Abstract:
A marker includes a substantially flat member having a separation line dividing the flat member into a first portion having a first end tapering to a first point, and a second portion having a second end tapering to a second point.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of commonly owned and co-pending Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/635,843, filed Dec. 13, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to a marking instrument such as a label or sign, especially for identifying plants and the like.  
         [0003]     When selling plants, it is frequently desirable to provide much information regarding the plant at the point of sale. This is viewed as desirable to the consumer and can help in making a favorable impression upon the consumer.  
         [0004]     After the sale, the consumer will frequently want to mark the plant with a suitable, simple and preferably subtle marking, which does not necessarily include all the information contained on the marker which was utilized in packaging and making the sale.  
         [0005]     The present invention addresses these two conflicting needs.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with the invention, a marking apparatus is provided which includes seperably connected portions. The first portion is advantageously a relatively large portion which includes all information relevant to the particular object of the marker. Preferably, this will be in the form of information regarding a particular type of plant or herb. The second portion can be a relatively smaller portion with simply a title for the plant or herb, and optionally some additional decorative markings or care instructions.  
         [0007]     The portions are advantageously seperably connected, either along a score line, or perforations or the like, so that a consumer can view the combined portions during purchase and readily see all information relating to the product, and can then easily separate the second portion from the first portion for use in identifying a plant, for example in a garden, with a relatively small unobtrusive marker.  
         [0008]     In further accordance with the invention, a marker is provided which comprises a substantially flat member having a separation line dividing the flat member into a first portion having a first end tapering to a first point, and a second portion having a second end tapering to a second point.  
         [0009]     In further accordance with the invention, a method for planting is provided, which method comprises the steps of obtaining a plant or plant seed accompanied by a marker containing information regarding the plant; planting the plant in a garden; and positioning a portion of the marker containing a portion of the information adjacent to the plant. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention follows with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a marker in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a method for planting in accordance with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]     The invention relates to markers including separable portions and, more particular, to markers which are well suited for sale and identification of plants such as herbs and the like.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a marker  10  having a first portion  12  and a second portion  14 . Second portion  14  is connected to first portion  12  and advantageously has a separation point  16 , in this case a perforation line, which allows for portion  14  to readily be removed from portion  12 .  
         [0015]     Marker  10  in accordance with the present invention serves two functions. The first function is to provide all potentially desirable information to a consumer making a purchase of the plant or other item in question. Thus, the front and back sides of marker  10  can advantageously be printed or otherwise provide with all potentially desirable information for the consumer.  
         [0016]     The second function is to allow the consumer, after the purchase, to readily identify the plant, for example in a garden, with a marker which is less obtrusive than the entire marker  10  would be. Second portion  14  provides this function and, after purchase, it is envisioned that portion  14  can be removed from portion  12  and placed inconspicuously in a garden or the like near the plant in question to provide for ready identification without detracting from the overall appearance of the garden.  
         [0017]     In accordance with the invention, portion  14  is therefore preferably relatively smaller than portion  12 , and is provided in an aesthetically pleasing configuration.  
         [0018]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, portion  12  has a lower end  18  which is well suited for positioning in soil, other plant nutrients, or the like, whereby marker  10  can be used to readily identify a particular plant to a potential consumer. Thus, lower end  18  preferably has a pointed tip  20 , and can also have cutouts  22  if desired for use in facilitating placement of portion  12  within soil and the like. In addition, lower portion  18  can have a stiffening score line  24  substantially as shown, which serves to axially strengthen lower end  18  during positioning of lower end  18  into soil or the like.  
         [0019]     Second portion  14  also advantageously has a substantially pointed lower end  12  so that second portion  14 , after separation from first portion  12 , can advantageously also be positioned into soil or the like for identifying a plant, for example after it has been planted in a garden.  
         [0020]     Lower portion  26  also advantageously has a point  28  which, in this embodiment, is not exposed until after separation of portion  14  from portion  12 . Lower end  26  also advantageously has a stiffening score line  30  positioned along the lower end thereof for axially stiffening lower end  26  of second portion  14  to allow for second portion  14  to be positioned into soil without buckling, bending and the like.  
         [0021]     In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it should be appreciated that 0.28 of second portion  14  is defined in part by an outer edge of the combined marker  10 , and is further defined in part by a portion of the separation line between first portion  12  and second portion  14 .  
         [0022]     Since each of second portion  14  and first portion  12  are desirable to be in the form of substantially elongate members, it is preferred that these members be aligned so that their longitudinal axes are substantially parallel, and further such that score line  24  is substantially parallel to longitudinal axes of first and second portions  12 ,  14 .  
         [0023]     In the embodiment shown, the substantial portion of score line  24  is parallel to the longitudinal axis, with the lower most portion of score line  24  being angled to help define point  28  as described above.  
         [0024]     In accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention, second portion  14  can advantageously be provided with indicia which are simple and can advantageously be used for identifying the plant. Thus, second portion  14  can be provided with the name of the plant or herb in question, and in other respects be provided as merely decorative. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, second portion  14  can also contain care instructions or the like for the plant, which can advantageously serve as a reminder to the caregiver of the plant for use in maintaining the plant in a healthy condition.  
         [0025]     In connection with the information set forth on the first and second portions  12 ,  14 , this information preferably includes the name of the plant in the portions of information which are on each of first and second portions  12 ,  14 , so that the plant is readily identified both before and after separation of these portions. Further, second portion  14  is preferably designed in a natural or esthetically pleasing manner such that the second portion, when positioned in the garden, does not detract from the natural appearance of the garden. In this regard, a natural print on the second portion could include a wide variety of natural appearances such as a wood grain appearance, a leafy appearance, the appearance of soil and the like. In one preferred embodiment of the present, second portion  14  is provided with a wood grain design which advantageously serves to present a natural appearance in use of the product.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows first portion  12  and second portion  14  connected along a perforated separation line  16 . This can be perforated as shown in  FIG. 1 , or can be scored, or can be provided in any other manner which allows for easy separation of second portion  14  from first portion  12 . In a most basic form, line  16  could even be a marking line for use in cutting with scissors. In a preferred embodiment, however, line  16  does include some form of scoring and/or perforation for use in allowing second portion  14  to be easily removed, for example, by hand.  
         [0027]     Marker  10  can be manufactured from any suitable material, and preferably of a material which is resistant to the elements and therefore is suitable for placement outdoors. Thus, marker  10  can be provided from sheet plastic, metal, wood, or any other material which would be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows in a first step  32  plant  34  in a pot  36  accompanied by a marker  10  in accordance with the present invention. A user or purchaser of the plant can then transfer plant  34  to a garden  40  as shown in step  38 . Second portion  14  of marker  10  can then be separated and placed into garden  40 , preferably substantially adjacent to plant  34 , so as to provide identification and care information regarding plant  34  without detracting from the natural appearance of the garden.  
         [0029]     It should readily be appreciated that in accordance with the present invention, marker  10  allows for a substantially large surface area to be utilized for presenting information to a potential purchaser of the plant, nevertheless, allowing for easy removal of a smaller more esthetically pleasing portion of the marker for use in identification of the plant after transfer to a garden or the like. It should be appreciated that  FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of one method for carrying out the present invention, and that marker  10  in accordance with the present invention can be utilized in other manners within the broad scope of the present invention.  
         [0030]     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope as described above.