Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Check – label – or tag – Holder
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-22
2001-03-06
Melius, Terry Lee (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Check, label, or tag
Holder
C040S659000, C047S044000, C248S087000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195926
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently available through wholesale and retail sources are several types of markers used to identify plants.
There are short and tall stakes made of wire, wood, and/or plastic. Some stakes have a nameplate affixed thereto; others, require a tag to attach using wire, string, or floral tape.
Nameplates/tags/flags commonly are made of ceramic, copper, fabric, glass, paper, plastic, metal, and wood. Individual flags may be a small vinyl or cloth material with a preprinted name.
Popular combinations on the market are:
(1) STAKE OF PARALLEL WIRE LEGS WITH ATTACHED NAMEPLATE
At the top of parallel wire legs is attached a shaft that anchors a metal nameplate upon which the user writes the desired plant name then subsequently inserts in the soil.
(2) WIRE ROD STAKE WITH ATTACHED NAMEPLATE
These are single wire rods with a nameplate (usually zinc) upon which the user writes the plant name, then inserts in the soil. Some nameplates flip upwards allowing more data to be written on the reverse side.
(3) WOODEN STAKE
An individual wooden stake is used upon which sometimes the user writes a plant name then inserts in the soil. The user has the option to directly write on a tag, affix it with a wire to the wooden stake, then insert same in the soil.
(4) WOODEN TAG WITH NAME
Individual wooden tags are sold either plain or with a preprinted plant name thereon to be fastened to a plant.
(5) COPPER TAG WITH WIRE
Individual plain, soft copper tags are sold upon which the user writes the plant name. A hole at one end allows a wire to be threaded before fastening to the plant. This tag material is desirous because it weathers over time to a verdigris patina, blending with nature. Frequently, matching copper wire for attachment is sold with a tag.
(6) PLASTIC TAG WITH PLANT NAME
Individual plastic tags are inserted in the soil of house plant pots, greenhouse plantings, to identify perennials and annuals prior to sale. Customarily there are instructions thereon as to the individual plant's care.
Flexible wire floral tape also can be used for attaching a tag to a wire rod/a wooden pole-like plant marker.
The nameplate is differentiated from a tag because it is preaffixed on each individual stake. Some blank nameplates and metal tags are sold with the understanding the user must write the pertinent data with an electric engraving tool. When the nameplate material is soft copper, a ballpoint or stylus is required to write the plant's name which becomes permanent.
These above-mentioned choices of plant stakes/markers have a limited-time endurance and limited functionality; their only purpose is stay in the soil at various heights as identifiers. They are a temporary expediency and rather makeshift.
Wire plant stakes/markers often appear to look like huge hairpins, are rather wobbly, and must be carefully moved due to their propensity to easily deform.
Most of the stakes/markers are not an “end use purchase” requiring more handling which means it is necessary to take time writing identification on the nameplate/tag before tying it to a plant or tying it to a stake/marker.
A major disadvantage of these various stakes, markers, tags, and nameplates is their unremarkable appearance which detracts from any landscape. Moreover, they have a limited life and are easily lost, damaged, or deformed.
A Patent Search of the available years 1969 to 1997 was conducted at the Patent and Trademark Depository Library at Rutgers University, Piscataway, N.J.
This endeavor resulted in perusing over 670 garden-related Use Patents and 36 Design Patents.
However, all relevancies were distant:
Pat. No. D 247,590=garden marker
Pat. No. D 263,903=hose holder
Pat. No. D 282,711=garden marker stake
Pat. No. D 290,809=garden hose holder
Pat. No. D 331,526=garden stake
Pat. No. D 334,529=garden hose holder
Pat. No. D 343,775=garden stake
Pat. No. D 344,645=holder for garden hose nozzle
Pat. No. D 376,300=garden stake
U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,166=hose holder
U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,906=garden marker
U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,530=garden marker
U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,203=garden row marker
U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,864=garden crook
U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,125=garden row marker
U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,676=garden hose storage with guide
U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,481=garden stake
U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,391=garden marker apparatus
U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,235=support apparatus for fencing
U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,645=support item for fencing
U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,382=decorative ornament
There were additional “hose anchor and individual plant support-type” Patents. They, too, had a distant relationship:
U.S. Pat. No. 551,000=stake for plants: Dec. 10, 1895
U.S. Pat. No. 603,754=plant support: May 10, 1898
U.S. Pat. No. 687,283=plant support: Nov. 26, 1901
U.S. Pat. No. 1,479,532=hose holder: Jul. 13, 1922
U.S. Pat. No. 1,610,259=article holder: Nov. 24, 1924
U.S. Pat. No. 1,616,147=marking stake: Jan. 9, 1925
U.S. Pat. No. 1,693,393=plant support: Oct. 5, 1927
U.S. Pat. No. 2,013,447=holder for garden hose: Sep. 3, 1935
U.S. Pat. No. 2,173,217=support for plants: Sep. 19, 1939
U.S. Pat. No. 2,229,527=individual plant support Feb. 26, 1937
U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,706=hose support: Sep. 3, 1957
U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,666=hose anchors support: Feb. 18, 1992
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention “Jardin Gem” is a sophisticated, utilitarian set of identifier stratagems which comprises a primary device, a secondary device, and a tertiary device.
They are named:
#1=Jardin Gem Topper . . . the primary identifier device.
#2=Jardin Gem Straww . . . the secondary identifier device.
#3=Jardin Gem Barr . . . the tertiary identifier device.
Whereas #1 and #3 interrelate with #2, each can and will function independently. The set has three accessories:
#4=Jardin Gem Beadd (lettered bead with a hole)
#5=Jardin Gem Tagg (metal tag with a hole)
#6=Jardin Gem Bracelett (ball chain)
Each identifier stratagem is manufactured from a continuous length of premium noncorrosive metal tubing such as stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminum, et al and custom-formed. What makes the Jardin Gem different from any other type of identifier is its inherent quality metal tubing structural strength, permanency attributes, and versatility.
They offer a classic way to prominently identify botanical plant life at every growth stage as well as equally identifying objects/places/things in divergent ways for whatever purpose. Clearly readable choices are either (1) imprinted lettering on the metal tubing and (2) spelling out an identifying name using round or square beads.
The Jardin Gem Topper is made with one of several configured tops, chiefly geometrical shapes. While the top has other uses, it functions as a handle for insertion/extraction.
The opposite straight end of the column (standard) is for placement in the ground, soil, cement, predrilled wood, cored brick, or whatever object.
An individual Jardin Gem Topper may accomplish several tasks simultaneously. Functioning as identifier, it adequately can support a garden hose (watering, soaker, sprinkler); roping; surveyor's tape; ribbons; or a strings of electric lights which have been laced through a series of tops. Flowers; seed packets; placards; and signs can be attached (especially to a series of tops). Additionally, when positioned close to the ground, the handle now converts to a nonshifting guard holder.
There are several labeling variations to identify botanical plant life or objects/places/things. The metal tubing used for the Jardin Gem Topper, the Jardin Gem Straww, and the Jardin Gem Barr can be imprinted thereon with a name; a ball chain with
Jarl Corinne L.
Tursky John M.
Chop Andrea
Melius Terry Lee
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