Patent Description:
The present disclosure generally relates to festive goods and decorations and, more particularly, artificial trees, garland, wreaths, flowers, decorative products, and decorative lighting, used to decorate or otherwise to create ambiance.

Artificial trees, displayed to celebrate holidays and occasions or otherwise used to decorate and create ambiance, are growing in popularity. Presently, the foliage of decorative trees and other decorative accessories is typically opaque or tinsel, or incorporates fiber optics in the needles. A variety of styles can be created with opaque, tinsel, or fiber-optic needles. However, a need exists for novel looks and styles of artificial decorative trees and accessories. <CIT> describes decorative elements made of thin film or sheet polymers, and in particular to such decorations such as garlands, ribbons, artificial icicles and artificial Christmas trees where environmental considerations and flammability concerns are important.

The present invention provides novel and appealing designs and styles for artificial foliage by providing translucent artificial foliage.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides artificial foliage material comprising a polymer, an anti-UV additive component in the range of about <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the total artificial foliage material, a phosphorus fire-retardant additive component in the range of <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the total artificial foliage material, and wherein the artificial foliage material is translucent.

The translucent artificial foliage provided by the present invention enables the creation of foliage that resembles translucent materials in nature or otherwise in the world, such as ice, coral, or sea glass, and that resembles nonnatural objects.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, some examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings.

Exemplary disclosed embodiments include an apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing translucent or transparent artificial foliage. The term "translucent" is used herein to refer to materials that allow light to pass through the material, including materials ranging in translucency from transparent materials that allow all light to pass through the material to nearopaque materials that allow a small amount of light to pass through the material. An ordinary artisan would understand that these materials can be translucent, transparent, iridescent, and/or clear.

Referring to <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of translucent artificial foliage <NUM> is depicted. The translucent artificial foliage <NUM> shown in <FIG> provides a branch, including needles and a stem. In one embodiment, this translucent artificial foliage <NUM> is just a single branch with three twigs, as depicted in <FIG>. In another embodiment, translucent artificial foliage <NUM> is a portion of a translucent artificial wreath in which all of the foliage of the wreath is translucent. In another embodiment, translucent artificial foliage <NUM> is a portion of a translucent artificial garland in which all of the foliage of the garland is translucent. In yet another embodiment, translucent artificial foliage <NUM> is a portion of a translucent artificial tree, such as an artificial Christmas tree, in which all of the foliage of the tree is translucent. "Tree," as used in this disclosure, should be read to include trees that grow on land, as well as coral, such as coral that grows in the ocean. Similarly, "foliage" should not be read to be limited to the needles or leaves of branches on trees or plants on the ground, but should also include other forms in nature, such as shapes and designs made to resemble forms of coral. Therefore, the artificial foliage <NUM> may, in some embodiments, be shaped as one or more forms of coral, or a portion of coral or other like forms found in nature.

As shown in <FIG>, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can have many needles, such as needle <NUM> and needle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> may emulate the look of natural foliage, such as a branch as depicted in the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>. However, translucent artificial foliage <NUM> is different from nature in that the foliage is translucent, thereby providing a different aesthetic from natural foliage. Accordingly, an exemplary embodiment of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> allows at least some light to pass through the foliage. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can allow more or less light to pass through the foliage. For example, in one embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be semitransparent such that light is diffused by the foliage, and objects cannot be seen clearly through the foliage. In another embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be near-transparent, such that almost all light passes through the foliage. In yet another embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be slightly less than opaque, so that only a small amount of light is diffused by the foliage.

Embodiments of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can provide decorative products that are shaped as and resemble translucent materials in nature or otherwise in the world, such as ice, coral, or sea glass, as opposed to translucent decorations or adornments added to otherwise opaque trees. Furthermore, embodiments of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be used in artificial Christmas trees or artificial coral that can facilitate, or make more dramatic, the effect of other materials or additives, such as inks that vary with the presence or absence of heat or light, various pigments, fluorescence, glitter, ice crystals, beads and berries, that can greatly vary the look of the trees.

The materials used for embodiments of translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can utilize a mixture of various materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the materials of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> are substantially based on polymers, and these polymers can be polyvinyl chloride ("PVC"), polyethylene ("PE"), polypropylene, or other suitable synthetic polymers. Alternative embodiments of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be created by other suitable organic or synthetic non-polymer materials.

In some embodiments, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be linear low-density polyethylene ("LLDPE") or low-density polyethylene ("LDPE"). In other embodiments of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>, the materials are substantially based on copolymers, also in the polyolefin family, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (commonly abbreviated "EVA"). Those of skill in the art will appreciate that different polymers or copolymers exhibit different characteristics and can be selected for different designs for those characteristics. For example, LLDPE can provide a harder foliage needle to the touch, which may be preferred in some tree styles/designs, and LDPE can provide a softer foliage needle to the touch, which may be preferable to the designer for other tree styles. In some designs, a mix of different types of PE tips can be used in a single product, such as an artificial Christmas tree, coral, wreaths, or garland.

In an exemplary embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> is used for an artificial Christmas tree. In this embodiment, the artificial Christmas tree is comprised of numerous branches, such as a branch with twigs depicted in <FIG>. These branches can be made from a plurality of tips, which can be formed by the process of injection molding. The individual tips of the branches can be attached to a branch stem, such as a bendable metal wire, by the wrapping of a thread, such as a nylon thread, around the end of each tip and the branch stem. In an exemplary embodiment, the galvanized wire stem itself can be wrapped or otherwise coated in a white or translucent PE resin or painted in a whiteish color coating, in order to make it blend in with the translucent foliage material. In other embodiments, the branches can be made through an extrusion process rather than injection molding.

As shown in <FIG>, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be used to provide a portion of a branch <NUM>. For example, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> shown in <FIG> provides a branch stem <NUM> and needles of branch <NUM>. The branch <NUM> provides multiple twigs having needles and the branch stem <NUM>. The branch stem <NUM> in the exemplary embodiment shown <FIG> includes a bendable metal wire.

As shown in <FIG>, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be used for an artificial Christmas tree <NUM>. The artificial Christmas tree in <FIG> is almost entirely formed of translucent artificial foliage <NUM>. Embodiments of translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can provide shapes and types of trees that are replicated in the design of artificial trees. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be used for varying portions of the artificial Christmas tree, from a small portion of the tree to almost the entirety of the artificial Christmas tree, as shown in <FIG>. For example, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> shown in <FIG> provides the stem and needles of the branches of the tree. As shown in the exemplary embodiment in <FIG>, the lights of the artificial Christmas tree can be diffused by the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>; thus, the light at least partially travels through the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>. Accordingly, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> of the exemplary embodiment of the artificial Christmas tree is able to capture a portion of the light from the tree and disperse that light in a unique and novel manner. Furthermore, embodiments of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> enable light to flow through or otherwise interact with the foliage to create a novel and stunning appearance. Embodiments of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can also be used to form bulbs or domes, or other coverings used in connection with lights or lighting devices, giving rise to stunning lighting effects or looks.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other items, such as wreaths and garland, can be formed in part with translucent artificial foliage <NUM>. Accordingly, embodiments of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be used in the foliage of garlands, swags, and wreaths, as well as bulbs, domes or other coverings used in connection for decorative lighting, and can also be used for decorating or ambiance. Further, similar to an artificial Christmas tree, the foliage of garland or wreaths or coral can be made from a plurality of tips.

In an exemplary embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be made of a material mixture formed into objects by the method of injection molding. In an exemplary embodiment, the formula for the material for the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be a base component of PE with anti-UV additives combined with antioxidant properties in the range of about <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the total amount of foliage material. In one embodiment, the anti-UV additives can be in the approximate amount of <NUM>% of the total amount of foliage material. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the formula for the material for the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can include phosphorus fire-retardant additives that can be included in the range of <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the total amount of foliage material. In one embodiment the fire-retardant additives can be included in the approximate amount of <NUM>% of the total amount of foliage material. Additionally, an exemplary embodiment of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can include pigments or inks added for creation of hues or other effects. In one embodiment, the formula for the material for the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be a base component of PE with anti-UV additives combined with antioxidant properties in the approximate amount of <NUM>% of the total amount of foliage material and phosphorus fire retardant additives in the approximate amount of <NUM>% of the total amount of foliage material. In an alternative embodiment, the material mixture for the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be other polymer materials suitable for injection molding.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>, described further with respect to <FIG>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be used for an artificial Christmas tree <NUM> and the wiring used for lighting the tree can be wrapped or otherwise coated with a translucent material provided by the present invention in order to help the wiring blend into the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the wiring can be coated in opaque colors, also designed to blend into the foliage. In another embodiment, wireless lighting can be implemented for the artificial Christmas tree <NUM>, and the components for transmitting and receiving power may be coated in translucent or opaque materials, designed to blend in with the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, thin copper wiring may be provided with the artificial Christmas tree <NUM>, or copper wiring can be coated to blend into the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the needles for the artificial Christmas tree <NUM> with translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be varied, such as adding other materials or pigments or light for various effects. In an exemplary embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be created by adding hues or tints into the mixture, such as iridescence, or hues or tints to mimic sea glass, or other colors. In another embodiment materials can be applied to the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>, such as flocking, glitter, or thin threads, to create the appearance of snow, ice, fairy dust, spider webs, cotton candy or fairy floss, or other effects or designs. In another embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be made with tinting made to resemble the tints of sea glass, in order that light-translucent greens, clears, and blues, individually or separately, or in an array of shades or tints, such that the tree is made to give the impression of translucent sea glass found of the beach. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be varied according to the desired design to generate different a look and feel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can include reactive pigments or inks, which interact with different types of light, like UV light or normal light, or change in temperatures, and as a result, change color or other appearances. In another embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can be tips that include distinct blends of hues or other materials in a single tip. The tips can be further modified in another embodiment to include flocking or glitter.

As shown in <FIG>, in an exemplary embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can include lighting elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> that can provide white light or light of varying colors and/or patterns. Accordingly, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> in an exemplary embodiment can disperse the light provided by lighting elements located internal to the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the lighting elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> are located at end portions that are ends of the needles of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, lighting elements are located at end portions of the foliage, which are ends of coral branches. In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs). In other embodiments, the lighting elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be incandescent light bulbs. Those of skill in the art will appreciate the lighting elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be varied according to the requirements and needs of a particular design.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the lighting elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are positioned in the tips of the needles of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>, the lighting elements can be placed at a midpoint in the needle of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>. In other embodiments of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>, the lighting elements can be placed only in the stem of a branch of translucent artificial foliage <NUM> or sporadically placed in various areas of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>.

The lighting elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> shown in <FIG> can be electrically connected via wires <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to a power source. In an alternative embodiment, the lighting elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be wirelessly connected to a power source, thereby removing the need for wires <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In exemplary embodiment, the lighting elements can be inserted into the mold cavities for the PE tips. Alternatively, the lighting elements can be inserted after the formation of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment, light can be distributed through the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> via fiber optics. In this embodiment, the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> can include optical fiber made and incorporated into branches to mimic hard needles. Further, in this embodiment, a lighting apparatus can be located in the base of the tree or external to the tree, and light can be projected thru the translucent artificial foliage <NUM> with open ends at the tips of the needles of the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts an exemplary embodiment of the present invention providing a method of manufacturing the translucent artificial foliage <NUM>. As with the other embodiments disclosed herein, the method shown is only an example, and steps may be added, removed, altered, reordered, or a combination thereof. The method generally may be used to form a tip or a plurality of tips that can be used to form foliage.

The method includes starting at step <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the method includes premixing a material mixture and oven curing it at <NUM>. The material mixture may include any mixture described herein and may be referred to as an artificial foliage material. The premixing may include combining a polymer with an anti-UV additive component in the range of about <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the total artificial foliage material and a phosphorus fire-retardant additive component in the range of <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the total artificial foliage material.

Claim 1:
An artificial foliage (<NUM>) comprising an artificial foliage material, the artificial foliage material comprising:
a polymer;
an anti-UV additive component in the range of <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the total artificial foliage material; and
a phosphorus fire-retardant additive component in the range of <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the total artificial foliage material, wherein the artificial foliage material is translucent.