Method for providing a decorative cover formed of holographic material

• US 20040062997A1
• Filed: 07/10/2003
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Donald E. Weder
• Original Assignee: Donald E. Weder
• Inventors: Weder, Donald E.
• Application Number:
  US10/617,283
• Publication Number:
  US 20040062997A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 430/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 7/085 made of flexible sheets of non-resilient material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/0053 Moulding articles characterised by the shape of the surface, e.g. ribs, high polish mould construction therefor B29C33/42; surface shaping of articles B29C59/00; by incorporating filler in or near the surface B29C70/64
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/722 Decorative or ornamental articles
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2425/00 Cards, e.g. identity cards, credit cards
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2429/00 Carriers for sound or information
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2451/00 Decorative or ornamental articles
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/12 characterised by using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/06 Embossing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/505 for cut flowers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/52 for living plants; for growing bulbs
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/028 by embossing
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0055 in advertising or decorative art
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2227/04 Production line for mass production
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2250/10 arranged to be transferred onto a carrier body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1023 Surface deformation only [e.g., embossing]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1039 Surface deformation only of sandwich or lamina [e.g., embossed panels]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1051 by folding

Abstract

Processes for producing a holographic material involve producing the holographic image on a polished, substantially smooth surface and then transferring the holographic image to a substrate. A metallic coating is applied to a smooth surface of a printing element to provide a coated surface, the coated surface is embossed to provide the holographic image, and the holographic image is transferred to a substrate via a bonding material, thereby producing the holographic material. The holographic material may be used to provide a decorative cover for an object or item, such as a floral grouping or a potted plant.

Claims

1. A process for applying a holographic image to a substrate to produce a holographic material, the process comprising the steps of:

providing a printing element having a polished surface;

applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;

embossing the coated surface to provide an embossed coated surface;

applying a metallic constituent or component to the embossed coated surface to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;

applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image;

disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material; and

removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the process is performed as a continuous process or a batch process.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical drum, a roller, a flat plate and a platen press.

4. The process of claim 2 wherein the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.

5. The process of claim 2 wherein the surface of the printing element is resilient or non-resilient.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the coating is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, lacquer and combinations thereof.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue and combinations thereof.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface or a substantially smooth surface.

9. A method for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising the steps of:

providing a holographic material produced by a process for applying a holographic image to a substrate, the process comprising the steps of;

providing a printing element having a polished surface;

applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;

embossing the coated surface to provide an embossed coated surface;

applying a metallic constituent or component to the embossed coated surface to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;

applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image;

disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material; and

removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element;

forming the holographic material into a decorative cover having a plurality of overlapping folds therein wherein the overlapping folds extend at various angles and at various distances, the decorative cover having an object opening formed through an upper end thereof wherein'"'"'the object opening is sized to receive a flower pot;

providing a flower pot having an outer peripheral surface; and

disposing the flower pot in the object opening of the decorative cover with the decorative cover encompassing a substantial portion of the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical drum, a roller, a flat plate and a platen press.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the surface of the printing element is resilient or non-resilient.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the coating is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, lacquer and combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue and combinations thereof.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface or a substantially smooth surface.

16. A method for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising the steps of:

providing a holographic material produced by a process for applying a holographic image to a substrate, the process comprising the steps of;

providing a printing element having a polished surface;

applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;

embossing the coated surface to provide an embossed coated surface;

applying a metallic constituent or component to the embossed coated surface to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;

applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image;

disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material; and

removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element; and

forming the holographic material into a decorative cover having a plurality of overlapping folds therein wherein the overlapping folds extend at various angles and at various distances, the decorative cover having an object opening formed through an upper end thereof wherein the object opening is sized to receive a flower pot.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical drum, a roller, a flat plate and a platen press.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.

19. The method, of claim 17 wherein the surface of the printing element is resilient or non-resilient.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the coating is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, lacquer and combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue and combinations thereof.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface or a substantially polished surface.