The present invention relates to an adornment and more particularly to a memory shape retaining adornment that releasably receives an article such as a stem of a piece of stemware or a napkin, and a method of making such an adornment.
Past attempts to make wine charms and stemware adornments have proven unsatisfactory because they generally do not last long, easily fall off, or break because of fatigue. What is needed is an adornment that is more durable, more versatile, and which is more stably retained on a stemware stem or a napkin.
An adornment that includes a helical segment that is releasably received and remains retained on an object, that preferably is a stem of a wine glass, some other stemware, or a napkin or the like. The adornment preferably comprises a preformed helical segment that is constructed and arranged to snap onto the stemware stem, wraparound the object, or receive the object and remain wrapped around by its wrap around shape. It preferably includes at least one means for uniquely identifying the adornment that can comprise an indicia that is attached or mounted to the segment.
One preferred adornment construction includes a helical segment of wire that has a head at each end that snaps onto the stem such that each head comes into contact with part of the stem. The arrangement forms a cradle that is releasably retained on the stem. The helical shape is retained after repeated use such that the adornment can be used over and over again without fatiguing and breaking, without easily falling off of the stem after attachment, and without its constituent pieces coming apart.
Another preferred adornment construction includes a helical segment of wire that carries a plurality of objects, such as beads, balls, or the like, which are decorative and can comprise indicia. The adornment forms a generally helical cradle of wraparound construction that receives and retains an object that preferably is a piece of fabric, namely a napkin or the like. If desired, the segment can have a head at each end that facilitates receipt of the fabric piece.
In one preferred method, a segment of wire is wrapped around a generally cylindrical mandrel to perform it. A plurality of components is attached using an adhesive. The mandrel can have a helical groove in which the wire becomes seated during forming to help impart to it a desired helical configuration. Preferably, the forming step also imparts to the preformed segment a shape memory so it retains its helical shape during repeated use. Where the wire is comprised of metal or is of metallic construction, the adhesive preferably is a low blooming adhesive to prevent discoloration of the wire. Each head, as well as any indicia, can comprise a bead that can be made of a plastic, preferably acrylic.
Objects, features and advantages include one or more of the following: an adornment that snaps on and off a stemware stem; an adornment that receives and retains a napkin; an adornment that retains its shape after repeated use; an adornment of shape memory construction; an adornment that releasably attaches to a stemware stem but which is not easy to remove during use; and an adornment that is durable, resilient, washable, long lasting, of economical construction, which is of elegant construction, inexpensive to make, easy to use, and simple to maintain.
Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which:
The piece of stemware 34 shown in
The adornment 30 includes a stem cradle 36 constructed and arranged to enable the adornment 30 to be releasably received and retained on the stem 32. In one preferred construction, the cradle 36 is formed so as to facilitate snapping or clipping of the adornment 30 onto a stem 32. The cradle 36 preferably is preformed and substantially rigid yet somewhat flexible so as to expand or flex at least slightly to accommodate such a stem 32 as the adornment 30 is being clipped thereon. By being substantially rigid and yet resilient, the cradle 36 can also slightly flex to permit the adornment 30 to be easily removed from the stem 32. A stemware adornment 30 equipped with a stem cradle 36 of the invention preferably comprises a clip that releasably snaps onto the stem 32 of a piece of stemware 34.
While being carried by a stem 32, the substantially rigid or shape memory retaining nature of the cradle 36 prevents sagging or other undesired deformation from occurring while on the stem 32. As a result, an adornment 30 of the invention remains coiled uprightly around a portion of the axial length of a stem during use. The cradle 36 thus functions as a supporting spine or frame for the adornment 30 such that the adornment is self-supporting and retains its shape during use and storage enabling repeated use.
In the preferred adornment embodiments depicted in
In one preferred embodiment, the adornment 30 is constructed so as to coil itself between one turn and one and a quarter turns around the stem 32 and has an axial length such that one end 48 is axially spaced at least one inch from its other end 50. Such an arrangement assures that the adornment 30 will wrap around the stem 32 along at least a third of the axial length of the stem 32 upon which the adornment is mounted. In a preferred embodiment, the adornment 30 has an axial length of at least two inches so as to wrap around at least about one half the axial length of the stem 32.
The cradle 36 preferably comprises a filament 52 that preferably is wire. Where single filament wire 52 is used, the wire has a thickness of no less than 0.038 inch to help ensure it will be stiff enough, yet pliable enough, to be preformed into a wraparound shape that will facilitate mounting and releasable retention of the adornment 30 onto a stem 32 of a piece of stemware 34. In one preferred embodiment, the wire 52 has a diameter of at least 0.045 inch or thicker and preferably is 18 gauge or thicker.
In one preferred embodiment, the wire is a jewelry grade wire that preferably is German-type jewelry wire or the like. A suitable wire 52 is comprised of metal, preferably copper, that preferably is coated or filled with silver or gold. Where a silver coating or filling is used, the silver preferably is sterling silver so as to minimize tarnishing and to make the adornment easy to clean or shine. The type of wire 52 selected preferably has at least some shape memory to substantially retain its preformed wraparound shape. As is shown in
Where a generally helical shape is employed, each cradle end preferably comprises a generally straight leg 54 and 56. In a preferred cradle embodiment shown in more detail in
A plurality of indicia 38 are carried by the stem cradle 36. Each indicia 38 helps make the adornment 30 unique so as to help identify who is using or owns the piece of stemware 34 on which the adornment 30 is mounted. In one preferred embodiment, each indicia 38 comprises a decorative piece 58 that is captured on the stem cradle 36. In one preferred embodiment, at least one of the decorative pieces 58 are movable relative to the cradle 36 so as to add a visually pleasing moving element to the adornment 30 during glass movement. In a preferred embodiment, one or more decorative pieces 58 comprise beads 60 that each have a bore therethrough through which a portion the stem cradle 36 is received.
Each adornment preferably also has a pair of heads 62 and 64 with one head 62 disposed at one end of the stem cradle 36 and the other head 64 disposed at the other end of the cradle. If desired, each head 62 and 64 can be part of the cradle 36 or can be integrally formed with the cradle. For example, although not shown, each cradle leg 54 and 56 can be formed with a turnback or the like that serves as a head. In the preferred embodiments shown in
As is shown in
Referring more specifically to
The adornment carrier 72 has a pocket 74 for each adornment 30 received in the package. In a preferred embodiment, each pocket 74 is generally vee-shaped or triangular and has a length at least slightly greater than the axial length of the adornment. The carrier 72 is formed of a single panel 106 that is comprised of a plurality of bellows 108 defined by pleats 110 that collectively define adornment-receiving pockets 74. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier 72 is formed of a single pleated paper panel. If desired, plastic or another material can be used.
In one currently preferred package embodiment 70, the packages insert is of one-piece construction that includes the adornment carrier 72 and panel 86. The insert can be of one-piece and unitary construction. In another preferred embodiment, at least one of the adornment carrier 72 and panel 86 is fixed, such as by an adhesive or the like, to an underlying backing that can be flap 96.
Each adornment is curled into a generally helical segment that forms a wraparound cradle 160 in which an article is releasably received and retained. Each fabric receiving adornment 30′ preferably has a thickness or diameter of at least 18 gauge. Preferably, each fabric receiving adornment is comprised of a segment of aluminum wire 152 that has a thickness or diameter of at least about 9 gauge (≈2.9 mm) and preferably at least 8 gauge (≈3.2 mm).
The coil of wire 112 is manipulated so as to separate a length that is wrapped around a portion of the measuring fixture 114. The fixture 114 is equipped with a wire-receiving groove 122 into which wire is disposed. The fixture 114 is used to measure a length of wire that preferably is no more than about three inches in length. The fixture 114 is made of wood but another material, such as plastic, could be used. With the wire in the fixture 114 so as to ensure the resultant cradle formed therefrom will have an acceptable length, the pliers 116 are manipulated to cut the wire 112, preferably at a location adjacent one corner of the fixture 114.
Referring more particularly to
In a preferred embodiment, the cradle 36 is preformed in such a manner so as to create an interference fit with a stem 32 of stemware 34. In a preferred embodiment, the cradle 36 is preformed so as to impart the adornment 30 with an interference fit when mounted to a stem 32 when equipped with heads 62 and 64. The interference fit preferably is a snap fit such that the cradle 36 or adornment 30 snaps onto a stem 32.
Referring to
In a preferred method of attachment, both heads 62 and 64 are bonded to the cradle using an adhesive 120 that preferably is acrylic-based. One such preferred adhesive is cyanoacrylate glue. A preferred adhesive is a low blooming adhesive that preferably is a low blooming cyanoacrylate, such as low blooming super glue or a low blooming “CRAZY” glue. A low blooming adhesive advantageously dries clear and helps minimize white residue formation on the wire, each head, and any of the indicia that are bonded to the wire.
In use, a stemware adornment 30 of the invention is grasped and maneuvered against a stem 32 of a piece of stemware 34 such that each head 62 and 64 is in contact with the stem 32 at an initial point of contact. At this point in a method of mounting the adornment 30 to a stem 32, the adornment is positioned such that its central axis is disposed at an acute angle relative to the central axis of the stem. The adornment 30 is then rotated slightly so that its axis moves toward the axis of the stem 32. This causes pressure on each head 62 and 64 as a result of bearing against the stem 32 to increase, flexing the cradle 36 at least slightly to accommodate the rotation. As a result, each head 62 and 64 slides and rotates slightly moving the point of contact away from the initial point of contact and causing the adornment 30 to snap onto the stem. When mounted in the manner depicted in
When mounted to a stem 32, the adornment self-supports itself in an upright position in the manner shown in
A stemware adornment of the invention clings to the stem of the piece of stemware such that rapid movement, jostling, bumping or the like will not cause the adornment to break free of the stem. Advantageously, construction is more robust and reliable as no closure is needed. The adornment wraps around a stem of the glass in such a manner that it appears to become part of the glass in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
To remove the adornment 30 from the stem 32, the adornment 30 is grasped and rotated in an opposite direction until both heads 62 and 64 clear the stem 32 thereby disengaging the adornment 30 from the stem 32. During rotation, the cradle 36 flexes slightly to permit one or both heads 62 and 64 to clear the stem 32 so as to disengage the adornment 30. Thereafter, the adornment 30 can be stored, such as in the package 70 shown in
It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention, to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications and constructions as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present invention, therefore, is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/391,286, filed Jun. 24, 2002, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60391286 | Jun 2002 | US |