DECORATIVE BOW

FIELD

These teachings relate to a bow that may be used for decorating or enhancing the presentation of an object.

BACKGROUND

A bow can be attached to an object to enhance the presentation of the object. For example, a bow can be used to decorate various objects like beverages, packages, gift cards, gifts, and the like.

Some bows are pre-formed and are available for purchase in a pre-formed, three-dimensional configuration. However, some preformed bows may be deformed, smashed, or otherwise damaged during storage and/or transporting. While some bows can be folded or formed into a three-dimensional configuration after they are purchased or transported, forming some bows can be complicated, tedious, and time consuming. Moreover, after some preformed bows are attached to an object, there is risk that the bow will fall off during transporting and/or handling of the object.

It may therefore be desirable to have a bow that can be used to decorate and/or enhance the presentation of an object, while also overcoming at least some of the aforementioned challenges. For example, it may be desirable to have a bow that is part of the object or packaging, and can be quickly and easily formed into a three-dimension configuration. For example, it may be desirable to have a bow that can be purchased, stored, and/or transported in a flat, 2-dimensional configuration, and then quickly and easily formed into a three-dimensional configuration. It may be desirable to have a bow that can be securely attached to an object without the bow easily falling off during transporting or handling of the object.

SUMMARY

These teachings provide a bow that can be purchased, stored, and/or transported in a flat, 2-dimensional configuration. This advantageously allows a user to store or transport the bow without damaging, deforming, or otherwise smashing the bow. Moreover, flat, 2-dimensional configuration bows according to these teachings may take up less space on a store shelf, and/or reduce chances of smashing and deforming the bows at the store before purchase.

These teachings provide a decorative bow that can be formed into a three-dimensional configuration at any time, including immediately before the object or gift is presented or displayed, which may advantageously reduce the risk of the bow smashing or deforming or falling off the object.

These teachings provide a decorative bow that can be securely attached to an object, thus reducing the chances of the bow separating from the object during transporting or handling of the object.

These teachings provide a bow that can be incorporated into or made part of an outside packaging or wrapping of an object. This may advantageously reduce the need for a consumer to purchase a separate bow. This may also advantageously provide a user with the ability to form the bow at any time, such as, for example, immediately before presenting or displaying the object, thus reducing chances of the bow being smashed or deformed during object handling, transporting, and/or storing.

These teachings provide an article, that may be a bow. The article includes a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet is configured to attach to an object or sub straight. Alternatively, the first sheet may be part of the object or sub straight. The second sheet is at least partially attached to the first sheet. The second sheet includes one or more moveable members that are moveable relative to the first sheet. Movement of the one or more members moves the second sheet and/or the moveable member between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration is generally flat, and the second configuration is any position where the moveable member is not flat, but rather in a three-dimensional position. The second configuration may be when the bow is at least partially or completely formed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an article with the moveable members in a first configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 1 with one of the moveable members in a second configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 1 with two of the moveable members in a second configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 1 with all of the moveable members in a second configuration.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the article of FIG. 1 attached to an object.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the article of FIG. 1 attached to an object.

FIG. 7 is a front view of another article in a first configuration.

FIG. 8 is a front view of another article in a first configuration.

FIG. 9 is a front view of another article with the moveable members in a first configuration.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an engagement section of the article of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 9 with one of the moveable members in a second configuration.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 9 with two of the moveable members in a second configuration.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 9 with all of the moveable members in a second configuration.

FIG. 14 is a front view of another article with the moveable members in a first configuration.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the article of FIG. 14 separated from the liner.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the article of FIG. 15 attached to an object.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 16 with two of the moveable members in a second configuration.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 16 attached to an object with all of the moveable members in a second configuration.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of at least one of the articles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

These teachings provide an article. The article and/or one or more of the moveable members of the article may be moved between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration may be a flat configuration, or a two-dimensional configuration. The first configuration may be when none of the moveable members and/or portions of the second sheet are moved or repositioned relative to the first sheet, the second sheet, the object or sub straight, or a combination thereof. This may include movement of the removeable member. The first configuration may be when the article or moveable members are flat or planar or not three-dimensional.

The second configuration may be a three-dimensional configuration. The second configuration may be when the article and/or at least some (i.e., one or more) of the moveable members are moved or repositioned relative to the first sheet, the second sheet, the object or sub straight, or a combination thereof. The second configuration may be when all of the moveable members are moved or repositioned. A bow or flower or other three-dimensional shape may be partially constructed when the article or second sheet is in the second configuration (i.e., when one or more, but not all of the moveable members are moved or repositioned). A bow or flower or other three-dimensional shape may be fully constructed when the article or second sheet is in the second configuration (i.e., when all of the moveable members are moved or repositioned). While this disclosure focuses on forming a bow as the three-dimensional shape, it is understood that any three-dimensional shape is conceivable, including, for example, a star, a diamond, a square, a flower, a logo, and/or any polygon or shape.

The article may be configured to be moved between the first configuration and the second configuration. The article may be configured to be moved between the first configuration and the second configuration and then back to the first configuration any number of times. This may be advantageous for reusing the bow, or for constructing the bow and then dismantling the bow before transporting or handling the object, and then reconstructing or forming the bow.

The first sheet may be, or may be referred to as a back sheet, bottom sheet, covered sheet, or a combination thereof. The first sheet may be the bottom layer of the article. The first sheet may be attached to the object or sub straight with an adhesive. The adhesive may be covered by a backing before the first sheet is attached to the sub straight or object.

Alternatively, the first sheet may be part of the object or sub straight or integrally formed with a wrapper or outside surface or profile of the object or sub straight.

The second sheet may be, or may be referred to as a front sheet, a top sheet, an exposed sheet, or a combination thereof. The second sheet may contain the moveable members that are also the kiss-cut features. While the above description and appended drawings illustrate petals of a bow, the moveable members or kiss-cut features can be any features. For example, the moveable members may be configured to be numbers or letters that are formed or displayed when the one or more moveable members are moved into the second configuration.

The object or sub straight may be any object or sub straight. For example, the object or sub straight may be a box, bottle, bag, container, or any other object. The object or sub straight may be used for beverage containers, gift cards, confectionary, flowers, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals & healthcare, food, household care, cosmetic, wine, electronic, chemical, gift, beverage, perfume, personal care, etc.

The article may comprise any number of moveable members. For example, the article may comprise one or more moveable members, two or more moveable members, three or more moveable members, five or more moveable members, eight or more moveable members, ten or more moveable members, etc. The moveable members may be configured to move between a first, flat, 2-dimensional configuration and a second, three-dimensional configuration. The moveable members may be moved, pivoted, twisted, rotated, or folded about a fixed end. The fixed end may be fixed or attached to the rest of the second sheet. The moveable members may be folded, pivoted, twisted, rotated, or moved towards a center or engagement section of the article (i.e., towards an area containing adhesive). For example, the moveable members may be moved, pivoted, twisted, rotated, or folded towards each other or opposing moveable members. Alternatively, the article may be constructed such that the moveable members are moved, pivoted, twisted, rotated, or folded away from each other, or away from a central area of the article. In other words, the moveable members may be moved, folded, twisted, rotated, or pivoted outwardly or away from each other.

The moveable members may have any shape. For example, one or more of the moveable members may have a petal shape, may be round-, square-, triangular-, oval-, wavy-, lightning-shaped, or any combination thereof.

While the Figures illustrate moveable members arranged about a center removable section, it is understood that the moveable members may be arranged in a straight or curved line, and the section referred to as the removable section may be arranged above, below, and/or adjacent to the straight or curved line. The moveable members may then be moved into contact with the removable section. Each article may have more than one removable section, and thus more than one adhesive area, depending on the shape of the object to be constructed by way of moving or repositioning the movable members.

The disclosure relates to using an adhesive on or under the removable section to maintain the movable members in the second or 3D configuration. However, it is understood that other mechanisms can be used to maintain the movable members in the second or 3D configuration in addition to or instead of the adhesive. For example, magnets may be used to maintain the movable members in the second or 3D configuration.

The article may be made of one or more suitable sheets or layers. The one or more sheets or layers may be made of a suitable material, like printed paper, plastic, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly-based, paper-based, metallized, synthetics, Bio-Degradable, compostable, or any combination thereof of suitable materials.

The article may include one or more adhesive layers. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). Any adhesive may be used. The adhesive may be exposed by removing a covering or layer, or may be scratched to expose or activate the adhesive. The adhesive may be activated by bringing together the movable member against the engagement section, which may cause a chemical reaction to take place and form an adhesive. When the moveable members are not in contact with the engagement section, no reaction takes place and no adhesive is present.

FIG. 1 illustrates an article 10 in a first configuration F, which is a generally flat or 2-dimensional configuration. The article 10 comprises a bottom sheet or layer, a back sheet or layer or a first sheet or layer 12. The article 10 comprises a top sheet or layer, a or front sheet or lay, or a second sheet or layer 14 that is located in front of, or on top of the bottom first sheet 12. One or more other sheets, layers, adhesives, or a combination thereof may be provided between the two sheets 12, 14.

The top or second sheet 14 comprises one or a plurality of moveable members 16. One or more of the moveable members 16 comprises a fixed end 18 and a free or movable end 20. One or more of the free ends 20 may optionally comprise a tip 22. The tip 22 may be a textured or roughened portion compared to the rest of the moveable member 16, which may be smooth or less roughened or less textured compared to the tip 22. Roughened means that the tip may include one or a plurality of textures, perforations, grooves, bumps, depressions, notches, impressions, raised sections, projections, and the like. In some configurations, applicable to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the tips 22 may include an adhesive. In some configurations applicable to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the tips 22 may include an adhesive that activates only after brought into contact with the adhesive A under the removable section 24, discussed below. In some configurations, applicable to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the tips 22 may be magnetically attracted to the area of the removable section, or the area where the adhesive A is.

The top or second sheet 14 comprises a removable section 24. The moveable members 16 are radially arranged around the removable section 24. While the removable section 24 is centered amongst the movable members 16, the removable section 24 need not be located directly at the center of the article 10; directly at the center of the top sheet 14; and/or directly at the center of the moveable members 16. Instead, the removable section 24 may be offset or off-centered relative to any one or more of: the article, top sheet 14, and/or movable members 16. Also, the article 10 may include more than one removable section 24. The removable section 24 may also be referred to as a center section 24, an engagement section 24, or a combination thereof.

A portion of the removable section 24 is configured to be at least partially removed, moved, moved aside, displaced, or separated or peeled away from the top or second sheet 14 and/or the article 10. After the portion of the removable section 24 is moved, removed or separated from the second sheet 14 and/or the article 10, an adhesive A is exposed (FIGS. 2-3). That is, the removable section 24 may be a layer of the article 10 that covers, conceals, or protects the adhesive A. While the removable section 24 is illustrated as a circle, the removable section 24 can be any shape, like a square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, octagon, star-shape, etc. In another configuration, that is applicable to any of the embodiments or version of the article disclosed herein, the removable section may be scratched off to expose the adhesive A. In another configuration, that is applicable to any of the embodiments or version of the article disclosed herein, the removable section undergoes a reaction by, for example, exposing the removable section to another material, which results in exposing the adhesive or turning the removable section into an adhesive. Adhesive, in any of the configurations disclosed herein, means tack, glue, sticky, or the like.

One or more of the moveable members 16 may be a finger or petal or part of the bow to be constructed. An outline or perimeter P of the moveable members 16 or petals may be kiss cut onto the second sheet 14. Kiss cutting the outline or perimeter P of the moveable members 16 enables each of the moveable members 16 to be moved or repositioned relative to an area 26 of the second sheet 14 that surrounds the outline or perimeter P of the moveable members 16 that is not moveable relative to the moveable members.

It is understood that the any design or shape may be kiss cut or formed onto the section sheet 14. In other words, while the embodiments and configurations disclosed herein relate to forming a petal or bow, other shapes or objects may be constructed by moving or repositioning one or more of the movable members, such as a star, snowflake, heart, diamond, or virtually any other shape or feature. this means that the moveable members may have any shape, such as triangular, square, oval, zig-zag, wavy, etc.

FIG. 2 illustrates the article 10 and/or one of the moveable members 16 moved into a second configuration S, which is a three-dimensional configuration. To move the article 10 from the first configuration F (FIG. 1) into the second confiscation S, at least a portion of the removable section 24 illustrated in FIG. 1 is first at least partially separated or removed or peeled away from the second sheet 14, thus exposing an adhesive A in the area where the removable section 24 was previously located. In other words, the adhesive A is located below the removable section 24; the removable section 24 thus functions as a cover over the adhesive A.

One or more of the movable members 16 may be moved or repositioned relative to the area 26 of the second sheet 14 that surrounds the outline or perimeter P of the moveable members 16. More specifically, the free end 20 of a moveable member 16 can be peeled away from area 26 and then drawn up and away from the second sheet 14 and folded over its corresponding fixed end 18. The fixed end 18 may thus function like a living hinge or pivot about which the rest of the moveable member 16 moves, pivots, or is folded about. The free end 20 may then be brought down towards the second sheet 14 and pressed down into contact with the adhesive A. The adhesive A, which may be a glue or tack, may function to retain or hold the tip or free end 20 of the moveable member 16, thus forming one of the loops or petals of the bow. The textured portion at the tip 22 of each free end 20 may cooperate with the adhesive A to maintain a secure attachment of moveable member 16 to the adhesive A. During the folding over step, the moveable member 16 may be twisted or turned so that the moveable member 16 has a spiral shape.

After the moveable member 16 has been moved, repositioned, or drawn away from the second sheet 14 and attached to the adhesive A, a foot print 36 or outline of where that moveable member 16 was previously located when it was in the first configuration F (FIG. 1) may match or have the same color, graphics, etc. as the rest of the area 26 of the second sheet 14. This may advantageously provide for the article 10 to have a uniform or continuous color and/or graphics when the article 10 is in the second configuration. Advantageously, this will provide for better aesthetics since it will not be readily apparent that a portion of the article 10 is missing or has been repositioned or moved, as may be the case with traditional stickers after they have been removed from the board or paper on which they are located before being peeled away.

Alternatively, the foot print 36 may be at least partially transparent so that any colors, graphics, or patterns below the article 10 can be seen through the foot print 36, thus providing for the article 10 to have a uniform or continuous color and/or graphics when the article 10 is in the second configuration. This may be advantageous for situations where the article 10 is applied onto another object that has colors or graphics on an outer surface thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates the article 10 and/or another one of the moveable members 16 in a second configuration S. More specifically, the free end 20 of another one of the moveable members 16 is drawn up and away from the second sheet 14 and folded over its fixed end. The free end 20 may then be brought down towards the second sheet 14 into contact with the adhesive A, which functions to retain or hold the free end 20 of the moving member 16, thus forming another one of the loops or petals of the bow.

FIG. 4 illustrates the article 10 and/or all of the moveable members 16 in the second configuration S. In the second configuration S, the free ends 20 of some or all of the moveable members 16 have been separated from the second sheet 14, folded over each of the corresponding fixed ends 18, and then brought down into contact with the adhesive A thus forming the loops or petals of the bow. It is understood that a consumer or user may choose to move only some of the moveable members 16 into the second configuration S and maintain some of the moveable members 16 in the first configuration F. Some of the movable members may be twisted to form a spiral, while others may be folded flat over the fixed end 18. In other words, a user or consumer may customize how the bow is formed according to their liking or preference.

In some configurations, after forming the bow, or after the article 10 and/or moveable members 16 are in the second configuration S, the free ends 20 of one or more of the moveable members 16 may be removed or separated from the adhesive A and then moved, repositioned, or pivoted back into each of their corresponding foot prints 36 and into the first configuration F. Such movement or repositioning may provide for the article 10 to be moved or repositioned from the second configuration S back to the first configuration F illustrated in FIG. 1. The previously removed removeable section 24 may then be applied back onto the adhesive A to cover the adhesive A. Such movement may be repeated to assemble and disassemble the bow. This may provide for the article or bow to be reused or reconfigured any number of times. A reusable bow may be advantageous for regifting purposes. Reconfigurable may be desired if a user forms a bow and then changes their mind and wishes to alter or further customize the bow by twisting some of the petals or only folding over some of the petals into the second configuration S. In some configurations, additional adhesive A may be applied to the article to ensure the moveable members 16 can be maintained in the second configuration after repeated assembly and disassembly.

FIG. 5 illustrates the article 10 of FIG. 1 in the first configuration F, where the article 10 is part of or integrated with a sub straight 100 or object. The sub straight 100 or object is a box of candy, but may be any food or drink, packaging, object, gift card, or item. In other words, the article 10 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be integrally formed with or on or attached to the object and thus part of the object when sold to a consumer. Stated another way, the article 10 may be, or may form, the outer layer or surface of the sub straight 100 or object, and may not be readily removed or separated therefrom. For example, in FIG. 5, the bottom or first surface 12 of the article 10 is the same as the outer surface 102 of the sub straight 100 or object. Stated another way, the second or top surface 14 of the object 10 is attached to or located on top of the outer surface 102 of the sub straight 100. The bow may be constructed or moved into the second configuration S according to one or more of the aforementioned steps from FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 illustrates the article 10 in the first configuration F and is attached to a sub straight 100 or object. The object in FIG. 6 is a gift card, but may be any packaging, object, or item like a box of candy or other food or drink. In other words, the article 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be sold as an individual article and then applied or attached to any object 100 like the gift card in FIG. 6.

A user may attach the bottom or first sheet 12 on top of an outside surface 102 of the or object 100. The bottom or first sheet 12 may be attached to the outside surface 102 of the object via an adhesive that may be provided on a back surface of the first or bottom sheet 12. The adhesive on the back surface of the bottom or first sheet 12 may be covered by a foil or wrapper (i.e., a third sheet) that must be at least partially removed to expose the adhesive on the back side of the first sheet 12 to adhere the first sheet 12 and thus the article 10 to the sub straight 100. Before, or after, the article 10 is attached to the sub straight 100, the removeable section 24 can be removed, and one or more of the moveable members 16 can be moved of folded towards the adhesive A covered by the removeable section 24 to form each of the individual loops of the bow as discussed in one or more of the aforementioned steps and figures. Preferably, the area 26 surrounding the perimeter P, including the foot print areas 36 which are exposed when the movable members 16 are positioned into the second configuration, is/are at least partially transparent, or matches an outer surface 102 of the sub straight 100.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate alternative versions of the object 10 in the first configuration F. One or more of the moveable members 16 may be moved relative to the area 26 like in the aforementioned FIGS. 1-6. The article 10 in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be integrally formed to or with the outer surface of an object, like in FIG. 5. The article 10 in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be attached to the outer surface of an object, like in FIG. 6.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an alternative configuration, the article 10 may be free of a removeable section 24 that is removable or separable from the rest of the area 26. In such an alternative configuration, the tips 22 of the free ends 20 of the moveable members 16 may comprise an adhesive that is covered by a foil or layer. To form the article 10 into the second, three-dimension configuration, the adhesive on the tips 22 of the free ends 20 may be exposed by removing the foil or scratching off the surface covering the adhesive on the tips 22, and then folding the free end 20 of one or more of the moveable members 16 towards the removeable section 24 and then sticking the tips 22 onto the removeable section 24. The adhesive on the tips 22 of the free ends 20 may function to hold the moveable member 16 in the folded three-dimensional configuration. A user may choose to fold as few or as many of the moveable members 16 into the second configuration, which is the folded, three-dimensional configuration where the bow is formed. Such a configuration may be integrally formed to or with the outer surface of an object, like in FIG. 5, or the article 10 may be attached to the outer surface of an object, like in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 5, in alternative configuration, the article 10 may have a removable section 24 that is removable. Removing the removable section 24 functions to expose the outer surface 102 of the sub straight 100 or object in that area. The tips 22 of the free ends 20 of the moveable members 16 may comprise an adhesive. The adhesive on the tips 22 of the free ends 20 may be covered by a foil or layer. To form the article 10 into the second, three-dimension configuration, the adhesive on the tips 22 of the free ends 20 may be exposed by removing or scratching off the covering or the foil and then folding the free end 20 of one or more of the moveable members 16 towards the removable section 24 and then sticking the tips 22 directly onto the outer surface 102 of the sub straight 100 in the area that was previously covered by the removable section 24. The adhesive on the tips 22 of the free ends 20 may function to hold the moveable member 16 in the folded three-dimensional configuration. A user may choose to fold as few or as many of the moveable members 16 into the folded, three-dimensional second configuration. As was discussed above, the tips 22 may also be magnetically attracted to the outer surface 102 of the sub straight 100 in the area that was previously covered by the removable section 24 in addition to or in leu of the adhesive.

FIG. 9 illustrates another article 200 with one or more moveable members 206 in a first configuration F, which is a generally flat or 2-dimensional configuration. The article 200 comprises a bottom or first sheet 202 and a top or second sheet 204 that is located in front of, or on top of the bottom, first sheet 202. The second sheet 204 may be at least partially attached to the first sheet 202. One or more other sheets, layers, and/or adhesives may be provided between the two sheets 204, 202.

The second sheet 204 comprises one or a plurality of moveable members 206. Each of the moveable members 206 comprise a fixed end 208 and a free end 210. Each of the moveable members 206 may be a finger or petal of a bow. An outline or perimeter P of each of the moveable members 206 or petals may be kiss cut onto the second sheet 204. Kiss cutting the outline or perimeter P of the moveable members 206 enables each of the one or more moveable members 206 to be moved or repositioned relative to an area 216 of the second sheet 204 that surrounds the outline or perimeter P of the moveable members 206.

The second sheet 204 comprises a removable section 214. The moveable members 206 are radially arranged around the removable section 214. The removable section 214 is configured to be removable from the second sheet 204 and/or the article 200.

FIG. 10 illustrates the removable section 214 after the removable section 214 has been separated from the first and second sheets. The removable section 214 comprises an upper portion 218 and a lower portion 220. The lower portion 220 is configured to be removable or separable from the upper portion 218. After the lower portion 220 is separated from the upper portion 218, a bottom surface 222 of the upper portion 218, which was previously covered or concealed by the lower portion 220, is exposed. The bottom surface 222 comprises an adhesive A or tacky or sticky surface that is exposed after the lower portion 220 is separated from the upper portion 218.

In an alternative configuration, after the removable section 214 is removed or separated from the article 200, the adhesive A on the bottom surface 222 of the removable section 214 is exposed. In other words, the removable section 214 in this alternative configuration is free of the lower portion 220.

FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of the article 200 with one of the moveable members 206 in a second configuration S, which is a generally three-dimensional configuration. With additional reference back to FIG. 9, the free end 210 of the moveable member 206 is drawn up and away from the second sheet 204 and folded over its fixed end 208. The fixed end 208 may function like a living hinge about which the rest of the moveable member 206 moves, pivots, or is folded about. The moveable members 206 may be twisted about the fixed end 208 during folding about the fixed end 208.

The removable section 214 can then be brought into contact with the free end 210 of the movable member 206. More specifically, the free end 210 of the movable portion 206 is configured to be adhered to the bottom surface 22 of the removable section 214 with the adhesive A (FIG. 10). In another configuration, the removable section 214 can be magnetically attracted to the moveable portions 206 and/or the article 200 to maintain the movable members 206 in the second configuration.

After the moveable member 206 has been moved, repositioned, or drawn away from the second sheet 204, a foot print 236 or area of the second sheet 204 where the moveable member 206 was previously located when it was in the first configuration may match or have the same color, graphics, etc. as the rest of the area 216. This may advantageously provide for the article 10 to have a uniform or continuous color and/or graphics when the article 10 is in either the first or second configuration. Alternatively, the foot print 36 may be at least partially transparent so that any colors, graphics, or patterns below the article 200 can be seen through the foot print, thus providing for the article 200 to have a uniform or continuous color and/or graphics when the article 10 is in either the first or second configuration.

Referring to FIG. 12, another one of the movable members 206 is moved or folded over its corresponding fixed end 208, and the corresponding tip 210 of that movable member 206 is adhered to the bottom of the center section 214.

FIG. 13 illustrates the article 200 and/or all of the moveable members 206 in the second configuration S. In the second configuration S, the free ends 210 of some or all of the moveable members 206 have been separated from the second sheet 204, folded over each of the corresponding fixed ends 208, and then adhered to the bottom surface 222 or adhesive A of the removable section 214. The removable section 214 is then brought down or plunged down towards and then into contact with a center area of the bow and adhered generally to the second sheet 204. Accordingly, the free ends 210 of all of the moveable members 206 are fixed or attached to the adhesive A of the removable section 214, and the removable section 214 is fixed or adhered to the second sheet 204 so that the bow is maintained in the second or three-dimensional configuration.

The top surface 224 of the removable portion may have the same color, pattern, or design, and/or graphics as the foot print 236 so that the article 200 has uniform or continuous color and/or graphics after the article 200 is in the second configuration. Moreover, the bottom surface 238 of each of the movable members 216, which is now exposed when the article 200 is in the second configuration S, may have the same color, pattern, or design, and/or graphics as the foot print 236 and/or the top surface 224 of the removable portion 214 so that the article 200 has uniform or continuous color and/or graphics after the article 200 is in the second configuration.

The article 200 in 9-13 can be integrated into or attached to objects like those illustrated and described above at FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.

FIG. 14 illustrates another article 300 in a first configuration F, which is a generally flat or 2-dimensional configuration. The article 300 comprises a bottom or first sheet 302 and a top or second sheet 304 that is located in front of, or on top of the bottom, first sheet 302. The second or top sheet 304 comprises a top surface T that is visible of exposed to a user and an opposing bottom surface B that is not exposed or not visible to a user.

The second sheet 302 comprises a plurality of moveable members 306. Each of the moveable members 306 comprise a fixed end 308 and a free end 310. Each of the moveable members 306 may be a finger or petal of a bow. An outline or perimeter P of each of the moveable members 306 or petals may be kiss cut onto the second sheet 304. Kiss cutting the outline or perimeter P of the moveable members 306 enables each of the one or more moveable members 206 to be removed or separate from an area 316 of the second sheet 304 that surrounds the outline or perimeter P of the moveable members 306.

The top or second sheet 304 comprises a removable section 314. The moveable members 306 are radially arranged around the removable section 314.

With additional reference to FIG. 15, to form the bow, the perimeter P of the moveable members 306 may be peeled away from or separated from the area 316 of the second sheet 304 illustrated in FIG. 14, which will be referred to as article 300′. After this step, the removable 314 remains on the second sheet 304 such that there is an absence of material in the removable section of article 300′ thereby defining an aperture or opening 340.

Referring now to FIG. 16, the article 300′ is flipped over such that the bottom surface B of the article 300′ that was previously not exposed or not facing a user in FIG. 14 is now exposed and facing the user, and the top surface T that was previously exposed or visible in FIG. 14 is now facing downwards or not exposed to the user. After the article 300′ is flipped over, the tips 322 of the movable members 306 contain an adhesive A that is exposed. Alternatively, the adhesive A may be covered by a foil that must be removed or separated to expose the adhesive A.

After the article 300′ is flipped over, the top surface T that was previously exposed in FIG. 14 and now facing downwards can be placed onto an outer surface or top surface 402 of a sub straight or object 400. The sub straight or object 400 may be a present, a box, a gift card, a gift box, etc. The outer surface 402 of the object 400 is visible or exposed through the opening 340 in the center of the article 300′.

Referring now to FIG. 17, the free end 320 of one or more of the movable members 306 may be folded over their respective fixed ends 308 and the adhesive A may be brought down towards the opening 340 and into contact with the outer surface 402 of the object 400. After the desired number of movable members 306 are folded over and fixed to the outer surface 402, the object 300′ is in the second configuration and the bow is thus formed.

FIG. 18 illustrates the object 300′ in the second configuration S attached to an object 300′.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross section of one or more of the articles 10, 200, 300, 300′. The article comprises one or more layers or sheets. The one or more layers or sheets may include a first or bottom sheet 12 and a second or top sheet 14. In between the two sheets 12, 14, the article 10 comprises a UV release coating 28. The UV release coating 28 may be a flood coat applied onto the first or bottom sheet 12, or the UV release coating 28 may be spot applied in one or more areas. On top of the UV release coating 28 may be a UV adhesive deadener 30. The UV adhesive deadener 30 may rest on top of the UV release coating 28, but is not connected or attached to it. One or more color, text, pattern, or other layers 32 may be sandwiched between the UV adhesive deadener 30 and the second or top sheet 14

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use.

Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to this description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Plural elements or steps can be provided by a single integrated element or step. Alternatively, a single element or step might be divided into separate plural elements or steps.

The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements or steps.

While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

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