Patent Publication Number: US-10779681-B2

Title: Decorative grill decal and method of use

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to a non-provisional application, U.S. Ser. No. 15/183,467, filed Jun. 15, 2016, entitled “Decorative Grill Decal And Method Of Use”, by James T. Sheridan, which is hereby incorporated by reference; and to a provisional application, U.S. Ser. No. 62/285,061, filed Oct. 19, 2015 and now expired, entitled “Process Of Making A Graphic Decal For A BBQ Grill, Decal Made Thereby, Kit Of Components For The Use Of A Decal, Sticker, Or Film To Decorate Or Change The Cosmetic/Physical/Visual Appearance Of A BBQ Grill (Charcoal, Propane, LP Gas, Electric, Etc.)”, by James T. Sheridan, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of outdoor cooking appliances, namely, barbeque grills, and more particularly to decorative decals adapted for changing the aesthetic appearance of barbeque grills. 
     Barbecue grills are common sights across America, especially during the summer months, but even year round. Designed to cook with an open flame, barbeque grills must be used outdoors to prevent harmful smoke and other toxins from entering indoor living spaces, and are often left outdoors even when not in use, thus being exposed to environmental elements. These include weather related elements (sunlight, heat, cold, rain, snow, hail, sleet, etc.), animal related elements (bird and insect excrement, etc.), and plant related elements (sap, pitch, leaves, etc.). As a result, barbeque grills are typically constructed of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum, in order to withstand these environmental elements, as well as the heat generated during operation, which can be as much as 600 degrees Fahrenheit or even higher. 
     While some manufacturers provide different color treatments for their barbeque grills, most barbeque grills have a very similar aesthetic appearance to each other, even across models, makes, and brands. Individuals, however, often desire to personalize their possessions, and barbeque grills are no exception. There is a lack in the industry of easy decorative means for changing the aesthetics of a barbeque grill. 
     It is therefore shown that there is a need for a means for altering the aesthetics of a barbeque grill. 
     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a decorative decal suitable for being affixed to the outer surface of a barbeque grill. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a decorative decal having a visually discernible aesthetic element. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a decorative decal being suitable to withstand the heat of operation of the barbeque grill. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a decorative decal being suitable to withstand the environmental elements to which a barbeque grill is typically exposed. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a method for using the decorative decal of the present invention. 
     Other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a decorative decal having a visually discernible aesthetic element on one side and a smooth, non-porous surface on the other side. The visually discernible aesthetic element is any aesthetically pleasing representation of graphics, designs, and/or text. The decal is applied to the outer surface of a barbeque grill, including but not limited to the grill hood and/or the grill doors, and retained thereon by the static cling. The decal itself is comprised of multiple layers, with a flexible heat resistant substrate having a core and layers on the outer surface of the substrate for receiving ink and for over-laying the printed image. 
     The present invention also discloses a method of use of the decal, including some or all of the steps of obtaining a decorative decal as described above; cleaning the outer surface of the barbeque grill in preparation for applying the decorative decal thereto; removing one or more handles (if any) from the barbeque grill; removing a temperature gauge (if any) from the barbeque grill; placing the decorative decal onto the outer surface of the barbeque grill such that the decal&#39;s smooth, non-porous surface is in direct contact with the outer surface of the barbeque grill and retains the decal thereupon; re-attaching the one or more handles (if any) to the barbeque grill; and re-attaching the temperature gauge (if any) to the barbeque grill. Multiple decorative decals may be used in the foregoing method to achieve the desired alteration of the aesthetics of the barbeque grill. In an alternative embodiment, the decal may have an adhesive on the side facing the grill, whereby the decal is retained onto the grill by said adhesive. 
     Other features and advantages of the decorative decal and method of the present invention are described below. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a typical barbeque grill together with a plurality of decals, with arrows indicating where the decals will be placed onto the surface of the barbeque grill. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a grill hood decal and two grill door decals. The visually discernible aesthetic elements in this figure comprise photo-realistic scenes from nature. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a barbeque grill with a decal affixed to the grill hood and a pair of decals affixed to the grill doors. The visually discernible aesthetic elements in this figure comprise sports-themed images, including graphics and text. 
         FIG. 4A  is a partial exploded view of the decal of the present invention, with the various layers comprising the substrate shown separated from each other. 
         FIG. 4B  is a partial perspective view of the decal depicted in  FIG. 4A , with the various layers comprising the substrate shown affixed to each other. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of the method of use of the decal, whereby the grill hood is cleaned prior to the decal being placed onto the grill. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart depicting another embodiment of the method of use of the decal, whereby the grill handles and temperature gauge are removed from the grill, the grill hood is cleaned prior to the decal being placed onto the grill, then grill handles and temperature gauge are reattached to the grill after the decal is placed onto the grill. 
         FIGS. 7A through 7G  depict the method disclosed in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7A  depicts Step A (obtain a decal);  FIG. 7B  depicts Step A 2  (remove the grill handle);  FIG. 7C  depicts Step A 3  (remove the grill temperature gauge);  FIG. 7D  depicts Step A 1  (clean the grill);  FIG. 7E  depicts Step A 2  (apply the decal to the grill);  FIG. 7F  depicts Step B 2  (reattach the grill handle); and  FIG. 7G  depicts Step B 3  (reattach the grill temperature gauge). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a decorative decal  1  useful for altering the aesthetics of a typical barbeque grill  400 , as well as a method for use of the decal  1 . The barbeque grill  400  may have a hood  412 , one or more doors  414 , one or more handles  416  on the hood  412 , one or more handles  416  on each door  414 , and a temperature gauge  418 . See  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Other objects that have surfaces that can become very hot, such as wood stoves, boilers, water heaters, and the like, can also have their aesthetics altered using the decal  1  of the present invention. 
     The decal  1  of the present invention comprises at least a substrate  100 . See  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The substrate  100  must be substantially flexible and resistant to heat up to at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In alternative embodiments the substrate  100  must be resistant to heat up to at least 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The substrate  100  has a first surface  110  and a second surface  120 . A visually discernible aesthetic element  112  is on the first surface  110 . The second surface  120  of the substrate  100  is smooth and non-porous such that when the decal  1  is placed onto the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  such that the second surface  120  of the substrate  100  is in direct contact therewith, the decal  1  adheres thereto by cohesive forces that exist between the smooth non-porous second surface  120  of the substrate  100  and the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 , a phenomenon commonly known as “static cling”. The decal  1  is placed onto the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  such that the second surface  120  of the substrate  100  is in contact with the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 , with the first surface  110  of the substrate  100  facing outward from the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 . Due to the use of “static cling” to retain the decal  1  onto the barbeque grill  400 , the decal  1  can be easily removed from or repositioned onto the barbeque grill  400 . In an alternative embodiment, the decal  1  may have an adhesive layered onto the second surface  120  of the substrate  100 , said adhesive being suitable for attaching the substrate  100  to the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substrate  100  comprises a core  130  located between its first and second surfaces  110 , 120 . See  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The core  130  of the substrate  100  may be comprised of polyimide, vinyl, PTFE, PVC, polyester, or flexible aluminum sheeting, such as XF-803® aluminum label material made by Polyonics, Inc. Other materials may also be used, provided they are sufficiently flexible and sufficiently heat resistant, and can bear a visually discernible aesthetic element  112  on the first surface  110  and is smooth and non-porous on the second surface  120 . 
     The visually discernible aesthetic element  112  of the decal  1  may be comprised of any design or image, or multiple images, as desired. See  FIG. 2 . It may include graphical images or textual images or both. The images may comprise sports memorabilia images, nature scenes, abstract art, sporting images, camouflage, and lifestyle images, among others. However, the visually discernible aesthetic element  112  is not intended to merely convey information, such as instructions for the use of the grill  400  or warnings or warranty information or the like. The visually discernible aesthetic element  112  may be created using full color (CMYK) printing or other technologies known in the art. In the preferred embodiment the following types of ink are used: Latex Inks, Solvent Inks, UV Inks, Solvent UV Inks, Eco Solvent Inks, Screen Print Inks, and Dye Sublimation Inks. 
     In the embodiment where an adhesive is used, the adhesive may be silicone, acrylic, or a thermoset/elastomeric compound, or any other heat resistant and weather resistant adhesive suitable for bonding the decal  1  to the barbeque grill  400 . In one variant of this embodiment the decal  1  further comprises a removable backing placed over the adhesive. The backing may be made of coated paper or any other suitable material that permits the backing to adhere to the adhesive and also to be removed from the adhesive. When in place the backing prevents the adhesive from adhering to a surface. When the backing is removed from the decal  1  the adhesive is exposed and the decal  1  can be placed onto the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  and affixed thereto. 
     The decal  1  may be die-cut to any desired shape and size. The shape of the decal  1  may be regular, such as square, rectangular, circular, oval, etc., or irregularly shaped, such as a cloud outline, a football helmet, or any other desired shape. The size of the decal  1  must be sufficient to cover at least ten percent of the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 . In another embodiment the decal  1  must be able to cover at least twenty-five percent of the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 , and in yet another embodiment the decal  1  must be able to cover at least fifty percent of the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 . 
     In yet other embodiments, where the barbeque grill  400  has a hood  412 , the decal  1  must be able to cover at least ten percent, twenty-five percent, or fifty percent of the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill hood  412 , respectively. In yet still other embodiments with a where the barbeque grill  400  has one or more doors  414 , the decal  1  must be able to cover at least ten percent, twenty-five percent, or fifty percent of the outer surface  410  of each of the barbeque grill&#39;s doors  414 , respectively. In yet still other embodiments, the minimum coverage area as described above can be achieved with a plurality of decals  1 . 
     In one preferred embodiment the first surface  110  of the substrate  100  of the decal  1  comprises a printable opaque layer  114 . See  FIG. 4A . The visually discernible aesthetic element  112  is printed onto this opaque layer  114 . This layer provides a medium for accepting the ink and for rendering the image sharp, whatever the substrate  100  of the decal  1 . Typically, the printable opaque is white, to better set off the ink. Suppliers of the substrate  100  may provide various different configurations of the printable opaque layer. 
     In another preferred embodiment the decal  1  further comprises an over-laminate  200 . See  FIG. 4A . The over-laminate  200  is placed onto the first surface  110  of the substrate  100  over the visually discernible aesthetic element  112 , and affixed thereto. The over-laminate  200  does not substantially obscure the visually discernible aesthetic element  112 , is substantially flexible, and is resistant to environmental conditions, such as cold, rain, snow, ice, hail, ultraviolet radiation, cleaning solutions, and insect and bird excrement. Examples of suitable over-laminates  200  are clear film coatings, transparent protective barriers, and the like. 
     The decorative decal  1  as described above will not fail when exposed to the repeated heating and subsequent cooling of the barbeque grill  400  during normal operations, nor will it fail when exposed to environmental elements or cleaning regimens. That is, it will remain affixed to the barbeque grill and will experience no significant fading, cracking, peeling, or other blemishes during ordinary use over its intended lifespan. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the decorative decal  1  as described above is included in a complete consumer kit. In addition to the decal  1 , the kit includes one or more grill inserts. Each grill insert is suitably adapted to replace the grill&#39;s  400  temperature gauge  418  and/or the manufacturer&#39;s name plate, thereby allowing for an unobstructed presentation of the decal  1  for a more aesthetically pleasing effect. The grill inserts are made of a heat resistant material, such as aluminum or stainless steel. They may be friction fit into the apertures left by the removal of the temperature gauge  418  and/or name plate, or they may be attached by the use of fasteners. Alternatively, they may comprise circumferential channels which engage with the interior edges of the apertures, thereby retaining the grill inserts in place. Heat resistant adhesives may also be used; in such case, the grill inserts may be placed over, rather than within, the apertures. 
     The consumer kit may also include a grill cleaning solution, such as alcohol, and a applicator for applying the grill cleaning solution. The applicator may be a brush, a sponge, a cloth, a spray bottle, or any other suitable device. The kit may also include a smoothing implement, used to ensure a smooth application of the decal  1  onto the grill  400 . The smoothing implement is moved over the surface of the decal  1  once the decal  1  is applied to the grill  400 , to smooth out any air bubbles that might have formed between the decal  1  and the grill surface  410 . A decal cleaning solution may also be included, for removing environmental debris that accumulates on the decal  1  over time. An applicator for applying the decal cleaning solution, similar to the applicator for the grill cleaning solution as described above, may also be included in the kit. Finally, the kit may include a carrying pouch or other suitable container for conveniently retaining all of the kit elements together. 
     The present invention also contemplates a method of use of the decal  1  described herein. In its most basic form, the method comprises the following steps: 
     A. obtain a decorative decal  1  as described above; and 
     B. place the decorative decal  1  onto the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  such that the second surface  120  of the substrate  100  is in direct contact with the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 , thereby retaining the decal  1  thereupon by “static cling”. 
     In this embodiment, step A is performed before step B. 
     In one variation of this method, where the barbeque grill  400  comprises one or more handles  416 , the following steps are performed: 
     A. obtain a decorative decal  1  as described above; 
     A 2 . remove the one or more handles  416  from the barbeque grill  400 ; 
     B. place the decorative decal  1  onto the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  such that the second surface  120  of the substrate  100  is in direct contact with the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 , thereby retaining the decal  1  thereupon by “static cling”; and 
     B 2 . re-attach the one or more handles  416  to the barbeque grill  400 . 
     In this variation, step A is performed before step B, step A 2  is performed in any order relative to step A and before step B, and step B 2  is performed after step A, step A 2 , and step B. 
     In another variation of this method, where the barbeque grill  400  comprises a temperature gauge  418 , the following steps are performed: 
     A. obtain a decorative decal  1  as described above; 
     A 3 . remove the temperature gauge  418  from the barbeque grill  400 ; 
     B. place the decorative decal  1  onto the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  such that the second surface  120  of the substrate  100  is in direct contact with the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 , thereby retaining the decal  1  thereupon by “static cling”; and 
     B 3 . re-attach the temperature gauge  418  to the barbeque grill  400 . 
     In this variation, step A is performed before step B, step A 3  is performed in any order relative to step A and before step B, and step B 3  is performed after step A, step A 3 , and step B. 
     In yet another variation of this method, the following steps are performed: 
     A. obtain a decorative decal  1  as described above; 
     A 1 . clean the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  in preparation for applying the decorative decal  1  thereto; and 
     B. place the decorative decal  1  onto the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  such that the second surface  120  of the substrate  100  is in direct contact with the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 , thereby retaining the decal  1  thereupon by “static cling”. 
     In this variation, step A is performed before step B, and step A 1  is performed in any order relative to step A and before step B. An alcohol solution may be used to clean the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  in step A 1 , or other suitable solutions known in the art may be used. 
     In yet still another variation of this method, the following steps are performed: 
     A. obtain a decorative decal  1  as described above; 
     B. place the decorative decal  1  onto the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  such that the second surface  120  of the substrate  100  is in direct contact with the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 , thereby retaining the decal  1  thereupon by “static cling”. 
     In this variation, step A is performed before step B. 
     In yet still another variation of this method, the following steps are performed: 
     A. obtain a decorative decal  1  as described above; 
     A 1 . clean the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  in preparation for applying the decorative decal  1  thereto; 
     B. place the decorative decal  1  onto the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  such that the second surface  120  of the substrate  100  is in direct contact with the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 , thereby retaining the decal  1  thereupon by “static cling”. See  FIG. 5 . 
     In this variation, step A is performed before step B and step A 1  is performed in any order relative to step A and before step B. 
     In yet still another variation of this method, where an adhesive is used and where the decal  1  incorporates a protective backing on the second surface  120  of the substrate  100 , the following steps are performed: 
     A. obtain a decorative decal  1  as described above; 
     B 1 . remove the backing from the decal  1 ; and 
     B. place the decorative decal  1  onto the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  such that the adhesive is in contact with the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  and retains the decal  1  thereupon. 
     In this variation, step A is performed before step B, and step B 1  is performed after step A and before step B. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the method, the following steps are performed: 
     A. obtain a decorative decal  1  as described above; 
     A 1 . clean the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  in preparation for applying the decorative decal  1  thereto; 
     A 2 . remove the one or more handles  416  from the barbeque grill  400 ; 
     A 3 . remove the temperature gauge  418  from the barbeque grill  400 ; 
     B. place the decorative decal  1  onto the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400  such that the second surface  120  of the substrate  100  is in direct contact with the outer surface  410  of the barbeque grill  400 , thereby retaining the decal  1  thereupon by “static cling”; 
     B 2 . re-attach the one or more handles  416  to the barbeque grill  400 ; and 
     B 3 . re-attach the temperature gauge  418  to the barbeque grill  400 . 
     In this embodiment, step A is performed before step B, step A 1  is performed in any order relative to step A and before step B, step A 2  is performed in any order relative to step A and before step B, step A 3  is performed in any order relative to step A and before step B, step B 2  is performed in any order relative to step B 3 , and steps B 2  and B 3  are performed after steps A, A 2 , A 3 , and B. See  FIGS. 6 and 7A through 7H . 
     In embodiments of the method where the barbeque grill  400  comprises a hood  412 , the decorative decal  1  may be placed onto the outer surface  410  of the grill&#39;s hood  412  in step B. In embodiments of the method where the barbeque grill  400  comprises one or more doors  414 , the decorative decal  1  may be placed onto the outer surface  410  of the grill&#39;s one or more doors  414  in step B. 
     In any of the embodiments and variants of the method described above, a plurality of decorative decals  1  may be used. In such case, step A is repeated for each of the decals  1  and step B is repeated for each of the decals  1 . Each iteration step A is performed before each iteration of step B. 
     What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the decorative decal  1  and the method of use of the present invention, along with some it its variations. The terms, descriptions, and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention in which all terms are meant in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Other embodiments not specifically set forth herein are therefore also within the scope of the following claims.