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

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of copending U.S. Ser. No. 10/068,241, filed Feb. 6, 2002, entitled “DECORATIVE ELEMENTS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME;” which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/538,412, filed Mar. 29, 2000, entitled “METHOD OF FORMING CURLED OR DECORATIVE ELEMENTS HAVING AN OPTICAL EFFECT,” now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/226,321, filed Jan. 6, 1999, entitled “METHOD OF FORMING CURLED OR CRIMPED DECORATIVE ELEMENTS HAVING AN OPTICAL EFFECT,” now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/796,182, filed Feb. 7, 1997, entitled “METHOD OF FORMING CURLED OR CRIMPED DECORATIVE ELEMENTS HAVING AN OPTICAL EFFECT,” now U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,286; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/245,094, filed May 17, 1994, entitled “METHODS OF FORMING CURLED OR CRIMPED DECORATIVE ELEMENTS HAVING AN OPTICAL EFFECT,” now abandoned; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/179,057, filed Jan. 7, 1994, entitled “OPTICAL EFFECT MATERIAL AND METHODS,” now U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,089, the contents of all of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    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 and glitter having an optical effect and having curls or crimps formed therein. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0003]    [0003]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a curled laminated sheet of optical effect material.  
         [0004]    [0004]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material, the first sheet of material being shorter in length than the second sheet of material.  
         [0005]    [0005]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 substantially equals the length of the second sheet of material.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flat laminated sheet of optical effect material.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a curl forming die in a retracted position.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the curl forming die of FIG. 6 showing the flat laminated sheet of optical effect material of FIG. 4 disposed in the curl forming die when the curl forming die is in an extended position.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a curled laminated sheet of optical effect material.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a crimp forming die in a retracted position.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the crimp forming die of FIG. 9 showing the flat laminated sheet of optical effect material of FIG. 4 disposed in the crimp forming die when the crimp forming die is in an extended position.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a crimped laminated sheet of optical effect material.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a curled laminated sheet of optical effect material disposed on a cutting apparatus.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the curled laminated sheet of optical effect material and cutting apparatus of FIG. 12 showing the 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 laminated sheet of optical effect material.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a curled laminated sheet of optical effect material on a modified cutting apparatus.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the curled laminated sheet of optical effect material and modified cutting apparatus of FIG. 14 showing the modified cutting element of the modified cutting machine in an extended position whereby several pieces of curled glitter are cut from the curled laminated sheet of optical effect material. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    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.  
         [0019]    Decorative grass and glitter are typically formed by cutting specific shapes from sheet material. In the case of decorative grass, these shapes are usually long, thin filaments of the sheet material.  
         [0020]    Regarding glitter, the shapes are typically very small squares or rectangles, though the shapes may sometimes comprise circles, stars or other geometric or abstract shapes. As used herein, the term “glitter” also refers to material commonly known as confetti, sequins or flakes.  
         [0021]    Plastic film is a material commonly used in producing such decorative elements. As used herein “plastic film” refers to any synthetic polymer film such as a polypropylene film or a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane. A plastic 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 plastic, 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 adds volume to 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 same weight of packaged decorative elements could be packaged to 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 copending application U.S. Ser. No. 08/179,057 entitled “Optical Effect Material And Methods” which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The referenced method involves combining sheets of material having different optical qualities to form one sheet of material having unique optical qualities. However, the method disclosed in the referenced application 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 to the packaged product without adding weight are known in the art, but these methods do not utilize the unique optical effect material as described above. These methods typically form the sheet-like material by extrusion of a polymer material. The resulting sheet material is stretched, while heated, and the stretched material is then cut into decorative elements (such as decorative grass) having a curl. This curl in the decorative elements allow the appearance of a given weight of packaged product to appear “fluffed” or as having a greater volume than a similar weight of decorative elements formed without a curl. Unfortunately, this method cannot be used with the optical effect material described above.  
         [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 adding weight. The method involves combining two separate sheets of material to form one sheet of optical effect material having a curl or a crimp therein. The optical effect material is then cut to produce decorative elements having the aforementioned desired qualities.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    Shown in FIG. 1 is a laminated sheet of optical effect material having a distortion set therein, generally indicated by the reference numeral  20 . The distortion comprises a curl but, as will be described in more detail hereinafter, the distortion may also comprise at least one crimp. The laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  has a first surface  22 , a second surface  24  and an outer periphery  26 . The outer periphery  26  comprises a first side  28 , a second side  30 , a first end  32  and a second end  34 . The sheet of optical effect material  20  further comprises a length  36  and a width  38 , the length being the distance between the first and second ends  32  and  34  of the sheet of optical effect material  20 , and the width being the distance between the first and second sides  28  and  30  of the sheet of optical effect material  20 .  
         [0028]    The sheet of optical effect material  20  comprises a first sheet of material  40  (FIG. 2) and a second sheet of material  42 . The first sheet of material  40  has a first surface  44 , a second surface  46  and an outer periphery  48 . The outer periphery  48  comprises a first side  50 , a second side  52 , a first end  54  and a second end  56 . The first sheet of material  40  further comprises 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  and an outer periphery  66 . The outer periphery  66  comprises a first side  68 , a second side  70 , a first end  72  and a second end  74 . The second sheet of material  42  further comprises 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 . 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, glitter and the like.  
         [0031]    The first sheet of material  40  has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mils to about 10 mils. Preferably, the first sheet of material  40  has a thickness in a range from about 0.4 mils to about 0.9 mils. 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. The layers of material comprising the first sheet of material  40  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 optical effect material  20 , desirable results can be obtained wherein the first sheet of material  40  comprises a plastic film such as Vifan BT medium slip biaxially oriented polypropylene film (clear) having a thickness in a range from about 0.4 mil to about 0.9 mil, available from Vifan Canada, Inc., Vifan Street, Lanoraie d&#39;Autray, Quebec, Canada JOK 1EO.  
         [0033]    Although the first sheet of material  40  shown in FIGS.  1 - 3  is 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, but not by way of limitation, the first sheet of material  40  may be square, rectangular or circular or the first sheet of material  40  may be of any other 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 a play of lustrous, changing colors. In addition, the second sheet of material  42  must be suitable for making decorative elements such as decorative grass, glitter and the like.  
         [0035]    The second sheet of material  42  has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mils to about 10 mils, and the second sheet of material  42  may be constructed from plastic, metal, paper or any combination thereof. Preferably, the second sheet of material  42  has a thickness in a range from about 0.4 mils to about 0.9 mils. 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. The layers of material comprising the second sheet of material  42  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 optical effect material  20 , desirable results can be obtained wherein the second sheet of material  42  is an iridescent film is 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 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, but not by way of limitation, the second sheet of material  42  may be square, rectangular or circular or the second sheet of material  42  may be of any other 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 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 is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the other sheet.  
         [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 different dimension than the width  78  of the second sheet of material  42 . Also, 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 surface  46  of the first sheet of material  40  is disposed adjacent the first surface  64  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  of the first sheet of material  40  are aligned, respectively, with the first and second sides  68  and  70  of the second sheet of material  42 .  
         [0041]    The first sheet of material  40  is then stretched in direction  79  (FIG. 3) 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 . 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 outer periphery  48  of the first sheet of material  40  should be substantially aligned with the outer periphery  66  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 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.  
         [0043]    Depicted in FIGS.  4 - 11  is an alternate method of providing a laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  having a distortion, such as a curl or a crimp, set therein. FIGS.  4 - 8  show a method of setting a curl in the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  and FIGS.  9 - 11  show how a crimp may be set in the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80 .  
         [0044]    Referring more specifically to FIG. 4, the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  is similar to that of FIG. 1 except that the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  does not have a distortion set therein. The laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  has a first surface  82 , a second surface  84  and an outer periphery  86 . The outer periphery  86  comprises a first side  88 , a second side  90 , a first end  92  and a second end  94 . The laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  further comprises a length  96  and a width  90 , the length  96  being the distance between the first and second ends  90  and  92  of the sheet of optical effect material  80 , and the width  98  being the distance between the first and second sides  88  and  90  of the sheet of optical effect material  80 .  
         [0045]    The laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  comprises a first sheet of material  100  (FIG. 5) and a second sheet of material  102 . The first sheet of material  100  has a first surface  104 , a second surface  106  and an outer periphery  108 . The outer periphery  108  comprises a first side  110 , a second side  112 , a first end  114  and a second end  116 . The first sheet of material  100  further comprises 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 .  
         [0046]    Similarly, the second sheet of material  102  has a first surface  122 , a second surface  124  and an outer periphery  126 . The outer periphery  126  comprises a first side  128 , a second side  130 , a first end  132  and a second end  134 . The second sheet of material  102  further comprises 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 .  
         [0047]    The first sheet of material  100  is constructed from the same materials and in the same manner as the first sheet of material  40  of FIGS.  1 - 3  as shown and described previously. The second sheet of material  102  is constructed from the same materials and in the same manner as the second sheet of material  42  of FIGS.  1 - 3  as shown and described previously.  
         [0048]    As shown in FIG. 5, the first sheet of material  102  and the second sheet of material  104  are sized to be of similar dimensions, that is, the lengths  118  and  136  and the widths  120  and  138  of the first and second sheets of material  102  and  104  are approximately equal. The outer periphery  108  of the first sheet of material  100  is aligned with the outer periphery  126  of 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.  
         [0049]    The resultant laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  (FIG. 4) is substantially flat since neither the first nor the second sheet of material  100  or  102  was stretched before lamination. At this point, a distortion, such as a curl or a crimp, may be set in the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  by contacting one of the first or second surfaces  82  and  84  of the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  with a surface capable of providing a curl or a crimp in the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80 .  
         [0050]    Shown in FIG. 6 is the laminated sheet of optical effect material  40  of FIG. 4 disposed in a die  140 , the die  140  comprising 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  (it will be appreciated that the die is represented schematically in the drawings). The first die portion  142  fits within the cavity  146  of the second die portion  144  and is selectively moveable between a retracted position (FIG. 6) wherein the first die portion  142  and the second die portion  144  are spatially separated and an extended position (FIG. 7) wherein the first die portion  142  is disposed within the cavity  146  of the second die portion  144 .  
         [0051]    The laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  is placed between the first die portion  142  and the second die portion  144  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 laminated sheet of optical effect material  80 , depending on whether the first surface  82  or the second surface  84  of the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  is facing the first die portion  142  when the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  is placed between the first die portion  142  and the second die portion  144 .  
         [0052]    As the first die portion  142  continues to extend, the laminated sheet of optical 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 laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  so that, when the first die portion  142  is moved to the retracted position, the laminated sheet of optical material  80  retains the curl after it has been removed from the die  140 . This provides the curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20   a  shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0053]    Although the method shown contemplates using a die  140  to curl the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80 , any method known in the art may be used to accomplish the same result. For example, in another embodiment (not shown), the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  is contacted with a surface (not shown) such as an edge or a roller capable of producing a curl in the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80 . The surface contacts either the first surface  82  or the second surface  84  of the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  from the first side  88  to the second side  90  of the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  with sufficient pressure to set a curl therein. Preferably the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  is  
         [0054]    rolled, with pressure, over the first or second surface  82  or  84  until the entire first or second surface  82  or  84  has been contacted by the surface (not shown).  
         [0055]    It may be desired that the laminated sheet of 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 laminated sheet of optical effect material  80 . After a laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  has been formed by the method described and shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  may be introduced into a die which is formed to set crimps in the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80 .  
         [0056]    Shown in FIG. 9 is the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  of FIG. 4 disposed in a die, the die  160  comprising 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  comprises a plurality of first ridges, only one of which is designated  170 , and a plurality of first troughs, only one of which is designated  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  164 . 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 .  
         [0057]    The second crimp forming surface  168  comprises a plurality of second ridges, only one of which is designated  174 , and a plurality of second troughs, only one of which is designated  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  180  and each second trough  176  is formed between two second ridges  174 .  
         [0058]    The first die portion  162  is selectively moveable between a retracted position (FIG. 9) and an extended position (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  communicates with the first or the second surface  82  or  84  of the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80 , and the second crimp forming surface  168  of the second die portion  166  communicates with the opposite surface  82  or  84  of the laminated sheet of 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  are disposed within the second troughs  176  of the second crimp forming surface  168  and the second ridges  174  of the second crimp forming surface  168  are disposed within the first troughs  172  of the first crimp forming surface  164 .  
         [0059]    The laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  is placed between the first die portion  162  and the second die portion  166  when the first die portion  162  is in the retracted position substantially as shown in FIG. 9. When the first die portion  162  is thereafter moved to the extended position, 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 laminated sheet of optical effect material  80 , depending on whether the first surface  82  or the second surface  84  of the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  is facing the first die portion  162  when the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  is placed between the first die portion  162  and the second die portion  166 .  
         [0060]    As the first die portion  162  continues to extend, the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  is crimped to conform to the shape of the first crimp forming surface  164  and the second crimp forming surface  166 . Sufficient pressure is applied to the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  so that, when the first die portion  162  is moved to the retracted position, the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  retains the crimps after it has been removed from the die  160 . This provides the crimped laminated sheet of optical effect material  178  shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0061]    Although the method shown contemplates using a die  160  to crimp the laminated sheet of 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 laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  before cutting only a portion of the laminated sheet of optical effect material  80  as described hereinafter.  
         [0062]    After a sheet of curled or crimped laminated optical effect material having a curl or crimps set therein  20 ,  20   a  or  178  has been provided, it may then be cut to form decorative elements such as decorative grass or glitter.  
         [0063]    Shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is one method for cutting a curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  to form curled optical effect decorative grass. Although only one method is shown, any known method by which a curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  may be cut to form decorative grass may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of a cutting apparatus  180  which may be used to cut a curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  to form curled optical effect decorative grass. The cutting apparatus  180  comprises a substantially flat surface  182 , a bevel  184 , a first roller  186 , a second roller  188  and a cutting element  190 . The curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  is disposed under the first and second rollers  186  and  188  on the flat surface  182  of the cutting apparatus  180 . Preferably, the curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  is disposed on the flat surface  182  of the cutting apparatus  180  in such a way that the curled laminated sheet of optical effect material curls toward the flat surface  182 .  
         [0065]    Although a first and a second roller  186  and  188  are shown, any technique may be utilized that temporarily flattens the curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  while it is being cut. As shown, the first and second rollers  186  and  188  are disposed above the flat surface of the cutting apparatus  180  a distance approximating the thickness of the laminated sheet of optical effect material  20 . This prevents the first and second rollers  186  and  188  from placing pressure on the curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  which might tend to remove some of the curl from the sheet of material  20 .  
         [0066]    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 the flat surface  182  of the cutting apparatus  180 . When the cutting element  190  is in this position, the laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  is fed in direction  192  toward the bevel  184  of the cutting apparatus  180 . Preferably, the first end  36  of the laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  is the leading edge of the laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  as it is fed through the cutting apparatus  180 .  
         [0067]    The first end  36  of the laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  is fed through the cutting apparatus  20  until the first end  36  extends over the bevel  184  of the cutting apparatus  180  a distance approximating the desired width of a piece of decorative grass. The cutting element  190  is then moved to the extended position (FIG. 13) wherein the cutting element  190  communicates with the bevel  184  of the cutting apparatus  180 . This action severs a piece of decorative grass  194  from the sheet of optical effect material  20 . Preferably, each decorative grass filament has a length ranging between 2 and 24 inches, and a width ranging between 0.02 and 0.125 inches. The cutting element  190  thereafter returns to the retracted position and the process is repeated until the entire sheet of optical effect material  20  has been cut to form several pieces of curled decorative grass  194  having an optical effect.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIGS. 14 and 15 show one method for cutting a curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  to form curled glitter having an optical effect. Although only one method is shown, any known method by which a curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  may be cut to form glitter 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. 13 and 14 depicts a curled laminated sheet of optical effect material  20  being cut to form curled glitter having an optical effect, the method may also be used to cut the crimped laminated sheet of 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 sheet of optical effect material  20  to form curled glitter having an optical effect, it should be noted that the curled glitter having an optical effect may be formed by cutting a plurality of pieces of curled decorative grass  194  having an optical effect.  
         [0069]    A modified cutting apparatus  180   a  is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The modified cutting apparatus  180   a  is similar to the cutting apparatus  180  of FIGS. 12 and 13 except that the cutting element  190   a  of the modified cutting apparatus  180   a  further comprises a plurality of cross-cut elements, only one of which is designated  196 , said cross-cut elements  196  extending substantially perpendicular from the cutting element  190   a.    
         [0070]    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 sheet of optical effect material  20 , the cutting element  190   a  and the cross-cut elements  196  cut the curled laminated sheet of 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 between 0.005 and 0.5 inches.  
         [0071]    As stated hereinbefore, this method may be utilized with the crimped laminated sheet of 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 .  
         [0072]    Changes may be made in the embodiments of the invention described herein, or in parts or elements of the embodiments described herein, or in the steps or sequence of steps of the methods described herein, without departing from the spirit and/or scope of the invention as defined in the following claims: