186
    Abstract: Provided is a thermosetting resin decorative plate comprising a decorative sheet comprising a base material and a picture layer formed thereon, wherein the base material is a nonwoven fabric comprising chemical fibers or a mixed paper of chemical fibers and pulps, and the above decorative plate makes it possible to work a three-dimensional form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hama, Hirotoshi Suetugu
  • Publication number: 20130236733
    Abstract: A decorative towel kit and a method of using the same. The kid includes a towel folded to form a front portion and a rear portion which are adjacent each other and generally aligned along a longitudinal axis of the towel; a sleeve removably engageable about an exterior surface of the folded towel such that the sleeve is disposed generally at right angles to the longitudinal axis; and a decal provided on the sleeve. The sleeve is wrapped around the towel when folded. The decal includes a decorative image and is removably engaged with the sleeve. The kit may include one or more towels, one or more sleeves, and one or more decals that may be used in a variety of combinations with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Ingrid Craig
  • Publication number: 20130129942
    Abstract: A method of making mixed media artwork includes cutting a metal sheet; applying an adhesive layer to an outer surface of the metal sheet; applying one or more polymer layers to the adhesive layer, wherein the one or more polymer layers create an image on the outer surface; and deforming the metal sheet to create a three-dimensional outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Simon Raab
  • Patent number: 8357444
    Abstract: There is provided a special effects greenscreen having a plurality of marks dispersed thereon in a selected pattern, wherein each of the marks is embedded in the greenscreen by weaving, knitting, felting, crocheting, screening, stamping, embossing or similar method to integrate the mark into the greenscreen material. The pattern may be a single repeated mark evenly spaced along horizontal lines, along vertical lines, or along both horizontal and vertical lines. The pattern may comprise a familiar ordered series of unique marks dispersed in a selected pattern on the greenscreen, for example, letters of the alphabet. The pattern may comprise a first mark embedded at a selected point on the greenscreen, a plurality of second marks each embedded a first distance away from the first mark, and a plurality of third marks each embedded a second distance from the first mark, wherein the second distance is greater than first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: Michael James Branham
  • Patent number: 8252407
    Abstract: An adhesive article and a method of making the adhesive article are described. The adhesive article includes a facestock film having a first surface, a second surface and end edges wherein the second surface has a plurality of recesses formed therein that provide a path for fluid egress to at least one end edge; and a continuous layer of adhesive adhered to the second surface of the facestock film. The adhesive layer can compress, collapse or flex into the recesses of the embossed surface in response to a force to create a path for fluid egress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Hannington
  • Publication number: 20120034483
    Abstract: Disclosed is a decorative element (1) comprising two substantially parallel panels (2, 3) which are arranged at a distance from each other and at least one of which (2, 3) is at least partially permeable to visible light, and a plurality of precious stones (6) that are disposed between the panels (2, 3). A device (4) for fixing the precious stones (6) in a specific position is located between the panels (2, 3). Said position-fixing device (4) includes compartments (5), inside each of which exactly one precious stone (6) is disposed. At least one of the panels (2, 3) directly adjoins the compartments (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Oliver MAIR
  • Patent number: 7935407
    Abstract: A decoration includes a main body. The main body forms an outer edge portion and an inner edge portion. The outer edge portion is formed around a periphery of the inner edge portion. The inner edge portion has at least two disconnected coil cutting lines. The cutting lines equidistantly wrap around to a center of the main body and connect with each other, for the main body separately forming adjacent corresponded first convolution and second convolution by the cutting lines. By means of the convolutions being respectively pulled out toward opposite sides of the outer edge portion along an axial direction for positioning, making the convolutions respectively form conical revolutions at opposite sides of the outer edge portion, achieving tri-dimensional decoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Tsung-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 7897233
    Abstract: Adhesive antiskid material suitable for use with traction sensitive applications (such as a skateboard deck) is described herein. The adhesive antiskid material includes pieces that are visually distinguishable from each other. An adhesive patch layer of the adhesive antiskid material maintains the pieces in a single sheet for handling and application to the object of interest. The adhesive antiskid material may include a graphics layer and a clear or translucent filler grip piece that is applied over the graphics layer. This option allows stickers, advertisements, company logos, pictures, or any design element to be incorporated into the adhesive antiskid material itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventors: Marcelo Esposito, Mark Mitsugi Takahashi, Erik Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7824759
    Abstract: A decorative architectural panel can be formed using multiple image layers to create one or more three-dimensional effects in a final product. In particular, a reference image layer comprises an extruded sheet having an artistically-designed reference image formed thereon. A next image layer comprises an extruded sheet having a differently sized iteration of the artistically designed reference image. A manufacturer can place the next image layer over the reference image layer, and set the combined image layers such that the final product shows the artistically-designed image in three-dimensions. Additional image layers, such as a color layer, or a layer having embedded objects, can be combined with the stratified product for additional artistic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Talley Goodson
  • Publication number: 20100247943
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing panels having a substrate and a decorative layer, including at least the step of attaching at least the decorative layer on the substrate by means of a press element, wherein the press element used comprises at least three components, namely, a heating plate, a press mat and a press plate, wherein one or more components of the press element are made such that for one or more edges of said press mat more space or room is provided than for a central portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Kurt Demeyere, Christof Vandevoorde
  • Patent number: 7752784
    Abstract: This description relates to a card construction that may be assembled from a paper material support and at least one bent wire formed into a character outline. The resulting bent wireform may be held to the support with discrete areas of adhesive materials that are positioned to hold the character outline substantially in its mounted form and to (optionally) separate the character outline from the paper material support. The construction may be used as a greeting card, announcement card, artwork, label, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Catherine M. Caster
  • Patent number: 7695662
    Abstract: A macrocell structure 20 having a honeycomb form is preheated to cure to a cure depth falling within a range where a flexibility of prepregs in the macrocell structure remains. Subsequently, prepregs 31, 32 are arranged along a side wall of the preheated macrocell structure 20, so as to make a preliminary structure 40. Then, the preliminary structure 40 is heated while the inside of the prepregs 31, 32 in the preliminary structure 40 is vacuumed. Thereafter, the preliminary structure 40 is heated while imparting an internal pressure thereto within a mold 5, so as to be cured, whereby a resin structure 1 is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Oyama
  • Publication number: 20100068448
    Abstract: Procedure for manufacturing a multilayer composite material for decorative objects and multilayer composite material obtained by this procedure. The procedure comprises the following steps, namely, placing a first decorative sheet (1) of flexible material on a work surface, applying a first layer of adhesive material (2) on the facing surface of the first decorative sheet (1), placing a structural sheet (3) of malleable semirigid material on the first layer of adhesive material (2), applying a second layer of adhesive material (4) on the facing surface of the layer of moldable semirigid material (3), placing a second decorative sheet (5) of flexible material on the second layer of adhesive material (4) and exerting even pressure on the surface of the sheets for a tight joining together. The composite material comprises a first (1) decorative sheet of flexible material, a structural sheet (3) of malleable semirigid material and a second (5) decorative sheet of flexible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Domingo Martinez Segura
  • Publication number: 20090305072
    Abstract: A twisted resin panel includes resin material that has been heated and twisted after being subject to heat and/or pressure. In one implementation, a manufacturer can clamp opposing ends of a resin panel, such as a panel comprising a one or more layers thermoformed together. The manufacturer can then elevate the resin panel, and twist at least one end of the resin panel to achieve a desired aesthetic. Upper securing means (e.g., vertical clamps, rig hardware) at the upper end of the resin panel can be configured to move up or down during the twist of the resin panel in order to accommodate length variations thereof. Upon twisting, the resin panel will then cool into the desired position, and thus be used for any number of decorative architectural purposes. Implementations of the invention further include means to mount a twisted panel to upper and lower support surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: 3FORM, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan K. Harris, Kevin Fisher, Jeremy Porter, Venugopal R. Ghatikar, Guillaume Martin
  • Patent number: 7615276
    Abstract: A decorative architectural panel can be formed using multiple image layers to create one or more three-dimensional effects in a final product. In particular, a reference image layer comprises an extruded sheet having an artistically-designed reference image formed thereon. A next image layer comprises an extruded sheet having a differently sized iteration of the artistically designed reference image. A manufacturer can place the next image layer over the reference image layer, and set the combined image layers such that the final product shows the artistically-designed image in three-dimensions. Additional image layers, such as a color layer, or a layer having embedded objects, can be combined with the stratified product for additional artistic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: 3Form, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Talley Goodson
  • Patent number: 7553552
    Abstract: A radiator grille, or ornament, includes a base material which transmits visible light and is made of an acrylic resin, a first ornamental layer coating the front surface of the base material, and a second ornamental layer coating the rear surface of the base material. The first and second ornamental layers each transmit visible light and have a thickness that is less than the wavelength of the visible light. It is preferred that the first ornamental layer and the second ornamental layer differ from each other in at least one of material, number of layers, thickness, refractive index of visible light, reflectance of visible light, absorptivity of visible light, and transmittance of visible light. The first ornamental layer is a hard coating layer, and the second ornamental layer is a hard coating layer or vapor deposition layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Oba, Tetsuya Fujii, Chiharu Totani
  • Publication number: 20090136691
    Abstract: A decorative sheet that can decorate a formed product without diminishing the beauty of its appearance is used to decorate the surface of a formed product. The sheet includes a decoration layer; a base member that supports the decoration layer; an adhesive layer for adhering the decoration layer and the base member onto the formed product; and a flow reducing member for reducing the flow of the adhesive layer. The flow reducing member is provided in the adhesive layer and is made of a material having a higher melting point than that of a material of the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Suzuki, Naohiro Morozumi
  • Patent number: 7531230
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric display using the action of electrostatic charges to manipulate visual displays. The fabric display comprises areas of furry fabrics (16) that can serve as visual effects or display of information and can be usable in a wearable garment, furniture, or other suitable locations where it can be incorporated to close a circuit. Through activation by the user, the surface of furry fabrics (16) is electrostatically charged causing the furs to repel from the surface and each other in a substantially vertical orientation with portions of the furs extending cut of the surface, thus revealing the color of the fabric surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: George Marmaropoulos
  • Publication number: 20090110948
    Abstract: The present invention is referred to herein as “magnetic wallpaper” and comprises at least one sheet of magnetic sheet material. The magnetic sheet material has a front side and a back side, and at least the front side is decorated entirely with a decorative pattern or other decorative element. The magnetic sheet material is sized to cover a predetermined portion of the structure, such as the exterior door, interior door, or left, right, or side interior walls. If the exterior walls of the locker, are exposed, then they can be covered as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Sarah Buckel
  • Publication number: 20090047535
    Abstract: A rectangular-shaped door cover (1) capable of covering a door (10) in a decorative fashion is presented. The invention includes a sleeve-shaped element having two open and two closed sides. The door cover (1) includes one or more stretchable fabric sheets which conform to a door (10) so as to cover the front surface (11), back surface (12), top side edge (15), and bottom side edge (16) along a door (10) without obstructing locks and hinges thereon. The fabric material is stretchable so as to fit over and cover a door (10) and is sufficiently resilient so as to contract along its length after placement onto a door (10), thereby securing the door cover (1) thereto in a fixed yet removable fashion. The invention has immediate applicability to the decoration of doors during holidays, celebrations, and other events, as well as for advertising, promotion, and identification purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Michael G. Crilly
  • Patent number: 7476438
    Abstract: The invention provides a self-adherent wrap containing a camouflage pattern and/or an active agent, as well as methods of making and using such self-adherent wraps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Geoffrey H. Gorres
  • Publication number: 20080191386
    Abstract: Decorated molded article creating a three-dimensional appearance is provided. A decorated molded article 1 has a transparent layer 51 arranged on the front side thereof. A projection layer 11 is arranged partly on the front side of the transparent resin layer 51. A screen layer 31 is formed on the back side of the transparent layer 51. An image projected from the projection layer 11 is produced on the screen layer 31. When the decorated molded article 1 is observed from obliquely above, the projection layer 11 and an image 17 are visually recognized simultaneously. Therefore, the projection layer 11 is recognized as if it were three-dimensional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: NISSHA PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhide Fukada, Kumiko Yoshikawa, Nobuyasu Hirobe, Shigeru Hinoshita
  • Publication number: 20070281180
    Abstract: A suspended ornament having an ornament main body composed of an obverse natural-wood sheet body, a base fabric for adhesion, and a reverse natural-wood sheet body layered in this order and adhered to be united. The ornament main body is divided into plural fine long strips. Each of the fine long strips has plural fiber-cutting lines. All of the fine long strips are connected by knitting connection linear bodies as to be disposed in order before the division. Width dimension of the fine long strip is set to be 3 to 25 mm. Each of the fine long strips has plural fiber-cutting lines parallel to each other. Interval dimension between neighboring fiber-cutting lines is set to be 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7267857
    Abstract: A laminating and mounting system include a pouch (10) made of thermal laminating film (15,16) and a thermal adhesive (21,22) on a surface (17,18) both inside the pouch and outside the pouch. A first substrate (19), like a print, is placed within a chamber (25) of the pouch (10). The pouch (10) is attached or aligned with a backer board, a rigid substrate (20). The assembly comprising the pouch (10), print (19) and backer substrate (20) are laminated in one pass by a laminating machine (30) that applies both heat and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: D & K International, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Singer
  • Patent number: 7261948
    Abstract: A three-dimensional ornament (1) comprising a plurality of folded elements (8), (9), (10), (11), (22) and (23) created from a plurality of nesting cuts (6), (7), (20) and (21) in a planar surface (1). The folded elements (8), (9), (10), (11), (22) and (23) are fastened in opposing planes (15), (16) and (28) so as to give a unique and distinctive appearance. A multitude of three-dimensional ornaments (1) may be fastened together to form a snowflake (19) which may be suspended from a ceiling, tree or the like. The planar surface (1) may have a decorative surface and be of various colors, sizes and textures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Mary Edkins
  • Patent number: 7211305
    Abstract: A holiday countdown interactive display may include a set of magnetically attachable ornaments that have discrete appearances and functionalities, each ornament being marked with a distinct number associated with the number of days remaining before a holiday. In certain preferred embodiments, the interactive display comprises a plush fabric base generally in the shape of a Christmas tree and containing a plurality of rare earth magnets disposed beneath countdown numbers borne on the exterior of the plush fabric base. The interactive display system may further include a plurality of numbered plush Christmas ornaments each including rare earth magnets, the ornaments adapted to be successively installed on the plush fabric base on the days preceding a holiday event. In various embodiments, the ornaments include power supplies, controllers, vibratory elements, LEDs, speakers, pockets for containing gift items, messages, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Therese F. Steiger, Nancy Short, Ruth Donikowski, Kristine Larsen, Keri Lauderdale Olson, Tim Staley
  • Patent number: 7144609
    Abstract: An artificial turf system which includes a support layer, a base layer, and an outer layer. The support layer comprises an area of selected size and composition. The base layer comprises at least one grid which consists of a plurality of interconnected cells. The base layer is positioned over the support layer. Each cell forming the grid comprises an upstanding tubular member which includes an upper portion, having a first diameter, and a lower portion having a second diameter. The lower cell portion provides the cell with vertical flexibility. The plurality of cells provide the grid with selected vertical movement on contact providing the artificial turf system with improved softness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: U.S. Greentech, Inc.
    Inventor: Randolph S. Reddick
  • Patent number: 7127842
    Abstract: A three-dimensional mobile construction is fabricated as a two dimensional object and thereafter expanded into a three dimensional configuration suited for suspension as a mobile. Cut lines in a web defines elements linked in a contiguous arrangement, and the elements are moved out of the plane of the web to create the three dimensional display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Katyayini Murthy
  • Patent number: 7045193
    Abstract: The invention involves en improved display mat having high-definition graphics for use on a variety of surfaces including carpet. The display mat is comprised of a flexible polymeric sheeting having top and bottom sides, a high-definition image printed on the top side of the sheeting; and a coating overlying and protecting the image and providing a durable non-slip surface. The display mat has sufficient cohesion between the sheeting, image and coating to withstand repeated rolling and unrolling without separation. In addition, the invention provides a method of constructing a display mat with high-definition graphics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventors: Michael L. Tanel, Ronald P. Davis
  • Patent number: 7011093
    Abstract: Nasal dilators and strips, methods of their manufacture, and methods for improving the breathing of individuals are provided. The strips and dilators include an elongated substrate, with or without a dilating component or portion, having top and bottom surfaces and a pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the bottom surface. The dilator is designed to provide a gentle expanding force to the nasal wall tissue when the dilator is adhesively attached to the nose. This invention further includes a cosmetic fragrance, an aromatic medication and/or transdermal medication disposed on the strips or dilators. In order to improve the shelf-life and in-use olfactory effectiveness of such products, fragrance delivery mechanisms are used. Separation of volatile oils and adhesives are also provided to minimize adhesive residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: CNS, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton W. Anderson, Nobuya Hashizume, Peter J. Cronk, Kristen Cronk
  • Patent number: 6951680
    Abstract: Prefabricated bondable flexible polymer material in thin sheet, slab, or panel form for making tensioned structures such as false ceilings in particular, said mono- or multilayer material such as plasticized PVC, for example, carrying a direct ink jet or silkscreen print of at least one design of shapes and dimensions that are predetermined once the material is under tension; making a tensioned structure such as a tensioned false ceiling, in particular, from such a material, by means of a first step of selecting the type, dimensions, and dispositions of the mono- or polychromatic designs to be printed, said designs being digitized and recorded in a computer memory of a system for controlling a printing machine, printing optionally being performed on a plurality of bonded-together strips of material, and in particular over zones of edge-to-edge bonding between the strips, said printing taking place before or after bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Newmat S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Vaulot
  • Patent number: 6936314
    Abstract: An expandable tree-shaped device is formed from a sheet of material which includes a central apex and a plurality of spaced apart spiral strips extending therefrom, with the spiral strips being substantially coaxial to the central apex and to one another. The central apex and the spiral strips, in the operative position, are positioned in a vertically spaced, tiered array, with the central apex at an uppermost position such that the tiered array is configured to have a generally conical tree-shape. A plurality of connecting segments join each spiral strip or tier of the array to a next adjacent spiral strip or tier of the array to form a unitary structure. The width of each spiral strip increases proportionately with the increase in radial distance from the central point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Paul Schultz
  • Patent number: 6902198
    Abstract: A scratch tape includes a base substrate, a UV coating layer formed on the upper surface of the base substrate, a lightproof layer 30 formed of the UV coating layer for shielding light, and a water-based coating layer 40 such that the enhanced lightproof property provides the security-required products with the reliable security, and is manufactured using the platen press printing such the whole manufacturing costs can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Ho Yeon Hoang
  • Patent number: 6886309
    Abstract: A custom-decorated giftwrap is made by feeding a folded sheet into a printer, while avoiding paper jams therein by holding together sheet portions of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Charles Phillips
  • Patent number: 6878422
    Abstract: A three-dimensional, hanging decoration comprised of a connecting portion and at least one spiraling portion. The device transformed from a flat, lightweight sheet of flexible material (for easy shipping, storage and sale) into a three-dimensional, fanciful, eye-catching and air-current movable party decoration. The visual look and feel of the hanging decoration is that of a spent, thrown or unwound serpentine or party streamer. The three-dimensional hanging decoration may be provided with decorative ornaments which hang downwardly from various points along the connecting portion and/or the spiraling portion. When laid on a flat surface (for shipping and storage), the three-dimensional hanging decoration consumes a minimum of space in that it rests substantially flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Amscan, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Spaar
  • Patent number: 6875504
    Abstract: A stain-adsorbing backing sheet for use with a decorative surface covering; a decorative surface covering comprising a stain-adsorbing backing sheet; and a method for forming a stain-adsorbing backing sheet for a decorative surface covering. The backing sheet comprises an additive which is effective in adsorbing a stainant that comes into contact with the backing sheet and which is present in an amount effective to reduce the degree of staining which tends to be visible in the top surface of the covering. The additive is preferably an adsorbing material that does not affect adversely the visual characteristics of the sheet and surface covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Congoleum Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Malloy, F. Joseph Ehrhardt
  • Patent number: 6805926
    Abstract: A security label having one or more security elements is used on or in association with items, such as consumer products, that have value and are susceptible to counterfeiting. The security label is preferably used as a primary label directly affixed to the item or product. The security element(s) can be affixed to an outer or inner label surface, embedded within the label film or paper layer and/or laminated between two or more layers. One type of security element includes a security thread having indicia formed thereon that are not easily reproduced or duplicated. Another type of security element includes a machine-readable security element that provides encoded machine-readable verification data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Technical Graphics Security Products, LLC
    Inventors: Paul F. Cote, Stephen B. Curdo, Gerald J. Gartner, Gary R. Wolpert
  • Patent number: 6797355
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a three-dimensional photograph includes: establishing a three-dimensional coordinate system and subsequently generating a three-dimensional spatial image within the coordinate system; dividing the image into a plurality of pixels and subsequently storing spatial data and color data of the pixels in a memory; dividing the image into a plurality of image layers along a direction corresponding to a coordinate of the coordinate system; providing a plurality of transparent plates and coloring a side surface of each of the plates at positions corresponding to the pixels in a respective one of the image layers, based on the spatial data and the color data in the memory; and combining the transparent plates, thereby forming the photograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Tzuen-Yih Wang, Leo Huang, Ming-Hsiong Chang
  • Patent number: 6783815
    Abstract: A three-dimensional ornamental device adapted for rotation about an axis to produce a changing perspective that creates an interesting visual effect includes a series of angularly spaced apart strips, each strip having opposite ends and a length corresponding to the curvilinear distance along the strip between the opposite ends of the strip, wherein each strip is connected at one end to a first spine and connected at an opposite end to a second spine. The device can be made by cutting a sheet of material into a desired geometric shape, making cuts into the sheet material to form a series of disconnected adjacent strips, and bending the strips from a reference plane so that the strips are angularly spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Timothy J. Flohe
  • Patent number: 6774067
    Abstract: A mat has fabric layer (4) and a rubber backing (6) bonded to the fabric layer. The fabric layer (4) includes a microknitted plush polyester fabric that is chemically treated to render it hydrophilic. The fabric layer (4) may also have a textured surface that includes raised and/or recessed surface formations (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Roy P. Demott, Kimberly C. Gillis, Ernest G. Stringer, Terence M. Hedley