WO2016079548A1

WO2016079548A1 - Assemblable and disassemblable decoration

Info

Publication number: WO2016079548A1
Application number: PCT/HU2015/050017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Judit BALLA-BOLGAR; Szabolcs BALLA
Original assignee: Ponte Fejleszto Kft.
Priority date: 2014-11-20
Filing date: 2015-11-12
Publication date: 2016-05-26
Also published as: HUP1400548A2

Abstract

The object of the invention relates to an assemblable and disassemblable decoration (50'). The essence of the invention is that it contains a frame sheet (10a) with at least one translucent area (18) that can be bent into a truncated cone shaped frame structure (10b), and, when assembled, it contains a decorative surface (20, 20') with at least one translucent area (18', 18") carried by the frame structure (10b) in such a way that the at least one translucent area (18', 18") of the decorative surface (20, 20') and the at least one translucent area (18) of the frame structure (10b) at least partly overlap.

Description

ASSEMBLABLE AND DISASSEMBLABLE DECORATION

The object of the invention relates to assemblage and disassemblable decoration.

With the spreading of environmentally aware thinking an increasing number of families are deciding to purchase artificial Christmas trees, which have several advantages over traditional trees. While a living pine tree reaches the desired size over the course of many years and then dies over the festive season, an artificial Christmas tree may be used again and again for several years. Buying an artificial tree means trees can be protected, which reduces soil erosion and sustains habitats for the fauna and flora. Apart from this artificial Christmas trees also have other advantages. Their shape is regular and symmetrical, they do not shed their needles and their branches are not prickly. With the appearance of new types of plastics and technologies it has become possible to manufacture increasingly life-like Christmas trees. Starting from the older, PVC plastic, sparsely branched Christmas trees, today it is now possible to obtain completely realistic Christmas trees with three-dimensional needles. It is possible to differentiate between two groups of them on the basis of the connection of the branches. In the case of the construction with attachable branches, the appropriate branch needs to be attached to a rail established on the trunk or into rings supplied with other markings, in this way the Christmas tree is constructed level-by-level. In the case of the other, simpler solution, the branches are fixed to the truck with a band, so they just have to be folded outwards. In the case of certain types, needles of several sizes are used in the interest of obtaining a thick, abundant effect, and the branches are combined with injection-moulded PE (polyethylene) tips. Apart from being practical, the artificial Christmas trees used to a wide extent at present have a great disadvantage in that even when disassembled storing them requires a relatively large amount of space, which represents a problem especially for those living in smaller homes. The aim of the invention is to provide an artificial Christmas tree which can be stored in a significantly smaller space, and which is novel as compared to the trees according to the state of the art in terms of its spectacle, and intuitive and creative functions.

The aim of the invention is also to provide a decoration that may be easily disassembled and assembled and that, as a result of its replaceable shell, can be used not just as an artificial Christmas tree but also as a decorative device suiting other occasions.

The invention is based on the recognition that a three-dimensional decoration may be created by appropriately bending a two-dimensional surface, so that the decoration may be stored in a space-saving way when it is in its disassembled (folded out) state.

The task in accordance with the invention is solved with an assemblage and disassemblable decoration that contains a frame sheet with at least one translucent area that can be bent into a truncated cone shaped frame structure and, when assembled, it contains a decorative surface with at least one translucent area carried by the frame structure in such a way that the at least one translucent area of the decorative surface and the at least one translucent area of the frame structure at least partly overlap.

A further advantage of the decoration according to the invention is that it may be disassembled without causing damage to it and then assembled once again.

In the case of a preferable embodiment of the invention, the decoration contains a light source that may be arranged within the frame structure.

The individual preferable embodiments of the invention are determined in the dependent claims.

The further details of the invention are presented in embodiments, with the help of drawings. In the drawings

Figure 1 a illustrates an outline image of the first embodiment of a frame- sheet of a decoration according to the invention in spread-out state,

Figure 1 b illustrates an outline image of a second embodiment of a frame- sheet of a decoration according to the invention in spread-out state, Figure 1 c illustrates an outline image of a third embodiment of a frame- sheet of a decoration according to the invention in spread-out state,

Figure 2 illustrates an outline image of a cover sheet of a decoration according to the invention in spread-out state,

Figure 3 illustrates an outline image of the first embodiment of an assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to the invention in assembled state,

Figure 4a illustrates an outline image of an exemplary embodiment of a closing sheet of a decoration according to the invention in spread out state,

Figure 4b illustrates 4b an outline image of an exemplary embodiment of a closing sheet of a decoration according to the invention,

Figure 4c illustrates 4b an outline image of another exemplary embodiment of a closing sheet of a decoration according to the invention,

Figure 5 illustrates an outline image of a second embodiment of the assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to the invention in assembled state.

In Figure 1 a a preferable embodiment of the frame sheet 10a of the decoration according to the invention can be seen in spread out state. In Figure 3 the frame sheet 10a can be seen bent to form a truncated cone-shaped frame structure 10b. With respect to its material, it is a flexible sheet, plastic in the present embodiment (for example, Bayer Vivak, Bayer Axpet PET), but naturally other materials may also be considered, like water-clear plexiglass for example. Fixing elements 14 that can be mutually connected to each other are arranged along the two longitudinal sides 12 of the frame sheet 10A. The fixing elements 14 may be positioned all along the longitudinal sides 12, or they may be positioned discretely. The fixing elements may be, for example, magnets, hook and loop tape, press studs, but, naturally, any known, releasable form of fixing may be considered. Preferably the frame sheet 10a includes at least one decoration set fastener 16 located on its internal and/or external side, which is established as a magnetic and/or catch and/or hook and loop and/or press stud and/or hook and/or other releasable connection, and serves for the hanging of decorations supplied with appropriate complementary fasteners. Such a decoration set may also form an accessory of the decoration according to the invention. The frame sheet 10a according to the invention has at least one translucent area 18. In the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 a, there is a translucent sheet over the entire surface of the frame sheet 10a, therefore in this case the entire frame sheet 10a is considered as a translucent area 18.

Another preferable embodiment of the frame sheet 10a according to the invention can be seen in Figure 1 b. Identical elements have been given identical reference numbers. In the following the differences as compared to the first embodiment will be detailed.

In the case of the present embodiment, the frame sheet 10a also includes a translucent area 18 of any desired shape. In the case of this embodiment the translucent area 18 is created by using translucent material or with at least one closed or open contour aperture made in the surface, while the other areas of the frame sheet 10a are opaque.

Figure 1 c shows a third preferable embodiment of the frame sheet 10a according to the invention. Identical elements have been given identical reference numbers. In the following the differences as compared to the second embodiment will be detailed.

In the case of this embodiment, the decoration according to the invention includes a decorative surface 20 carried by the frame sheet 10a. The decorative surface 20 is established on the frame sheet 10a by printing (solvent-based, screen printing, sublimation transfer, offset, direct panel printing, etc.) or by the application of a sticker, but, naturally, other known application techniques may be considered. In the case of a preferable embodiment, the materials used for making the decorative surface 20 are waterproof, therefore making it possible to use the invention outdoors. In the case of another possible embodiment, the decoration imitates an artificial fir tree, and the decorative surface 20 contains a pine tree pattern. Naturally, any other desired pattern may be considered that suits another occasion (e.g. Easter, Halloween, a wedding, etc.), or that provides a decorative background (e.g. coast, forest, city, etc.).

The decorative surface 20 also has a translucent area 18', which may be created by not printing onto the frame sheet 10a at the location of the translucent area 18', in a given case a coloured layer is printed there. A further possibility is that there are apertures in the frame sheet 10a at the location of the translucent area18'. Naturally, other obvious solutions may be considered by a person skilled in the art.

In the case of a further preferable embodiment, the entire surface of the decorative surface is translucent, therefore, in this case the area outside of the translucent areas marked 18' is also translucent, in other words it also contains one or more translucent areas 18". The translucence characteristics of the individual translucent areas 18' and 18" may vary, for example no printing is performed at the location of the translucent areas 18', while a partially translucent decorative surface 20 is created at the location of the translucent areas 18".

Figure 2 shows an embodiment in which the decorative surface 20' is not created on the frame sheet 10a, instead it may be found on the one side of a separate cover sheet 22, which the frame structure 10b created by bending the frame sheet 10a carries when the decoration 50 according to the invention is in assembled state (see Figure 3). The decorative surface 20' (and so the cover sheet 22 also) also has at least one translucent area 18', around which there may be a translucent area 18" with a different degree of translucence.

The translucent areas 18' may also be established, as previously stated, by, for example, not printing on the cover sheet 22 at the location of the translucent area 18', or by printing a translucent or, in a given case, coloured layer onto it. Another possibility is by making closed or open contour apertures, shaped holes in the cover sheet 22 at the location of the translucent area 18'.

In the case of a further preferable embodiment, the entire surface of the cover sheet 22, and of its decorative surface 20' are translucent, but to differing degrees, in this way translucent areas 18' and 18" with different translucence characteristics can be established.

The cover sheet 22 is created to be able to be bent into a conical shell 24 (see Figure 3), the dimensions of which are such that it is able to completely or partially cover the truncated cone shaped frame structure 10b. With respect to its material, in the case of the present embodiment, it is a flexible, photo-quality printable plastic sheet, but, naturally, other materials may also be considered. The thickness of the cover sheet 22, with respect to the material, is selected so that when bent into a cone shape, the two longitudinal sides 12' of the cover sheet 22 meet at the pinnacle 27. There are fixing elements 14 that can also be mutually connected to each other arranged along the two longitudinal sides 12' of the cover sheet 22. The fixing elements 14 of the cover sheet 22, similarly to the fixing elements of the frame sheet 10a, may be positioned continuously or discretely along the longitudinal sides 12', and they may be, for example, magnets, hook and loop tape, press studs, but, naturally, any other known, releasable form of fixing may be considered.

The decoration set fasteners 16 in this case are not only arranged on the frame sheet 10a, but apart from or instead of there, they may be positioned on the decorative surface 20' and/or on the side of the cover sheet 22 opposite to the decorative surface 20'. The positions of the decoration set fasteners 16 may be marked graphically in another way.

Figure 3 illustrates a preferable embodiment of the decoration 50 according to the invention, which may be assembled using the frame sheet 10a according to Figure 1 a and the cover sheet 22 according to Figure 2. In the case of the decoration 50, the shell 24 obtained by bending the cover sheet 22 partially or completely covers the truncated cone shaped frame structure 10b obtained by bending the frame sheet 10a. The shell 24 carrying the decorative surface 20' can be easily replaced, therefore, by changing the shell 24 the decoration 50 can receive an appearance to suit the occasion (e.g. Christmas, Easter, Halloween, a wedding, etc.).

If the frame sheet 10 according to Figure 1 b is used in the decoration 50 care should be taken that the frame structure 10b and the shell 24 are arranged with respect to each other so that at least one translucent area 18 of the frame structure 10b and at least one translucent area 18' of the shell 24 at least partially overlap. Markings may be placed on the frame sheet 10a and on the cover sheet 22 in order to make this easier.

In the case of the present embodiment, a light fitting 26 with a wide angle of illumination (preferably, for example, a LED light source) is located within the decoration 50 to provide transillumination. The power for the light fitting 26 may come from the mains power supply or from a battery. Naturally, it is also possible that the decoration 50 does not have a light fitting 26, and in this case the user may use his own light source (for example, a table lamp, tea light, battery lamp, etc.). A second light fitting 26' may also be positioned near to the pinnacle 27 of the decoration. This light fitting 26', which preferably has a small angle of illumination and is suitable for projecting, transmits light through the translucent areas 18' formed at the pinnacle 27 and projects their patterns onto the ceiling or wall. The power supply for the second projecting light fitting 26' may also come from the mains power supply or from a battery.

In the case of another preferable embodiment, the projecting function is performed by a projection device designed for this purpose, which, for example, is located on the pinnacle 27 of the decoration 50.

An exemplary embodiment of the closing sheet 28 according to the invention may be seen in Figure 4a, which may be bent into a cone shape closing element 30a preferably with a cone angle equal to the cone angle of the truncated cone shaped frame structure 10b (see Figure 5). The dimensions of the closing element 30a are such that it makes the truncated cone of the frame structure 10b into a complete cone.

With respect to its material, in the case of the present embodiment, the closing sheet 28 is a flexible, photo-quality printable plastic sheet, but, naturally, other materials may also be considered. Fixing elements 14 that can be mutually connected to each other are arranged along the two longitudinal sides 12' of the closing sheet 28. The fixing elements 14 may be positioned all along the longitudinal sides 12', or they may be positioned discretely. The fixing elements may be, for example, magnets, hook and loop tape, press studs, but, naturally, any known, releasable form of fixing may be considered

There is also a decorative surface 20' established on the closing sheet 28. Preferably, the decorative surface 20' (and so the closing sheet 28 also) has at least one translucent area 18'.

In this case also the translucent areas 18' maybe established, for example, by no printing being performed on the closing sheet 28 at the location of the translucent area 18', or by printing a translucent or, in a given case, a coloured layer onto it. Another possibility is that closed or open contour apertures, shaped holes, are formed at the location of the translucent area 18'.

In the case of another preferable embodiment, the entire surface of the closing sheet 28 and of its decorative surface 20' is translucent, therefore, in this case the part outside of the translucent areas marked 18' is translucent, in other words that also contains one or more translucent areas 18". At this time the translucence properties of the individual translucent areas 18' and 18" preferably differ.

In the case of an exemplary embodiment, decoration set fasteners 16 are located on one or both sides of the closing sheet 28.

Figure 4b shows another example of a closing element 30b. The closing element 30b according to Figure 4b differs from the embodiment presented in Figure 5 in that the closing element 30b has the shape of a spherical segment, into which the upper edge of the truncated cone of the frame structure 10b fits.

Figure 4c shows another example of a closing element, which is similar to the pinnacle decoration of a Christmas tree.

Another exemplary embodiment of the decoration 50' according to the invention may be seen in Figure 5, which received its frame structure 10b by the bending of the frame sheet 10a according to Figure 1 c, and includes the closing sheet 28 according to Figure 4a. The closing element 30a partially covering the frame structure 10b and supplementing the frame structure 10b to make it into a full cone may be bent from the latter. The joint between the frame structure 10b and the closing element 30a may be covered with a decorative ribbon 25.

In the present embodiment also, a wide illumination angle light fitting 26 serving transillumination may be positioned within the decoration 50'. The power supply for the light fitting 26 may come from the mains supply or from a battery. But, naturally, it is also possible for the user to use his own light source (for example, table lamp, tea light, etc.).

A small illumination angle projection light fitting 26' may also be arranged here in the vicinity of the pinnacle 27 of the decoration 50', which may be powered from the mains electricity supply or from a battery.

In the following the assembly and operation of the decorations 50, 50' according to the invention and depicted in Figures 3 and 5 will be presented.

In order to assemble the decoration 50 shown in Figure 3, a truncated cone is bent from the frame sheet 10a shown in Figure 1 a or 1 b in such a way that the longitudinal sides 12 come into contact with each other all along their lengths, then they are fixed together using the fixing elements 14 that can be mutually connected to each other. The cone shaped shell 24 is placed on the frame structure 10b obtained in the above way, which is obtained by appropriately bending the cover sheet 22 shown in Figure 2, in such a way that the longitudinal sides 12' of the cover sheet 22 forming the conical shell are fixed together with the fixing elements 14.

When fitting together the frame structure 10b made from the frame sheet 10a shown in Figure 1 b and the shell 24, care should be taken to ensure that the translucent area 18 of the frame structure 10b and the translucent areas 18, 18' of the shell 24 at least partially overlap. In order to make this easier, for example, markings may be applied to the frame sheet 10a and to the cover sheet 22. In the case of the frame sheet 10a shown in Figure 1 a, the shell 24 may be arranged as desired on the frame structure 10b, as its entire surface is translucent.

In order to assemble the decoration 50' shown in Figure 5, the frame sheet 10a shown in Figure 1 c is bent into a truncated cone shaped frame structure 10b in such a way that the longitudinal sides 12 are fixed together with the fixing elements. After this the cone shaped closing element 30a is bent from the closing sheet 28 shown in Figure 4a. Here also the longitudinal sides 12' of the closing sheet 28 are fixed to each other using the fixing elements 14. The connection made using the fixing elements 14 may be released without causing damage in the cases of the frame structure 10b, the shell 24 and also the closing element 30a, so they can be assembled and disassembled numerous times. After disassembling the frame structure 10b, the shell 24 and the closing element 30a into flat sheets, these sheets may be rolled up into a cylinder, so their storage takes up especially little space. The closing element 30a is fitted to the upper edge of the truncated cone of the frame structure 10b in such a way that the closing element 30a supplements the frame structure 10b to make it a complete cone. An opaque decoration ribbon 25 may be used to conceal the joint created at the meeting of the closing element 30a and the frame structure 10b.

In the case of other embodiments, for example, the truncated cone shaped frame structure 10b may be closed off with the closing elements 30b or 30c.

Preferably a light fitting 26 with a wide angle of illumination, which is responsible for transillumination, and a second light fitting 26', preferably with a small angle of illumination, responsible for performing the projection function are placed within the assembled decorations 50, 50' (for example, on a stand or suspended within the frame structure 10b).

The light fitting 26 evenly transilluminates the decorations 50, 50' from within through the translucent areas 18, 18' and 18". Through this the translucent areas 18, 18', and 18" may display various patterns, which are even visible in the dark.

The light fitting 26' directed at the pinnacle 27 of the cone is positioned near to the pinnacle 27, and its light shines through the translucent areas 18' formed at the pinnacle 27, and, in a given case, through the translucent area 18" serving as a background, and projects their patterns onto the ceiling or wall. If the light rays arriving at the translucent areas 18' are not perpendicular but at a flatter angle, the projected image is distorted. This effect may be preferably taken into account when drawing the contours of the translucent areas 18'.

The advantage of the decoration 50, 50' according to the invention is that due to the combination of the use of translucent materials, photo-quality printing and internal illumination, it is possible to provide a visually realistic appearance providing a 3-dimensional effect on a flat surface, which is aided by bending the flat surface into a cone shape or truncated cone shape.

It is obvious that a person skilled in the art may also consider alternative solutions as compared to the embodiments presented here, which, however, fall within the sphere of protection determined with the claims.

Claims

1 . Assemblage and disassemblable decoration, characterised by that it contains a frame sheet (10a) with at least one translucent area (18) that can be bent into a truncated cone shaped frame structure (10b), and, when assembled, it contains a decorative surface (20, 20') with at least one translucent area (18', 18") carried by the frame structure (10b) in such a way that the at least one translucent area (18', 18") of the decorative surface (20, 20') and the at least one translucent area (18) of the frame structure (10b) at least partly overlap.

2. The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to claim 1 , characterised by that the decorative surface (20') is established on a cover sheet (22) that may be bent into a cone shaped shell (24) suitably dimensioned to cover the truncated cone shaped frame structure (10a).

3. The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to claim 1 , characterised by that the decorative surface (20) is established on the frame sheet (10a), and the decoration (50') includes a closing element (30a, 30b, 30c) that may be placed on the truncated cone shaped frame structure (10b).

4. The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to claim 3, characterised by that the closing element (30a) is conical, the cone angle of which is preferably substantially the same as the cone angle of the truncated cone shaped frame structure (10b).

5. The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to claim 3, characterised by that the closing element (30b, 30c) is spherical, pyramidal, rectangular, star shaped or has another shape.

6. The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to any of claims 3-5, characterised by that the closing element (30a, 30b, 30c) contains at least one translucent area (18', 18").

7. The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to any of claims 1 -6, characterised by that there are fixing elements (14) that mutually connect to one another arranged along the two longitudinal sides (12) of the frame sheet (10a).

8. The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to claim 7, characterised by that the fixing elements (14) that mutually connect to one another are formed by hook and loop tape.

9. The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to any of claims 1 -8, characterised by that the at least one translucent area (18, 18', 18") of the frame sheet (10a), and the decorative surface (20, 20') are realised using translucent material or using at least one aperture created in the frame sheet (10a) and in the decorative surface (20, 20').

10. The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to any of claims 1 -9, characterised by that it contains at least one light fitting (26, 26') positioned within the frame structure (10b).

1 1 . The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to any of claims 1 -10, characterised by that it includes at least one decoration set fastener (16) located on the decorative surface (20, 20') and/or on the frame sheet (10a).

12. The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to claim

1 1 , characterised by that the at least one decoration set fastener (16) is a magnetic and/or hook and loop and/or ring and/or hook and/or other releasable connection element.

13. The assemblage and disassemblable decoration according to any of claims 1 1 -12, characterised by that the location of the at least one decoration set fastener (16) is marked on the decorative surface (20, 20') using a graphic or other method.

14. The assemblable and disassemblable decoration according to any of claims 1 -13, characterised by that the decorative surface (20, 20') contains a fir tree pattern.