Abstract:
A method for construction of a realistically formed and moisture resistant prop flower includes the steps of providing a rigid ball supported atop a tubular member; affixing first panel over and about the tubular member and the rigid ball and, thereafter, affixing a number of additional panels over and about the first panel; and shaping at least a portion of each panel into petals by alternately applying heated air and ambient temperature air. Each panel is constructed of a fine, closed-cell foam material. The panel may be formed as a cinquefoil, quatrefoil or trefoil. The rigid ball is constructed of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam and the tubular member is constructed of polyvinyl chloride. Following the shaping step, the method includes the step of applying a a synthetic rubber coating to exposed areas of the panels.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the theatrical arts. More particularly, the invention relates to the manufacture of a prop flower having grossly enlarged scale, yet realistic form. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Theatrical props are widely utilized to represent ordinary manufactured objects in exaggerated or odd sizes or naturally occurring live objects in permanent form. On such object for which both requirements often exist is a flower. Although much effort has been devoted to this popular element, past implementations leave much to be desired. In the first place, readily manufactured examples tend to be identical and therefore, in practice, look anything but natural. Custom products, on the other hand, tend not to be well formed and generally do not withstand the elements, precluding outdoors use. 
     With the shortcomings of the prior art clear in mind, and in the face of long felt but unfulfilled need for improvement, it is an overriding object of the present invention to improve over the prior art by providing a realistically shaped prop flower that can be produced in grossly oversized proportion. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention, however, to provide such a prop flower that is also generally impervious to the elements and which can be expected to have a long useful life. 
     Finally, is an object of the present invention to provide such a prop flower that is readily susceptible to variation such as would be expected in nature, thereby ensuring that the resulting prop flower is suitable for any production or occasion, even where multiple prop flowers are to be displayed or otherwise used side by side or in close proximity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention—a method for construction of a realistically formed and moisture resistant prop flower—generally comprises the steps of: providing a rigid ball dependently supported atop a tubular member extending therefrom; affixing an interior, base panel over and about the tubular member and the rigid ball and, thereafter, affixing a plurality of outer panels over and about the interior, base panel; and shaping at least a portion of the interior, base panel and each outer panel into petals by alternately applying heated air and ambient temperature air to each portion being shaped. In a critical aspect of the present invention, the interior, base panel and each outer panel comprises a fine, closed-cell foam material having a substantially smooth outer surface, such as, for example, tightly cross-linked polyethylene foam. 
     The interior, base panel most preferably comprises a cinquefoil, but in at least some implementations may comprise a trefoil or quatrefoil. The rigid ball preferably comprises a plastic material, such as closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam. The tubular member preferably comprises polyvinyl chloride. 
     In at least the most preferred implementations of the present invention, the method for construction further comprises the step, following the shaping step, of applying a flexible coating to exposed areas of interior, base panel and each outer panel. The applied flexible coating preferably comprises a synthetic rubber coating. 
     Finally, many other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, especially in light of the foregoing discussions and the following drawings, exemplary detailed description and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, a detailed description of the preferred embodiment follows together with illustrative figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows, in a perspective view, a base form, about which the prop flower of the present invention may be shaped, with a mounting pole affixed thereto; 
         FIG. 2  shows, in a top view, an exemplary interior base panel of flexible foam as prepared for utilization in forming the upper pistil and interior petals of the prop flower; 
         FIG. 3  shows, in a top view, an exemplary outer panel of flexible foam as prepared for utilization in forming the individual outer petals of the prop flower; 
         FIG. 4  shows, in a cross-sectional view, various details of the interior structure and outer surfaces of the foam utilized in the construction of the interior base panel of  FIG. 2  and the outer panel of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows, in a side perspective view, details of the initial application of the interior base panel of  FIG. 2  to the base form and mounting pole of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows, in a side perspective view corresponding to that of  FIG. 5 , additional details of the application of the interior base panel of  FIG. 2  to the base form of  FIG. 1  and, in particular, details of the initial conformance of a petal of the base panel to the rigid ball of the base form; 
         FIG. 7  shows, in a side perspective view corresponding to that of  FIGS. 5 through 6 , additional details of the application of the interior base panel of  FIG. 2  to the base form of  FIG. 1  and, in particular, further details of the conformance of the previously depicted petal of the base panel to the rigid ball of the base form; 
         FIG. 8  shows, in a side perspective view corresponding to that of  FIGS. 5 through 7 , additional details of the application of the interior base panel of  FIG. 2  to the base form of  FIG. 1  and, in particular, details of the conformance of further petals of the base panel to the rigid ball of the base form; 
         FIG. 9  shows, in a side perspective view corresponding to that of  FIGS. 5 through 8 , additional details of the application of the interior base panel of  FIG. 2  to the base form of  FIG. 1  and, in particular, the state of the construction of the prop flower where all petals of the base panel are initially conformed about the rigid ball of the base form preparatory to initial placement of the outer panels; 
         FIG. 10  shows, in a side perspective view corresponding to that of  FIGS. 5 through 9 , details of the initial application of a first outer panel to the interior base panel as previously positioned about the base form of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  shows, in a side perspective view corresponding to that of  FIGS. 5 through 10 , additional details of the application of the first outer panel to the interior base panel; 
         FIG. 12  shows, in a side perspective view corresponding to that of  FIGS. 5 through 11 , the state of the construction of the prop flower where all outer panels are initially applied about and to the interior base panel preparatory to final manipulation of the interior base panel and outer panels to realistically form the petals of the prop flower; 
         FIG. 13  shows, in a side perspective view corresponding to that of  FIGS. 5 through 12 , the initial step in the manipulation of an outer panel to form the petals of the prop flower; 
         FIG. 14  shows, in a side perspective view corresponding to that of  FIGS. 5 through 13 , various additional details of manipulation of an outer panel to form the petals of the prop flower and, in particular, the heating of a portion of the previously depicted outer panel about a solid form; 
         FIG. 15  shows, in a side perspective view corresponding to that of  FIGS. 5 through 14 , various additional details of manipulation of an outer panel to form the petals of the prop flower and, in particular, the cooling of the previously depicted portion of the outer panel about the previously depicted solid form; 
         FIG. 16  shows, in a side perspective view corresponding to that of  FIGS. 5 through 15 , the finally formed prop flower of the present invention as manufactured according to the preferred method of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 17  shows, in a top perspective view, the prop flower of  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Although those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize many alternative embodiments, especially in light of the illustrations provided herein, this detailed description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scope of which is limited only by the claims appended hereto. 
     Referring now to the figures, the prop flower  20  of the present invention, which in the most preferred implementations of the invention is formed as a rose, generally comprises a base form  21 , about which the prop flower  20  is formed; an interior, base panel  28  of foam material; and a plurality of outer panels  31  of foam material; and wherein the panels  28 ,  29  are cooperatively adapted to form the various petal structures of the prop flower  20 . 
     As particularly shown in  FIG. 1 , the base form  21  most preferably comprises a rigid ball  22  of about 6 inches to about 8 inches in diameter at the scale of implementation chosen for this exemplary only description. Although other shapes may be utilized in a particular implementation, it is noted that the depicted ball shape is generally preferred because, as will be better understood further herein, the base form  21  will take the role of the ovary of the prop flower  20  in its construction and display. Additionally, in order to ensure maximum compatibility with other preferred materials of construction, the rigid ball  22  is preferably manufactured of a plastics material such as, for example, closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam such as that which is commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Mich. under its famous trademark “STYROFOAM.” 
     As also shown in  FIG. 1 , a mounting pole  24  is also provided in connection with the rigid ball  22 , which, as will be better understood further herein, will take the role of a stem in the construction and utilization in display of the prop flower  20 . As depicted, the mounting pole may comprise a readily available tubular section  25  manufactured of polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) and measuring, according to this exemplary only description, about 1.5 inches in diameter and 10 inches long. Consistent with this provision, the rigid ball  22  is provided with a bore  23  of about 1.5 inches in diameter and 2 to 3 inches deep. In any case, one end of the tubular section  25  is inserted into the provided bore  23  and thereafter fixed in place with a compatible adhesive, the many choices of which are well within the ordinary skill in the art. 
     As previously touched upon, a plurality of flexible foam panels  26  are cooperatively adapted to take the role of the various petal structures in the finally formed prop flower  20  of the present invention. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a first foam panel  26  is cut out or otherwise formed as an interior, base panel  28 . As depicted in the figure, the interior base panel  28  preferably comprises at least five radially extending petals  29  to form a cinquefoil panel, but in the case of a smaller prop flower  20  may comprise four panels to form a quatrefoil panel or even as few as three panels to form a trefoil panel. In any case, as will be better understood, the cinquefoil or similarly patterned interior, base panel  28  will form the upper pistil and interior petals of the prop flower  20 . To this end, each radially extending petal  29  of the interior, base panel  28  is most preferably generally egg shaped. In order to facilitate manufacture of the prop flower  20  of the present invention, the interior, base panel  28  is also provided with a central orifice of size and shape generally corresponding to the circular cross section of the tubular section  25  forming the provided mounting pole  24 . 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a plurality of other foam panels  26  are cut out or otherwise formed into outer panels  31 , each being forming a single generally egg shaped petal of larger size than the radially extending petals  29  of the interior, base panel  28 . As will be better understood further herein, these outer panels  31  will form the individual outer petals of the prop flower  20 . In order to facilitate manufacture of the prop flower  20  of the present invention, each outer panel  31  is provided with a generally arcuate notch  32  at the narrow end of the panel  31 . 
     In order to work the flexible foam panels  26 , Applicant has discovered that under the scale of the exemplary implementation herein described each flexible foam panel  26  is best manufactured from foam stock of about 0.25 inches thick, although stock as thin as 0.125 inches thick may be adequately utilized at least in implementation of a much smaller prop flower. In any case, and as a critical aspect of the present invention, each flexible foam panel  26  of the present invention should be constructed of a fine, closed-cell foam with a generally smooth outer surface  27 , as particularly shown in  FIG. 4 . To this end, Applicant has found suitable the cross-linked polyethylene foam commercially available from Sekisui America Corporation of Lawrence, Mass. under its well-known trademark “VOLARA.” 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 through 17 , the preferred manufacture of the prop flower  20  of the present invention is detailed step by step. To begin, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the interior, base panel  28  is positioned such that the central orifice  30  of the interior, base panel  28  circumscribes the mounting pole  24  extending from the base form  21  and the interior, base panel  28  is located just below the base form  21 . In this position or, if desired, prior to the previous step, the portion of at least one radially extending panel  29  adjacent to the central orifice  30  and extending outward approximately one quarter of the circumference of the base form  21 , as well as the corresponding area of the base form  21 , is coated with a contact type spray adhesive. With respect to the materials of construction of the prop flower  20 , the contact type spray adhesive utilized should exhibit high initial grab but also have sufficient open time to properly position the materials, as will be better understood further herein. Although any substantially equivalent adhesive may be utilized in a particular implementation, Applicant has found suitable the multipurpose spray adhesive commercially available from 3M Company of St. Paul, Minn. under its well-known trademark “SUPER 77.” 
     In any case, when the surfaces are treated with the spray adhesive as recommended by the manufacturer&#39;s instructions, the prepared radially extending panel  29  is upwardly positioned as depicted in  FIG. 6  and one interior vertical edge and the opposite exterior vertical edge is also treated with the spray adhesive. With the edges treated as described, the radially extending panel  29  is then folded into the closed shape as shown in  FIG. 7  and a heat gun  33  is utilized to heat and smooth the critically selected material of the radially extending panel  29  about the base form  21 . As will be appreciated in light of this exemplary discussion, this first radially extending panel  29  will form the upper pistil of the finished prop flower  20 . In any case, as particularly shown in  FIG. 8 , each successive radially extending panel  29  is similarly adhered to the base form  21  and adjacent radially extending panels  29  and smoothed utilizing manual manipulation under the flow of heated air. This process continues until the structure of  FIG. 9  is obtained. 
     Turning then to  FIG. 10 , the initial attachment of a first outer panel  31  is shown. As before, the lower portion of the outer panel  31 , as well as a corresponding area of the exteriorly accessible section of the previously applied interior, base panel  28 , is treated with the selected contact type spray adhesive and the arcuate notch  32  of the outer panel  31  is position as shown adjacent the mounting pole  24 . With the outer panel  31  so positioned, the outer panel  31  is then smoothed over and about at least the area of the interior, base panel  28  covering the base form  21 , as particularly depicted in  FIG. 11 . As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art in light of this exemplary description, heated air is utilized as required to facilitate formation. In any case, successive outer panels  31 , numbering about 7 or 8 according to this exemplary implementation, are then similarly applied around and about the structure in progress to result in the structure depicted in  FIG. 12 . The structure thus far completed is then allowed to rest as necessary for the contact type spray adhesive to dry and close. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13 through 15 , in particular, the steps for final formation of the petals of the prop flower  20  are described. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the outer, top edge of an outermost outer panel  31  is turned outward and downward, whereafter successive, alternating applications of heated air from the heat gun  33  and ambient temperature air from a compressed air source  34  are utilized to shape and lock the shape of the petals. As an aid in this process, one or more tubular or otherwise shaped forms  35  may be provided and utilized. In any case, this process is continued until the prop flower  20  of the natural form, as depicted in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , is achieved. 
     Finally, the most preferred method of manufacture of the prop flower  20  of the present invention comprises the step of applying a flexible coating to the finally formed prop flower  20 . According the most preferred implementation, the applied flexible coating should comprise a synthetic coating, which provides realistic coloring, as well as protection against the elements, while also enabling natural movement of the individual petals of the prop flower. This natural movement not only provides additional realism, but also generally precludes cracking and the like to be expected with ordinary paints and the like. The flexible coating is preferably applied by spraying, although it can also be brushed on. Although any substantially equivalent flexible coating may be utilized in a particular implementation, Applicant has found suitable the synthetic rubber coating commercially available from Plasti Dip International, Inc. of Blaine, Minn. under its well-known trademark “PLASTI DIP.” 
     In use, the resultant prop flower  20 , which is weather resistant and very realistic, is simply transported to any desired location, indoors or out of doors, and secured in place by any conventional means using the provided mounting pole  24  as a convenient point of attachment. 
     While the foregoing description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize the many variations, alterations, modifications, substitutions and the like as are readily possible, especially in light of this description, the accompanying drawings and claims drawn thereto. In any case, because the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, the foregoing detailed description should not be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims appended hereto.