Abstract:
Methods for forming decorative grass possessing a unique optical effect from a sheet of laminated optical effect material. The decorative grass has a curl or a crimp set therein to enhance the light-reflecting characteristics of the decorative grass and to provide greater volume of the decorative grass for a given weight of decorative grass.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/630,644, filed Aug. 1, 2000; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/330,742, filed Jun. 11, 1999, now abandoned; the contents of each of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable.  
         FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates to methods of forming decorative elements such as decorative grass and glitter. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of forming decorative grass having an optical effect and having curls or crimps formed therein.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    [0004]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a curled sheet of laminated optical effect material constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material from which the curled sheet of laminated optical effect material of FIG. 1 is constructed, the first sheet of material being shorter in length than the second sheet of material.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sheets of material of FIG. 2 showing the first sheet of material in a stretched position wherein the length of the first sheet of material is substantially equal to the length of the second sheet of material.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flat sheet of laminated optical effect material constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material from which the flat sheet of laminated optical effect material of FIG. 4 is constructed.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a curl forming device in a retracted position.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the curl forming device of FIG. 6 showing the flat sheet of laminated optical effect material of FIG. 4 disposed therein, and the curl forming device in an extended position.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a curled sheet of laminated optical effect material formed from the sheet of laminated optical effect material of FIG. 4.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a crimp forming device in a retracted position.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the crimp forming device of FIG. 9 having the flat sheet of laminated optical effect material of FIG. 4 disposed therein, and the crimp forming device being in an extended position.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a crimped sheet of laminated optical effect material formed from the sheet of laminated optical effect material of FIG. 4.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a curled sheet of laminated optical effect material constructed in accordance with the present invention disposed on a cutting apparatus.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the curled sheet of laminated optical effect material and cutting apparatus of FIG. 12 showing a cutting element of the cutting apparatus in an extended position whereby a piece of curled decorative grass having an optical effect is cut from the curled sheet of laminated optical effect material.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a curled sheet of laminated optical effect material disposed on a modified cutting apparatus.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the curled sheet of laminated optical effect material and modified cutting apparatus of FIG. 14 showing a cutting element of the modified cutting apparatus in an extended position whereby several pieces of curled glitter are cut from the curled sheet of laminated optical effect material. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    Decorative elements, such as decorative grass and glitter, are frequently used to decorate a variety of items. For example, decorative grass is used in virtually all Easter baskets to enhance the visual aesthetics of the baskets by providing color and glimmering qualities to the arrangement. Glitter may be added to a multitude of items such as clothing or paper to provide a sparkling, light-reflecting aspect to the item.  
         [0020]    Decorative grass and glitter are typically formed by cutting specific shapes from sheets or webs of material. In the case of decorative grass, these shapes are usually long, thin filaments of the sheets or webs of material. Regarding glitter, the shapes are typically very small squares or rectangles, though the shapes may sometimes be circles, stars or other geometric or abstract shapes. As used herein, the term “glitter” also refers to materials commonly known as confetti, sequins and flakes.  
         [0021]    Polymeric film is a material commonly used in producing such decorative elements. As used herein, the term “polymeric film” refers to any synthetic polymeric film such as a polypropylene film, polyethylene film or polyvinyl chloride film, or a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane. A polymeric film, as contemplated and described in detail hereinafter, is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing as might be the case with paper or foil. Other materials which may be used to produce decorative elements include paper, metallized film, or any combination of polymeric film, paper or metallized film.  
         [0022]    One of the most desirable features of decorative grass and glitter is a light-reflecting characteristic. Therefore, it is highly desirable to produce such decorative elements in a manner that maximizes the light-reflecting properties of the decorative elements.  
         [0023]    Additionally, since these items are frequently sold by volume, a method of manufacturing decorative elements which increases the volume of the packaged decorative elements without adding mass or weight is desirable in that such a method would make manufacturing a given volume of decorative elements less expensive. Similarly, the packaged decorative elements produced by such a method would appear to contain a greater amount than the same weight of a competing product, thereby resulting in higher sales for the manufacturer.  
         [0024]    Methods of manufacturing decorative elements which enhance their light-reflecting qualities are known in the art. One of these methods is described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,089 entitled “Optical Effect Material and Methods” issued to Weder on Nov. 19, 1996, the Specification of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The referenced method involves combining three sheets of material having different optical qualities to form one sheet of material having unique optical qualities. However, the method disclosed in the referenced patent does not recognize or envision producing decorative elements having such unique optical characteristics while at the same time increasing the volume of such elements without adding weight.  
         [0025]    Conversely, methods of producing decorative elements which add volume without adding weight to the packaged product are known in the art. However, these methods do not recognize or envision producing such decorative elements with increased volume from a unique optical effect material having properties as described above for the optical effect material of U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,089. These methods typically form the sheets of material from which the decorative elements are produced by extrusion of a polymeric material. The resulting sheet of material is stretched while heated, and the stretched sheet of material is then cut into decorative elements (such as decorative grass) having a curl. This curl of the decorative elements allows a given weight of packaged product to appear “fluffed”, that is, such decorative elements have a greater volume than a similar weight of decorative elements formed without a curl. Such a method is described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,266 entitled “Process For Making Decorative Grass” issued to Weder et al on Sep. 29, 1981, the Specification of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. Unfortunately, this method cannot be used with an optical effect material having characteristics as described above for the optical effect material of U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,089.  
         [0026]    The present invention contemplates a method for producing decorative elements such as decorative grass and glitter from optical effect material wherein the decorative elements appear to have an increased volume without increasing the weight of the product. The method involves combining two separate sheets of material to form one sheet of laminated optical effect material having a curl or a crimp therein. The sheet of laminated optical effect material is then cut to produce decorative elements having the aforementioned desired qualities.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     Description of FIGS.  1 - 3   
       [0027]    Shown in FIG. 1 and designated therein by the reference numeral  20  is a sheet of laminated optical effect material having a distortion set therein. The distortion is illustrated as being a curl; however, it should be understood that the distortion may also be at least one crimp, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The curled sheet of laminated optical effect material  20  has a first surface  22 , a second surface  24 , a first side  28 , a second side  30 , a first end  32  and a second end  34 . The sheet of optical effect material  20  has a length  36  and a width  38 , the length  36  being the distance between the first and second ends  32  and  34  of the sheet of optical effect material  20 , and the width  38  being the distance between the first and second sides  28  and  30  of the curled sheet of laminated optical effect material  20 .  
         [0028]    The curled sheet of laminated optical effect material  20  comprises a first sheet of material  40  and a second sheet of material  42 . As shown in FIG. 2, the first sheet of material  40  has a first surface  44 , a second surface  46 , a first side  50 , a second side  52 , a first end  54  and a second end  56 . The first sheet of material  40  has a length  58  and a width  60 , the length  58  being the distance between the first and second ends  54  and  56  of the first sheet of material  40 , and the width  60  being the distance between the first and second sides  50  and  52  of the first sheet of material  40 .  
         [0029]    Similarly, the second sheet of material  42  has a first surface  62 , a second surface  64 , a first side  68 , a second side  70 , a first end  72  and a second end  74 . The second sheet of material  42  has a length  76  and a width  78 , the length  76  being the distance between the first and second ends  72  and  74  of the second sheet of material  42 , and the width  78  being the distance between the first and second sides  68  and  70  of the second sheet of material  42 .  
         [0030]    The first sheet of material  40  is constructed from any suitable material that is capable of transmitting light to the second sheet of material  42  when the first sheet of material  40  is laminated to the second sheet of material  42  to form the sheet of laminated optical effect material  20 . Additionally, the first sheet of material  40  must be capable of transmitting light reflected from the second sheet of material  42 . Further, the first sheet of material  40  must be suitable for making decorative elements such as decorative grass and glitter.  
         [0031]    The thickness of the first sheet of material  40  can vary widely, as long as the sheet of laminated optical effect material  20  constructed therefrom functions in accordance with the present invention. Generally, the first sheet of material  40  has a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 10 mil. Preferably, the first sheet of material  40  has a thickness in a range of from about 0.4 mil to about 0.9 mil. The first sheet of material  40  may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of materials. When the first sheet of material  40  is constructed of a plurality of layers of material, the layers of material may be laminated together by any method known in the art.  
         [0032]    While any suitable material having the above-described properties can be employed as the first sheet of material  40  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  20 , desirable results can be obtained wherein the first sheet of material  40  comprises a polymeric film such as Vifan BT medium slip biaxially oriented polypropylene film (clear) having a thickness in a range of from about 0.4 mil to about 0.9 mil, available from Vifan Canada, Inc., Vifan Street, Lanoraie d&#39;Autray, Quebec, Canad JOK 1EO.  
         [0033]    Although the first sheet of material  40  is depicted in FIGS.  1 - 3  as being square to rectangular in shape, it is to be understood that the first sheet of material  40  can be provided with any shape or configuration that is suitable for the purposes described herein. For example, the first sheet of material  40  may be square, rectangular, circular, or any other geometric, non-geometric or abstract shape.  
         [0034]    The second sheet of material  42  is constructed from any suitable material that is substantially iridescent, i.e., the material demonstrates shifting changes in color or an interplay of rainbow-like colors when viewed from different angles. In addition, the second sheet of material  42  must be suitable for making decorative elements such as decorative grass and glitter. The second sheet of material  42  may be constructed from polymeric film, metal, paper, or any combination thereof.  
         [0035]    The thickness of the second sheet of material  42  can vary widely as long as the sheet of laminated optical effect material  20  constructed therefrom functions in accordance with the present invention. Generally, the second sheet of material  42  has a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 10 mil. Preferably, the second sheet of material  42  has a thickness in a range of from about 0.4 mil to about 0.9 mil. The second sheet of material  42  may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of materials. When the second sheet of material  42  is constructed of a plurality of layers of material, the layers of material may be laminated together by any method known in the art.  
         [0036]    While any suitable material having the above-described properties can be employed as the second sheet of material  42  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  20 , desirable results can be obtained when the second sheet of material  42  is an iridescent film manufactured by Mearl Corporation, 1050 Lower South Street, Peekskill, N.Y., 10566, under the trademark IF-8531 R/S, having a thickness in a range of from about 0.4 mil to about 0.9 mil.  
         [0037]    Although the second sheet of material  42  shown in FIGS.  1 - 3  is rectangular in shape, the second sheet of material  42  can be provided with any shape or configuration that is suitable for the purposes described herein. For example, the second sheet of material  42  may be square, rectangular, circular, or any other geometric, non-geometric or abstract shape. However, it is desirable that the second sheet of material  42  have substantially the same shape as the first sheet of material  42 .  
         [0038]    As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, the preferred method for providing a curled sheet of laminated optical effect material  20  in accordance with the present invention requires that one of the first or second sheets of material  40  or  42  be of smaller size than the other. It is desirable that only one dimension of the first or second sheet of material  40  or  42  is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the other sheet of material  40  or  42 .  
         [0039]    As depicted in FIG. 2, the first sheet of material  40  is sized smaller than the second sheet of material  42 . In particular, the length  58  of the first sheet of material  40  is shorter than the length  76  of the second sheet of material  42 . However, it should be understood that, if desired, the width  60  of the first sheet of material  40  could be of a different dimension than the width  78  of the second sheet of material  42 . Alternatively, both the length  58  and the width  60  of the first sheet of material  40  could be of different measure than the length  76  and the width  78  of the second sheet of material  42 .  
         [0040]    As shown in FIG. 2, the first sheet of material  40  is disposed adjacent the second sheet of material  42  so that the second surface  46  of the first sheet of material  40  is disposed adjacent the first surface  62  of the second sheet of material  42 . The first end  54  of the first sheet of material  40  is aligned with the first end  72  of the second sheet of material  42 . The first and second sides  50  and  52  and the second end  56  of the first sheet of material  40  are aligned, respectively, with the first and second sides  68  and  70  and the second end  74  of the second sheet of material  42 .  
         [0041]    The first sheet of material  40  is then stretched in the direction indicated by an arrow  79  (FIG. 2) until the length  58  of the first sheet of material  40  is approximately equal to the length  76  of the second sheet of material  42 , substantially as shown in FIG. 3. In the stretched condition of the first sheet of material  40 , the size of the first sheet of material  40  should approximate the size of the second sheet of material  42 , and the first and second sides  28  and  30  and first and second ends  32  and  34  of the first sheet of material  40  should be substantially aligned, respectively, with the first and second sides  50  and  52  and first and second ends  54  and  56  of the second sheet of material  42 .  
         [0042]    With the first sheet of material  40  in the stretched condition so that the first and second sheets of material  40  and  42  are in substantial alignment, the second surface  46  of the first sheet of material  40  is brought into contact with the first surface  62  of the second sheet of material  42 . The first and second sheets of material  40  and  42  are then laminated together by any method known in the art. By laminating the first sheet of material  40  to the second sheet of material  42  while the first sheet of material  40  is in the stretched condition, the first sheet of material  40  creates a recoil tension wherein the length  58  of the first sheet of material  40  tends to return to its original dimension. This action causes the curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  produced by laminating the first and second sheets of material  40  and  42  to curl in the direction of the first sheet of material  40  substantially as shown in FIG. 1.  
       Description of FIGS.  4 - 11   
       [0043]    Depicted in FIGS.  4 - 11  is an alternate method of providing a sheet of laminated optical effect material having a distortion set therein. Shown in FIG. 4 and designated therein by the reference numeral  80  is a flat sheet of laminated optical effect material. FIGS.  5 - 8  illustrate a method of setting a curl in the flat sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  of FIG. 4, while FIGS.  9 - 11  illustrate a method of forming a crimp in the flat sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  of FIG. 4.  
         [0044]    Referring more specifically to FIG. 4, the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  is similar to the sheet of laminated optical effect material  20  described herein before with reference to FIG. 1, except that the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  does not have a distortion set therein. The sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  has a first surface  82 , a second surface  84 , a first side  88 , a second side  90 , a first end  92  and a second end  94 . The sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  has a length  96  and a width  98 , the length  96  being the distance between the first and second ends  92  and  94  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 , and the width  98  being the distance between the first and second sides  88  and  90  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 .  
         [0045]    The sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  comprises a first sheet of material  100  and a second sheet of material  102 . As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first sheet of material  100  has a first surface  104 , a second surface  106 , a first side  110 , a second side  112 , a first end  114  and a second end  116 . The first sheet of material  100  has a length  118  and a width  120 , the length  118  being the distance between the first and second ends  114  and  116  of the first sheet of material  100 , and the width  120  being the distance between the first and second sides  110  and  112  of the first sheet of material  100 . The first sheet of material  100  is constructed from the same materials and in the same manner as the first sheet of material  40  described hereinbefore with reference to FIGS.  1 - 3 .  
         [0046]    Similarly, the second sheet of material  102  has a first surface  122 , a second surface  124 , a first side  128 , a second side  130 , a first end  132  and a second end  134 . The second sheet of material  102  has a length  136  and a width  138 , the length  136  being the distance between the first and second ends  132  and  134  of the second sheet of material  102 , and the width  138  being the distance between the first and second sides  128  and  130  of the second sheet of material  102 . The second sheet of material  102  is constructed from the same materials and in the same manner as the second sheet of material  42  described hereinbefore with reference to FIGS.  1 - 3 .  
         [0047]    As shown in FIG. 5, the first sheet of material  100  and the second sheet of material  102  are sized to be of similar dimensions. That is, the lengths  118  and  136  of the first and second sheets of material  100  and  102 , respectively, are approximately equal, and the widths  120  and  138  of the first and second sheets of material  100  and  102 , respectively, are approximately equal. The first and second sides  110  and  112  and first and second ends  114  and  116  of the first sheet of material  100  are aligned, respectively, with the first and second sides  128  and  130  and the first and second ends  132  and  134  of the second sheet of material  102 . The second surface  106  of the first sheet of material  100  is disposed adjacent the first surface  122  of the second sheet of material  102  and then brought into contact with the first surface  122  of the second sheet of material  102 . The first and second sheets of material  100  and  102  are then laminated by any method known in the art.  
         [0048]    The resulting sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  (FIG. 4) is substantially flat since neither the first sheet of material  100  nor the second sheet of material  102  was stretched before lamination. At this point, a distortion, such as a curl or crimp, may be set in the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  by contacting one of the first or second surfaces  82  or  84  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  with a surface capable of providing a curl or a crimp in the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 .  
         [0049]    Shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and designated therein by the reference numeral  140  is a curl forming device for providing a curl in the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 . The curl forming device  140  comprises a first or male die portion  142  having a convex surface  143  and a second or female die portion  144  having a cavity  146  with a concave surface  148 . The first die portion  142  fits within the cavity  146  of the second die portion  144  and is selectively movable between a retracted position as shown in FIG. 6, wherein the first die portion  142  and the second die portion  144  are spatially separated, and an extended position as shown in FIG. 7, wherein the first die portion  142  is disposed within the cavity  146  of the second die portion  144 .  
         [0050]    The sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  is placed between the first die portion  142  and the second die portion  144  of the curl forming device  140  when the first die portion  142  is in the retracted position substantially as shown in FIG. 6. When the first die portion  142  is thereafter moved to the extended position, the convex surface  143  of the first die portion  142  comes into contact with either the first or the second surface  82  or  84  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 , depending on whether the first surface  82  or the second surface  84  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  is facing the first die portion  142  when the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  is placed between the first die portion  142  and the second die portion  144  of the die  140 .  
         [0051]    As the first die portion  142  of the curl forming device  140  continues to extend, the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  is distorted, or curled, to conform to the shape of the convex surface  143  of the first die portion  142 . Sufficient pressure is applied to the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  so that, when the first die portion  142  is moved to the retracted position, the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  retains the curl after it has been removed from the curl forming device  140 . This provides a curled sheet of laminated optical effect material  20   a  as shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0052]    Although the method shown in FIGS.  6 - 8  contemplates using a curl forming device  140  to curl the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 , any method known in the art may be used to accomplish the same result. For example, the first or second surface  82  or  84  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  may be contacted, under pressure, with a curled surface (not shown) such as an edge or a roller capable of producing a curl in the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 . That is, the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  is rolled, under pressure, until the first or second surface  82  or  84  has been contacted by the curled surface and a curl is produced in the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 .  
         [0053]    It may be desired that the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  have one or more crimps set therein rather than a curl as previously shown. FIGS.  9 - 11  show how a crimp, or a plurality of crimps, may be set in the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 . After the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  has been formed by the method described hereinbefore with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  may be introduced into a crimp forming device  160  (FIGS. 9 and 10).  
         [0054]    The crimp forming device  160  comprises a first die portion  162  having a first crimp forming surface  164  and a second die portion  166  having a second crimp forming surface  168 . The first crimp forming surface  164  of the first die portion  162  of the crimp forming device  160  comprises a plurality of first ridges, only one of which is designated by the reference numeral  170 , and a plurality of first troughs, only one of which is designated by the reference numeral  172 . The first ridges  170  and the first troughs  172  are alternately formed along the first crimp forming surface  164  of the first die portion  162 . That is, each first ridge  170  is formed between two first troughs  172 , and each first trough  172  is formed between two first ridges  170 .  
         [0055]    The second crimp forming surface  168  of the second die portion  166  of the crimp forming device  160  comprises a plurality of second ridges, only one of which is designated by the reference numeral  174 , and a plurality of second troughs, only one of which is designated by the reference numeral  176 . The second ridges  174  and the second troughs  176  are alternately formed along the second crimp forming surface  168  of the second die portion  166 . That is, each second ridge  174  is formed between two second troughs  176 , and each second trough  176  is formed between two second ridges  174 .  
         [0056]    The first die portion  162  of the crimp forming device  160  is selectively movable between a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 9, and an extended position, as shown in FIG. 10. In the retracted position, the first die portion  162  is spatially separated from the second die portion  166 . In the extended position, the first crimp forming surface  164  of the first die portion  162  engages the first or the second surface  82  or  84  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  (depending on the orientation of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  in the crimp forming device  160 ), and the second crimp forming surface  168  of the second die portion  166  engages the opposite surface  82  or  84  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 . The first ridges  170  and the first troughs  172  of the first crimp forming surface  164  of the first die portion  162 , and the second ridges  174  and the second troughs  176  of the second crimp forming surface  168  of the second die portion  166  are disposed such that, when the first die portion  162  is moved to the extended position, the first ridges  170  of the first crimp forming surface  164  of the first die portion  162  are disposed within the second troughs  176  of the second crimp forming surface  168  of the second die portion  166 , and the second ridges  174  of the second crimp forming surface  168  of the second die portion  166  are disposed within the first troughs  172  of the first crimp forming surface  164  of the first die portion  162  of the crimp forming device  160 .  
         [0057]    In operation, the first die portion  162  is disposed in the retracted position substantially as shown in FIG. 9, and the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  is placed between the first die portion  162  and the second die portion  166  of the crimp forming device  160 . The first die portion  162  is thereafter moved to the extended position as shown in FIG. 10, where the first crimp forming surface  164  of the first die portion  162  comes into contact with either the first or the second surface  82  or  84  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 , depending on whether the first surface  82  or the second surface  84  of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  is facing the first die portion  162  when the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  is placed between the first die portion  162  and the second die portion  166 .  
         [0058]    As the first die portion  162  of the crimp forming device  160  continues to extend, the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  conforms to the shape of the first crimp forming surface  164  of the first die portion  162  and the second crimp forming surface  168  of the second die portion  166  of the crimp forming device  160 , thereby forming at least one crimp in the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 . Sufficient pressure is applied to the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  so that, when the first die portion  162  of the crimp forming device  160  is moved to the retracted position, the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  retains the crimps after it has been removed from the crimp forming device  160 . This provides the crimped sheet of laminated optical effect material  178  shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0059]    Although the method shown contemplates using a crimp forming device  160  to crimp the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80 , any method known in the art may be used to accomplish the same result. Additionally, it may be desirous to set only one crimp in the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  before cutting only a portion of the sheet of laminated optical effect material  80  as described hereinafter.  
         [0060]    After a curled or crimped sheet of laminated optical effect material  20 ,  20   a  or  178  having a curl or crimps set therein has been provided, it may then be cut to form decorative elements such as decorative grass or glitter.  
         [0061]    Shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is one method for cutting a curled laminated optical effect material  20  to form curled optical effect decorative grass  179 . Although only one method is shown, any known method by which a curled laminated optical effect material  20  may be cut to form decorative grass  179  may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should be noted that, although the method shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 depicts a curled laminated optical effect material  20  being cut to form decorative grass having an optical effect, the method may also be used to cut the crimped laminated optical effect material  178  (FIG. 11) to form decorative grass  179  having an optical effect.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of a cutting apparatus  180  which may be used to cut a curled laminated optical effect material  20  to form curled optical effect decorative grass  179 . The curled sheet of laminated optical effect material  20  is depicted as being in the form of a roll, only a portion of which is shown in FIGS.  12 - 13 . The cutting apparatus  180 , which has a substantially flat upper support surface  182 , comprises a bevel  184 , a first roller  186 , a second roller  188  and a cutting element  190 . The curled laminated optical effect material  20  is disposed on the substantially flat upper support surface  182  of the cutting apparatus  180  so as to be disposed under the first and second rollers  186  and  188 . Preferably, the curled laminated optical effect material  20  is disposed on the substantially flat upper support surface  182  of the cutting apparatus  180  in such a way that the curled laminated optical effect material  20  curls toward the substantially flat upper support surface  182  of the cutting apparatus  180 , thereby temporarily maintaining the curled laminated optical effect material  20  in a flattened state.  
         [0063]    Although a first and a second roller  186  and  188  are shown, any technique may be utilized that temporarily flattens the curled laminated optical effect material  20  while it is being cut. As shown, the first and second rollers  186  and  188  are disposed above the substantially flat upper support surface  182  of the cutting apparatus  180  a distance approximating the thickness of the laminated optical effect material  20 . This prevents the first and second rollers  186  and  188  from placing pressure sufficient to remove some of the curl from the laminated optical effect material  20 .  
         [0064]    The cutting element  190  is selectively moveable between a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 12, and an extended position, as shown in FIG. 13. In the retracted position (FIG. 12) the cutting element  190  is spatially separated from and disposed at a position above the bevel  184  of the cutting apparatus  180 . When the cutting element  190  is in this position, the laminated optical effect material  20  is fed in the direction indicated by an arrow  192  toward the bevel  184  of the cutting apparatus  180 . The first end  32  of the laminated optical effect material  20  serves as the leading edge of the laminated optical effect material  20  as it is fed through the cutting apparatus  180 .  
         [0065]    The first end  32  of the laminated optical effect material  20  is fed through the cutting apparatus  180  until the first end  32  extends over the bevel  184  of the cutting apparatus  180  a distance approximating the desired width of an individual segment of decorative grass  194 . The cutting element  190  is then moved to the extended position (FIG. 13) wherein the cutting element  190  engages the bevel  184  of the cutting apparatus  180 . This action results in contact of the cutting element  190  along the entire width  38  of the laminated optical effect material  20  which severs the individual segment of decorative grass  194  from the laminated optical effect material  20 . The severed individual segment of decorative grass  194  does not remain attached to any unslit portion of the laminated optical effect material  20 ; therefore, the severed individual segment of decorative grass  194  is provided with a length which is equivalent to the width  38  of the laminated optical effect material  20 . Preferably, each decorative grass segment  194  has a length ranging from about 2 inches to about 24 inches, and a width ranging from about 0.02 inches to about 0.125 inches. The cutting element  190  thereafter returns to the retracted position, and the process is repeated until the laminated optical effect material  20  has been cut to form several pieces of curled decorative grass  194  having an optical effect.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIGS. 14 and 15 show one method for cutting a curled laminated optical effect material  20  to form curled optical effect glitter  195 . Although only one method is shown, any known method by which a curled laminated optical effect material  20  may be cut to form curled optical effect glitter  195  may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be noted that, although the method shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 depicts a curled laminated optical effect material  20  being cut to form curled optical effect glitter  195 , the method may also be used to cut the crimped laminated optical effect material  178  (FIG. 11) to form crimped glitter having an optical effect. Furthermore, although the method shown and described herein contemplates cutting a curled laminated optical effect material  20  to form curled optical effect glitter  195 , it should be noted that the curled glitter  195  having an optical effect may be formed by cutting a plurality of pieces of curled decorative grass  194  having an optical effect.  
         [0067]    A cutting apparatus  180   a  is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The cutting apparatus  180   a  is similar to the cutting apparatus  180  of FIGS. 12 and 13 except that a cutting element  190   a  of the cutting apparatus  180   a  comprises a plurality of cross-cut elements, only one of which is designated  196 , the cross-cut elements  196  extending substantially perpendicular from the cutting element  190   a.    
         [0068]    The same process as described and shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is followed. However, when the cutting element  190   a  cuts the curled laminated optical effect material  20 , the cutting element  190   a  and the cross-cut elements  196  cut the curled laminated optical effect material  20  into small pieces of curled glitter having an optical effect, only one of which is designated  198 . Preferably, each piece of glitter has a surface diameter ranging from about 0.005 inches to about 0.5 inches.  
         [0069]    As stated hereinbefore, this method may be utilized with the crimped laminated optical effect material  178  (FIG. 11) to form crimped glitter having an optical effect. In order for this process to be effective in forming crimped glitter, however, it is desirable that, when the crimps are set in the sheet of optical effect material, the spacing between crimps is such that a crimp will be formed in each piece of glitter  198 . The spacing between crimps, therefore, will be dependent on the dimensions of the cutting element  190   a  in relation to the cross-cut elements  196 .  
         [0070]    Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various components, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.