Illumination – With container
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-01
2001-10-02
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With container
C362S806000, C428S005000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296366
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to decorative articles used to provide enhancement of the decorative effect provided by gift wrapped packages and to methods and techniques for visually signaling location of gift packages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—Description of the Prior Art
Ribbon, bows and gift wrap paper are known for use to provide decorative enhancement for gift articles, particularly at holidays such as Christmas, Valentines day and on birthdays.
While gift wrapping paper, ribbon and, more recently, pre-tied bows have been used to provide aesthetically pleasing effects for gifts, there is continuing demand for improved and even more aesthetically pleasing effects for association with gift packages. Indeed, consumers exhibit an almost insatiable appetite for more elaborate decor and ornamentation, to make ever more spectacular displays of gifts for exchange at Christmas time, particularly on Christmas morning.
Decorative bow design is a well developed art as exemplified by a number of United States design patents which issued for bows of various forms. The following United States design patents relating generally to bows, represent prior art with respect to this invention: U.S. Pat. Nos. D390,809; D390,808; D386,719; D376,770; D375,280; D350,313; D350,312; D347,406; D344,045; D347,406; D344,045; D343,143; D342,921; D342,464; D342,219; D340,677; D338,628; D333,802; D333,639; D331,728; D328,767; D321,153; D317,733; D313,373; D311,156; D284,487; D298,306; D295,731; D268,743; D258,946 and D249,486.
Additionally evidencing the state of development of the decorative bow art are the following United States utility patents representing prior art with respect to this invention: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,800,881; 5,693,381; 5,683,762; 5,679,416; 5,679,415; 5,645,902; 5,628,846; 5,614,274; 5,609,928; 5,605,728; 5,567,486; 5,545,445; 5,484,496; 5,470,620; 5,468,523; 5,411,774; 5,387,446; 5,292,003; 5,240,750; 5,156,893; 5,114,761; 5,100,706; 4,967,321; 4,957,784; 4,948,636; 4,938,348; 4,937,106; 4,910,051; 4,900,632; 4,895,741; 4,886,687; 4,840,822; 4,822,648; 4,812,338; 4,809,353; 4,780,343; 4,726,509; 4,585,114; 4,554,114; 4,528,217; 4,476,167; 4,339,059; 4,055,840; 3,959,535; 3,922,407; 3,850,293; 3,770,543 and 3,630,810.
Non-patent prior art possibly relevant to the patentability of the instant invention includes a 1992 Christmas catalog entitled “Different Looks” distributed by Berwick Industries, Inc., a catalog flyer entitled “Elegant Ribbons & Bows—Different Looks” distributed circa 1992 by Berwick Industries, Inc. and a twelve page catalog entitled “The Valentine's Collection—Different Looks” distributed circa 1992 by Berwick Industries, Inc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one of its aspects, this invention embraces an article for providing decorative addition to gift packages where the article preferably includes a plurality of preferably meridian-configured loops connected together preferably to define a generally open interior within the meridian-configured loops. The article further preferably includes at least one preferably blinking electrical lamp in the open interior within the meridian-configured loops and preferably connected to at least one of the meridian-configured loops. The article yet further preferably includes at least one battery for powering the lamp and wire connecting the lamp to the battery or other power source with the wire preferably being of sufficient length that the battery may reside within the interior of a rectangular gift package hidden from view or may otherwise be positioned remotely from the meridian-configured loops, with the lamp(s) preferably being positioned on the upper exterior of the package. The article may optionally further include switch means connected to the wire for selectably interrupting electrical connection of the battery or other power source with the lamp(s).
The meridian-configured loops may be of different sizes. In all cases at least some of the meridian-configured loops are preferably connected facingly together.
The meridian-configured loops preferably collectively define a sphere-like shape. Where the loops are of different size, the outermost, preferably largest meridian-configured loops preferably collectively define a sphere-like envelope enclosing smaller meridian-configured loops therewithin.
Some of the meridian-configured loops may be twisted. The meridian-configured loops are preferably connected collectively together at a common location in facing contact one with another.
Preferably at least some of the meridian-configured loops are in vertical planes and the vertical planes are preferably at random angles one to another.
The meridian-configured loops are preferably formed of material strips having essentially unlimited length, finite width and minimal thickness relative to their width. The strips may preferably be from about one-sixteenth ({fraction (1/16)}th) of an inch to about two (2) inches wide; diameter of the meridian-configured loops may range up to six (6) inches or even more.
The width of the material from which a meridian-configured loop is manufactured may vary within the meridian-configured loop.
The lamps are preferably connected to at least some of the meridian-configured loops proximate the location of common meridian-configured loop securement.
The meridian-configured loops are preferably ribbon. The ribbon is preferably opaque or at least substantially opaque and preferably highly reflective. The ribbon may also be partially or fully translucent, fully or partially transparent or have some combination of opaque, transparent and translucent portions.
If the ribbon is at least partially translucent, at least a part of the translucent portion of the ribbon preferably directly faces at least one of the lamps. If the ribbon has a reflective portion, at least a part of the surface of the ribbon which is reflective preferably faces one of the lamps. If the ribbon has a transparent portion, which is preferably colored, at least a part of the transparent portion preferably faces one of the lamps.
The one or more lamps preferably blink when energized. The lamps preferably blink independently one of another, with lamp blinking being controlled by each lamp itself, without a separate blinker unit being provided. When a plurality of lamps are provided, the lamps are preferably of different colors. The colors are selected to be complimentary to the color(s) of the ribbon material(s) from which the meridian-configured loops are formed.
The lamps are preferably longitudinally elongated and of size such that the material forming the meridian-configured loops has transverse width substantially that of the longitudinal elongation of the lamps. Most preferably, the ribbon has an at least partially metalized surface or surface portion, to present a shiny appearance, or is otherwise treated to provide a shiny appearance. The ribbon is most desirably sufficiently stiff and yet sufficiently malleable as to be preferably essentially self-supporting when formed into a meridian-configured loop.
In another of its aspects this invention embraces a method for visually signaling location of gift package by providing a plurality of meridian-configured loops connected together to define a generally open interior within the meridian-configured loops, positioning at least one preferably blinking electrical lamp within the open interior, providing at least one battery or other source of power for powering the lamp(s), connecting the battery to the lamp(s) with wire of sufficient length that the battery may reside within the interior of a rectangular gift package, hidden from view, while the meridian-configured loops and lamp(s) may reside on the upper exterior of the package. The package may have edge length five (5) or even ten (10) times that of the diameter of the spherical shape(s) into which the meridian-configured loops have been formed. Preferably the lamp(s) self-energizes into a blinking state when powered.
In another of its aspects, the invention may be practiced without a
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Sember Thomas M.
LandOfFree
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