WO1988002995A1

WO1988002995A1 - Artificial flower

Info

Publication number: WO1988002995A1
Application number: PCT/US1987/001985
Authority: WO
Inventors: Debra Jo Sanders
Original assignee: Diversco Products, Inc.
Priority date: 1986-10-27
Filing date: 1987-08-10
Publication date: 1988-05-05

Abstract

An artificial flower (11) and method of forming the same from an article of clothing (15). The flower (11) comprises an article of clothing (15) having decorative trim (19) disposed along portions thereof. The clothing (15) is folded to form the shape of a flower (11), with the decorative trim (19) extending thereabout to define upper and side edge portions of flower petals forming the flower (11). The folded article of clothing (15) is attached to a supporting stem (13). Underwear or other items of apparel may be used as the article of clothing (15) to form the flower (11).

Description

ARTIFICIAL FLOWER

FIELD-OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a structure and method for forming an artificial flower. Flowers have traditionally served as gifts and decorative articles for many occasions. They may be utilized to express a variety of different sentiments depending upon the occasion. Frequently they are used to express romantic and celebrative emotions. Natural flowers have a limited life before they must be disgarded. Artificial flowers retain their shape and color much longer, though they are not cusomarily utilized as a means for expressing romantic or humorous sentiments. Various types of artificial flowers have been produced including "silk" flowers, and flowers formed of plastic materials.

Artifical flowers have been sold for many years.

Such artificial flowers include "silk" flowers, and flowers formed of plastic materials. However, such artificial flowers have heretofore not been formed of articles of clothing, such as underwear.

Different articles of clothing may convey cfifferent sentiments to the recipient. Utilization of a an undergarment to form the flower may, for example, express a different sentiment, such as romance or humor, quite distinct from that expressed where, for example, the flower if formed of a folded tie.

It is anticipated that various articles of clothing and types of materials may be used to convey sentiments appropriate for various occasions.

Summary of the Invention

An artificial flower and method of forming the same from an article of clothing is disclosed. The flower comprises an article of clothing having decorative trim disposed along portions thereof. The clothing is folded to form the shape of a flower, with the decorative trim extending thereabout to define upper and side edge portions of flower petals forming the flower. The folded article of clothing is attached to a supporting stem.

Underwear or other items of apparel may be used as the article of clothing to form the flower.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figures 1 and 2 are front perspective views of an exemplary artificial flower formed in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Presently Preferred Embodiment The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended merely as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequence of steps for construction of the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiment. It is to be understood, however, that the same, or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, an artificial flower 11 is shown therein. The artificial flower comprises a stem 13, a folded article of clothing 15, and leaves 17. The article of clothing 15 may be cotton or silk underwear formed to have a decorative trim 19 disposed about edge portions and a front panel thereof. The decorative trim 19 may be sewn to the article of clothing along seam 21.

Various types and styles of materials and decorative trim may be used to form the article of clothing 15. Additionally, the article of clothing 15 may be folded in different ways to simulate different types of flowers and flower petal patterns. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the article of clothing 15 is folded to generally assume the shape of a young, slightly budding rose; with the decorative trim 19 defining top and side edge portions of the flower petals. It is anticipated, however, that the article of clothing may be formed such that the decorative trim 19 extends radially about the side of the folded article of clothing in an overlapping fashion, such that the article of clothing will appear to have petals terminating at various vertical portions along the height of the folding article of clothing 15.

The folded article of clothing 15 may be secured to stem 13 in a number of different ways. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 , the stem 13 extends into the folded article of clothing and a length of material 23, such as floral tape, secures the folded article of clothing 15 in place about a first end 25 of stem 13. It is anticipated that around other embodiments a length of material may be wrapped radially about the first end 25 of stem 13, and about a portion of the folded article of clothing 15, to secure the article of clothing 15 to the stem 13. In each case, the folded article of clothing 15 is secured to and supported by the stem 13. Various methods may be used to form the article of clothing into flower, or flower bud shape. The particular manner of folding will depend upon the floral pattern to be formed and the location of the decorative trim on the particular clothing article used. Where the clothing article is womens underwear, having lace along peripheral portions and in front panels, it has been found to be preferable to first fold the underwear in a tri-fold manner with the front panel facing upward. The underwear may then be rolled about an upper portion of the stem and taped together, using floral tape or some other material, to secure the underwear about the stem. The rolling step is typically performed such that the underwear is rolled at an angle so that the lower portion of the rolled underwear is narrower than other portions of the rolled underwear, thereby facilitating engagement of the stem by the rolled underwear. Decorative trim along the front panel may thereby form a vertically oriented design on the rolled article of clothing, with lace along the bottom of the underwear forming the top of the flower. As will be readily apparent, clothing articles having different patterns of decorative trim may be folded in a different manner to simulate different floral designs.

Stem 13 may also be provided with a plurality of thorns 27 extending along the length of the stem 13. It is to be understood that the thorns 27 are optional and may be omitted in some embodiments.

As previously discussed, various modifications and substitutions may be affected to implement the structure and function of the portions of the artificial flower without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A artificial flower comprising: an article of clothing having decorative trim along edge portions thereof, said article of clothing being folded to form the shape of a flower; and a support stem connected to said folded article of clothing.

2. The artificial flower as recited in Claim 1 wherein the decorative trim extends along the side and upper periphery of the folded article of clothing to define edge portion of a flower-petal pattern.

3. The artificial flower as recited in Claim 1 wherein the article of clothing comprises underwear.

4. A method of displaying an article of clothing having decorative trim along the surface thereof comprising: folding an article of clothing to form the shape of a flower, said decorative trim defining top and side edge portions of the flower; and securing the folded article of clothing adjacent to a first end of a support stem.

5. The method as recited in Claim 4, wherein the step of securing comprises extending the support stem into the folded article of clothing and taping portions of the folded article of clothings together about the stem.

6. The method as recited in Claim 4, wherein the article of clothing is folded to form a young rose and the decorative trim defines edge portions of a flower-petal pattern.