Abstract:
A device is disclosed which includes a sheet suitable for attachment to an article of personal property; and a plurality of decorative elements disposed on a first surface of the sheet, said decorative elements displaying a pattern on said device. A method is disclosed which includes providing a decorative device having a sheet, the sheet having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having a plurality of decorative elements disposed thereon, the plurality of decorative elements displaying a pattern; providing an article of personal property; and securing the decorative device to a surface of the article.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Consumers have expressed an interest in decorating various articles of personal property with various symbols, letters, characters, numbers, and the like. These articles include portable electronic devices, such as cell phones, portable audio and audio/video devices, portable computers, among other products.  
         [0002]     Existing approaches to such decoration usually involve the acquisition of decorative elements, such as crystals, and glue and then manually affixing the decorative elements to an article to be decorated. This approach may produce a decorative effect that approaches the desired result but includes many drawbacks. The manual approach is time consuming for a consumer at any skill level, but particularly so for a consumer who is not experienced at forming the desired decorative arrangement. Moreover, during what is likely to be a process of trial and error for most consumers, some number of decorative elements may be rendered unusable, thereby wasting these elements. Furthermore, some amount of glue may be misplaced both causing waste and unintentionally spilling glue onto surfaces that require a time-consuming cleanup after the work is complete.  
         [0003]     In addition to the inefficiency of the existing approach, the quality of the result obtained using the existing approach will depend heavily on the experience and skill of the person applying the pattern of decorative elements. In some cases, the resulting patterns may have poor geometric consistency and be unsightly, thereby defeating the decorative purpose the entire process is intended to accomplish. Moreover, in other cases, a mistake may be difficult to correct since once the glue dries, removal of improperly located decorative elements may be difficult to achieve and/or may damage the decorative elements and/or the article of personal property being decorated. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved apparatus and method for decorating articles of personal property.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     According to one aspect, the invention provides a device, comprising: a sheet suitable for attachment to an article of personal property; and a plurality of decorative elements disposed on a first surface of the sheet, the decorative elements displaying a pattern on the device.  
         [0005]     According to another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus comprising: a container; a plurality of decorative devices disposed within the container, each decorative device comprising a sheet having first and second surfaces, the second surface having an adhesive layer affixed thereto and being connected via the adhesive surface to a backing layer, the first surface having a plurality of decorative elements disposed thereon, the decorative elements displaying a pattern on the first surface, the decorative devices being suitable for affixation to one or more articles of personal property; and a mechanism for closing the container.  
         [0006]     According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a method, comprising: providing a decorative device having a sheet, the sheet having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having a plurality of decorative elements disposed thereon, the plurality of decorative elements displaying a pattern; providing an article of personal property; and securing the decorative device to a surface of the article.  
         [0007]     Other aspects, features, advantages, etc. will become apparent to one skilled in the art when the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention herein is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a decorative device connected to a backing layer in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a plurality of decorative devices connected to a backing layer in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a decorative device connected to a backing layer in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a decorative device attached to a backing layer, there being a variation in cosmetic characteristics among the decorative elements disposed on the decorative device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a decorative device attached to a backing layer showing a star pattern using a variation in cosmetic characteristics of decorative elements disposed on the decorative device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of the decorative device and backing layer taken along the line  5 A in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a plurality of decorative devices attached to a cell phone in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a plurality of decorative devices attached to a cell phone in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a plurality of decorative devices attached to a portable electronic audio device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a kit of decorative devices incorporated within commercial packaging in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 10-12  are plan views of groups of decorative devices which could be included in kits, such as the kit of  FIG. 9 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of a decorative device incorporating a pattern of a leopard hide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of a decorative device incorporating a pattern of a zebra hide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of a decorative device incorporating a pattern of a tiger hide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     Herein, the term “pattern” includes all images illustrated by decorative elements disposed on decorative devices in  FIGS. 1-8 , thereby including but not limited to heart shapes, rectangles, single-element-wide rows of decorative elements, arc-shaped rows of decorative elements, and alphanumeric characters.  
         [0024]     With reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1 a  plan view of a decorative device  102  connected to a backing layer  104  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Decorative device  102  may be affixed to backing layer  106  via the use of an adhesive layer (not shown). However, means of attachment other than adhesive material may be used for attachment of attachment device  102  to an article of personal property. These alternative means may include but are not limited to magnetic force, clips, force fit, suction, and static electricity.  
         [0025]     The pattern displayed by the arrangement of decorative elements  106  may be implemented in various ways. The decorative elements may substantially fill the available space on sheet  108  of decorative device  102 . In this case, the shape of sheet  108  and thus of decorative device  102  will substantially determine the pattern displayed by the totality of decorative elements  106 . As is discussed in connection with other FIGS below, a pattern displayed by decorative elements  106  may also be implemented based on a pattern of placement of decorative elements  106  on sheet  108  and/or by color variation among the decorative elements located on sheet  108  of decorative device  102 .  
         [0026]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , decorative elements  106  can substantially fill the space on the upper surface of sheet  108  of decorative device  102 . In this embodiment, decorative device  102  has a rectangular outer perimeter and a rectangular cutout in the center, which accounts for a portion of backing layer  104  being visible near the center of decorative device  102 .  
         [0027]     A wide range of shapes could be selected for decorative device  102 . Moreover, shapes for decorative device  102  could be selected to match the shapes of surfaces of specific commercial products on which it is desired to locate decorative device  102 . Moreover, the decorative elements  106  may be of similar size and shape, or the sizes and shapes of decorative elements  106  may vary within one of the decorative devices disclosed herein.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a plurality of decorative devices  202 - a ,  202 - b  and  202 - c  connected to backing layer  204  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, three separate decorative devices  202   a - c  are initially located on a single backing layer  204 . Thus, as usual, the individual decorative devices  202  can remain intact as a user transfers one or more of them from backing layer  204  to the surface of a product or article. However, upon removing decorative devices  202   a - c  from backing layer  204 , a user can re-arrange the relative placement of one or more of the decorative devices, as desired, on a surface of a personal article to obtain a desired pattern. It will be appreciated that any number of decorative devices  102  could be employed. Moreover, decorative devices  102  of different shapes could be located on a common backing layer  204 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a decorative device  302  connected to backing layer  304  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the displayed pattern of decorative elements  106  arises from the distribution of decorative elements on sheet  308  of decorative device  302 . Thus, in comparison with the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , less work is needed to reproduce the series of three rectangular distributions of decorative elements  106  on an article using the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . At the same time, the embodiment of  FIG. 2  provides the user with greater flexibility in arranging the three separate decorative devices  202   a - c.    
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a decorative device  402  attached to a backing layer  404 , there being a variation in cosmetic characteristics among the decorative elements  106  disposed on decorative device  402  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , decorative device  402  can include sheet  408  on which decorative elements  106  may be placed. In this embodiment, a visible pattern may be implemented by varying one or more cosmetic characteristics of the various decorative elements  106 .  
         [0031]     In  FIG. 4 , for the sake of convenience, the illustration of cosmetic variation among the decorative elements  106  is shown by illustrating some decorative elements  106  with solid circles and other decorative elements  106  with hollow circles. However, cosmetic variation among decorative elements  106  in actual physical embodiments of decorative device  402  can be implemented by various means, such as by varying the color of decorative elements located on sheet  408  of decorative device  402 . Other characteristics of decorative elements  106  which may be varied to implement a visible pattern include, but are not limited to, the shape and/or size of the decorative elements  106 , the spacing between neighboring elements, the reflectivity of the elements, and/or the degree of transparency of each element  106 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of decorative device  502  attached to backing layer  504  showing a star pattern  510  using a variation in cosmetic characteristics of decorative elements  106  disposed on decorative device  502  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 5  illustrates a concept similar to that shown in  FIG. 4  except that  FIG. 5  illustrates a star-shaped pattern. It will apparent to those of skill in the art that patterns of any shape and that any total number of patterns may be illustrated within one decorative device  502  using the principles disclosed herein.  
         [0033]      FIG. 5A  is a sectional view of the decorative device and backing layer of  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, backing layer  504  is shown at the bottom. Adhesive layer  512  of decorative device  502  is shown above backing layer  504 . Sheet  508  of decorative device  502  is shown above adhesive layer  512 . Finally, a layer  514  of decorative elements  106  is shown on sheet  508 . While the embodiment of  FIG. 5A  shows an adhesive layer, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the use of an adhesive layer. As previously discussed, other means including magnetism, clips, suction, clamps, force fit, static electricity, or other mechanisms may be employed to locate decorative device  502  on an article of property of a user&#39;s choice.  
         [0034]     In one embodiment, decorative elements  106  may be pieces of plastic and/or glass having a plurality of substantially flat surfaces for reflecting light in a decorative and desirable manner. In one embodiment, decorative elements  106  can have a diameter of about 0.1 inches, although decorative elements larger or smaller than this may be used. In one embodiment, decorative elements  106  can be generally spherical and have generally flat surfaces disposed about a periphery of the generally spherical shape, thereby emulating the appearance of a precious gem. Moreover, decorative elements  106  could be three-dimensional polygons of any size and having a wide range of possible shapes. Moreover, decorative elements  106  are not limited to any particular shape, to any particular size, or to being made of any particular material.  
         [0035]     Decorative elements  106  may be made of inexpensive materials, such as plastic or glass. Alternatively, decorative elements  106  may include items of greater value, such as gems, if desired. Decorative elements  106  could also include pieces of metal or other material which could be located on the surface of sheet  508  of decorative device  502  or within sheet  508 . Moreover, decorative elements may be made of any material or combination of materials selected from a group that includes but is not limited to: crystal, glass, plastic, metal, wood, paper, leather, metal oxides, and ceramic.  
         [0036]     In some embodiments, decorative elements  106  can be located on a surface of sheet  508  of decorative device  502  (or other embodiments of decorative devices  102 ,  202 ,  302 ,  402 , etc). Alternatively, decorative elements  106  could be embedded within a layer of material forming part of sheet  508  of decorative device  502 . In still other embodiments, decorative elements  106  could be located on a lower surface of sheet  508 .  
         [0037]     Items which decorative devices ( 102 ,  202 ,  302 ,  402 , and/or  502 ) may be placed on include but are not limited to: cell phones, portable digital audio devices, computers including portable computers, cameras, cosmetic supply containers, sunglasses, toothbrushes, remote control devices, address books, ceramics, combs, mirrors, watches, pill boxes, flower pots, picture frames, hairbrushes, hair accessories, handbags, calculators, shoes, hats, shirts, pants, and other articles of clothing, wine glasses, chests and other containers of personal goods, joysticks, telephones, microphones, clocks, household thermometers and humidifiers, pens and pencils and other writing instruments, hair clips, watches, remote control devices for home audio and video devices, toys, dolls, figurines, tape dispensers, staplers and other home office products, scissors, candle holders, lamps such as lava-lamps, other household products, and other electronic products, whether portable or not.  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view  600  of a plurality of decorative devices attached to a cell phone in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. It is noted that in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the shape and size of decorative device  602  substantially matches the size and shape of the surface to which it is attached. Decorative device  602  could be manufactured to match the surface to which it is attached in  FIG. 6 . Alternatively, device  602  could be customized by a user to fit the surface of the cell phone of  FIG. 6  or the surfaces of other articles. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the pattern displayed in decorative device  602  is a heart. However, any pattern could be displayed by decorative device  602 .  
         [0039]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , additional decorative devices  604 ,  606 , and  608  are also shown. In this embodiment, decorative device  604  forms an arc composed of substantially spherical decorative elements substantially matching the shape of a display screen on the cell phone to which it is attached, the arc being coupled to a row of decorative elements at one end of the arc. Alternatively, the arc and row of decorative elements forming decorative device  604  could be provided by two or more separate decorative devices.  
         [0040]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , decorative device  606  includes a row of substantially spherical decorative elements, located alongside and substantially parallel to the straight-row portion of decorative device  604 . In  FIG. 6 , decorative device  608  includes two substantially straight and substantially parallel rows of decorative elements located next to decorative device  602 . In an alternative embodiment, two separate decorative devices could be employed to provide the two rows of decorative device  608 . It will be appreciated that additional decorative devices could be added to the cell phone of  FIG. 6 , if desired.  
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view  700  of a plurality of decorative devices  702 ,  704 ,  706 , and  708  attached to a cell phone in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, decorative device  702  displays a script version of the letter “B.” Moreover, in this embodiment, the pattern of this letter is formed via the distribution of the decorative elements on device  702  rather than via color variation, or other cosmetic variation, among the decorative elements. It will be appreciated that any alphanumeric character or image or combination thereof could be represented employing the patterning method used in decorative device  702 .  
         [0042]     The embodiment of  FIG. 7  also includes decorative devices  704 ,  706 , and  708 . In this embodiment, decorative devices  704  and  706  are substantially straight and substantially parallel rows of substantially circular decorative elements. In an alternative embodiment, the rows of decorative elements provided by decorative devices  704  and  706  could be provided by a single two-row decorative device.  
         [0043]     The embodiment of  FIG. 7  further includes decorative device  708  which includes one arc pattern of decorative elements and two substantially parallel rows of decorative elements. In an alternative embodiment, the arc and two rows of decorative elements included in decorative device  708  could be provided employing two or more separate decorative devices.  
         [0044]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view  800  of a decoration  802  attached to the front surface of a portable electronic audio device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Since decoration  802  includes a number of different geometric patterns (a circle and a plurality of rectangles), decoration  802  could be provided either with one decorative device incorporating all of the geometric patterns shown in  FIG. 8  or with a plurality of decorative devices, each including one or more of the geometric patterns shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0045]     In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the decorative devices disclosed herein can be removed from surfaces of articles of personal property to which they have been attached without causing damage either to the article or to the decorative device. In the case of articles of clothing, the decorative devices can be removed prior to washing clothes and then replaced on the clothing once washing and drying are complete. Thus, damage to the disclosed decorative devices from the effects of washing machines and dryers can be readily avoided. This contrasts with the situation faced when using existing forms of clothing decoration.  
         [0046]     In the case of cell phones and other electronic products, the decorative devices disclosed herein can be removed without damaging the cell phone or other electronic product. This feature can help avoid problems, for instance, when returning the cell phone or other device to a retailer or manufacturer for refund, maintenance or repair.  
         [0047]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a kit  900  of decorative devices incorporated within commercial packaging in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Kit  900  can provide a user with a convenient assortment of decorative devices (such as, but not limited to, devices  102 ,  202 ,  302 ,  402 ,  502 ,  602 , and  602 ) which devices can have different sizes and shapes and which can incorporate different patterns and/or characters thereon. The decorative devices included in kit  900  may be used as originally provided, or may be modified (by cutting to various shapes and sizes) as desired by a user. The decorative devices (not shown) can be used either individually, or in combination, to provide a desired result.  
         [0048]     Different kits  900  may be made available with different ones of the kits having different combinations of decorative devices therein. Moreover, different kits may have different themes within which the included decorative devices fall. For instance, one exemplary kit could focus on alphabetic characters. This type of kit could enable a purchaser to construct a desired sequence of characters, customized to that purchaser&#39;s wishes. The sequence of characters could, for instance, correspond to a first name, a nickname, or a set of initials. In this embodiment, while the patterns representing the individual characters would be pre-arranged, the sequence of characters placed onto an article by a purchaser could be selected by the purchaser.  
         [0049]     In another embodiment, kits of decorative devices could be tailored to decorate particular commercial products. For instance, kits could be customized to accommodate a selected Samsung® cell phone, Motorola® cell phone, I-pod®, Palm Pilot® and/or numerous other consumer products whether electronic or non-electronic, and whether portable or non-portable. While tailored for a particular product, these kits could include a wide variety of different decorative devices, with some devices illustrating images, others illustrating alphanumeric symbols and so forth.  
         [0050]     More generally, the pre-arranged patterns could be standard or custom-made. Thus, some decorative devices could include patterns which are widely used and which are not specific to a particular purchaser or group of purchasers. However, other decorative devices could include patterns that are customized for specialized groups of customers or even for individual customers. For instance, letter sequences spelling out names such as “Jack” or “Susan” could be made available on selected decorative devices for purchasers wishing to acquire decorative devices with such names illustrated thereon as pre-arranged patterns.  
         [0051]      FIG. 10  illustrates a group of decorative devices which could be included in a kit, such as the kit of  FIG. 9 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , a kit could include forty decorative devices  1002  illustrating a star-shaped pattern, eighty devices  1004  each device having two sets of closely spaced rows of decorative elements, four devices  1006  having decorative elements sparsely distributed within a “square” pattern and thirty-six devices  1008  having decorative elements closely spaced and forming the perimeter of a square. Clearly, the number and type of the devices that could be included in a kit could be varied extensively, and all such variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. In one or more embodiments, the decorative devices of  FIG. 10 , which can be included within one kit of devices, are selected for their suitability for application to a particular article of personal property, such as a particular cell phone or particular hair care product.  
         [0052]      FIG. 11  illustrates a group of devices similar to those illustrated in  FIG. 10  except that a group of thirty-two devices  1102  having heart-shaped patterns has been substituted for the group of forty devices  1002  having star-shaped patterns shown in  FIG. 10 . As with the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the number and type of devices that could be included in a kit could be varied extensively, and all such variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. In one or more embodiments, the decorative devices of  FIG. 11 , as with the devices of  FIG. 10 , can be selected for their suitability for application to a particular article of personal property and can all be included within one kit of devices.  
         [0053]      FIG. 12  illustrates a group of devices similar to those illustrated in  FIG. 10  except that a group of forty-one devices  1202  having butterfly-shaped patterns has been substituted for the group of forty devices  1002  having star-shaped patterns shown in  FIG. 10 . As with the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the number and type of devices that could be included in a kit could be varied extensively, and all such variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. In one or more embodiments, the decorative devices of  FIG. 12 , as with the devices of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , can be selected for their suitability for application to a particular article of personal property and can all be included within one kit of devices.  
         [0054]     In one or more embodiments, the decorative devices shown in  FIGS. 1-8  and  10 - 12  are intended to be applied as inseparable units of decoration, without isolating the individual decorative elements  106  for independent attachment to articles of personal property. For example, decorative devices  1002 ,  1102 , and  1202  including images of a star, a heart and a butterfly ( FIGS. 10, 11  and  12 ), respectively, are intended to be applied as single units of decoration and not separated out into dozens of separately applied decorative elements  106 . Moreover, in one or more embodiments, decorative devices  1004 , which include rows of decorative elements  106 , are also intended to be applied to articles as single units of decoration.  
         [0055]      FIGS. 10-12  are plan views of groups of decorative devices which could be included in kits, such as the kit of  FIG. 9 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0056]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of a decorative device  1302  incorporating a pattern of a leopard hide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the colors of decorative elements  106  within device  1302  may be varied to implement the illustrated pattern.  
         [0057]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of a decorative device  1402  incorporating a pattern of a zebra hide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the colors of decorative elements  106  within device  1402  may be varied to implement the illustrated pattern.  
         [0058]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of a decorative device  1502  incorporating a pattern of a tiger hide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the colors of decorative elements  106  within device  1502  may be varied to implement the illustrated pattern.  
         [0059]     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, and such alternatives are meant to be incorporated herein.