Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the construction of reproductions of natural landscapes and, more specifically, to a method of constructing natural foliage model vegetation and to the natural foliage model vegetation. 
     Reproductions of natural landscapes find many uses, from architectural models to battle field scenes to model railroad displays. Realistic model trees, bushes and other vegetation are an important part of creating lifelike reproductions. 
     Several methods exist for producing realistic model trees. One such method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,793 issued to the present inventors. The method described in this patent includes binding a mass of ground rubber-like particles together with an adhesive solution, drying the mass on a molding surface and then gluing the resulting member to a trunk and limb representing structure. Another method for producing realistic model trees is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,481 issued to one of the present inventors. The method described in this patent includes a leaf simulating material of ground rubber-like foam particles to a substrate of non-ferrous light-penetrable fibrous material. Although these methods produce generally acceptable model trees, there are applications for which the resulting trees are not sufficiently realistic. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide model vegetation and a method for constructing same wherein the model vegetation is more realistic in appearance than those currently available. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide model vegetation and a method for constructing same wherein natural foliage is used as a component. 
     Further objects of this invention will be apparent to persons knowledgeable with products of this general type upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method for constructing model vegetation utilizing natural foliage and the products resulting therefrom are described. The method includes the steps of providing a segment of natural foliage, immersing the natural foliage into a liquid colorant, and applying leaf simulating material to the natural foliage. For larger model vegetation or for model vegetation requiring a base, a trunk armature is utilized with additional steps including removing the branches from the natural foliage and affixing those branches to the trunk armature. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate the parts in the various views: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a segment of natural foliage; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a natural foliage model plant without a trunk armature; 
     FIG. 3 is an illustration of the steps involved in constructing a natural foliage model plant without a trunk armature according to the method of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a trunk armature; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a trunk armature with natural foliage branches affixed and being affixed; and 
     FIG. 6 is an illustration of the steps involved in constructing a natural foliage model plant with a trunk armature according to the method of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is an illustration of an alternative set of steps for constructing natural foliage model plant with a trunk armature. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The first step in constructing model vegetation according the present invention is to select a segment of natural foliage of appropriate size for the model tree desired. If the model vegetation is to be made without a tree armature, such as when a small tree or bush or a tree with a thin trunk is desired, the segment of natural foliage chosen should be the same size as the model desired. If the model vegetation is to be made with a tree armature, such as when a larger tree or a tree with a thicker trunk is desired or if the tree requires a base, then the segment of natural foliage should be chosen for the number of branches it contains, that is, the segment or segments should contain enough branches to complete the construction. For either situation, the segment of natural foliage should be rigid, thin and lightweight. It is preferable that the segment of natural foliage be dehydrated. If the segment is not dehydrated, then it should be dried before proceeding. One example of a plant well suited for this task is chenopodiaceae aristata teloxys. 
     FIG. 1 depicts a segment of natural foliage, and specifically chenopodiaceae aristata teloxys, generally designated by the numeral  10 , for use in the present invention. The natural foliage  10  shown consists of a stem  12  with a number of branches  14  attached. The branches  14  are of various lengths and may divide into smaller branches. Several dried florets  16  are coupled to each branch  14 . The florets  16  are not a necessary part of the natural foliage. 
     Turning first of all to the construction of natural foliage model vegetation which does not employ an armature structure, the steps for carrying out the method of the present invention are shown in FIG.  3 . The first step is indicated at station  30  and comprises selecting an appropriate segment of natural foliage which, as previously discussed, is preferably chenopodiaceae aristata teloxys. This natural foliage is moved to station  32  where it is subjected to a liquid colorant, preferably through immersion. In addition to providing color to the natural foliage, the liquid colorant insures that the natural foliage is flexible and strong enough to support the leaf simulating material added later in the invention. The preferred colorant is a colored polymer which may be thinned with water so that it does not extend from branch to branch after it is applied to the natural foliage. If thinning is necessary, the ratio of colored polymer to water should be between 1:1 and and preferably 1:1. Both latex paint and oil base paint thinned with an appropriate thinner such as mineral spirits may also be utilized. Grey, black, brown and white colors are preferred but other colors may also be utilized to simulate further variations of natural foliage. 
     Following the immersion of the foliage at station  32 , the material is moved to station  34  where a leaf simulating material is applied. It is important that the foliage be moved to station  34  before the colorant dries so that the colorant will adhere the leaf simulating material. The preferred leaf simulating material is a resilient foam, such as polyurethane, urethane or latex which has been ground or shredded to achieve particles of the desired size and which has been colored a natural color, usually one or more shades of natural vegetation. Two different sizes have been employed for the ground foam particles, specifically, a large size that is large enough to pass over a number #24 mesh screen and small enough to pass through a #8 mesh screen and a small size that is large enough to pass over a number #24 mesh screen and small enough to pass through a #0 mesh screen. Thus the ground foam should be large enough to pass over a number 24 mesh screen and small enough to pass through a larger size screen. 
     The preferred method for an individual to apply the material at station  34  is to sprinkle the material over the natural foliage so that the material will stick to the liquid colorant, covering at least some of the branches  14 . If the model vegetation is being mass produced, then a mechanism, such as a tumbler, may be employed. The leaf simulating material  22  may be applied at different densities to achieve different appearances in the final product. The leaf simulating material  22  is preferably applied in an irregular non-uniform fashion in order to present the appearance of a complex foliage pattern. 
     When the application of the leaf simulating material  22  is complete, the model tree structure is moved to drying station  36  which is preferably an air dry, although a slightly elevated temperature may be employed to speed up the drying process. Next, the model tree structure is moved to station  38  where an adhesive or fixative is applied. Adhesives or fixatives which may be utilized at this station include resin glues, hair spray, or clear coat laquer. A spray application is preferred. Once the adhesive has been applied, the model tree structure is moved to station  40  where it is further dried so as to complete the model tree structure  20 . (FIG.  2 ). 
     Construction of a natural foliage model tree structure employing a trunk armature is illustrated in the schematic of FIG.  6 . The first step in the process is to select natural foliage which is indicated at station  94  and comprises the same considerations as discussed above in conjunction with the alternative method. The natural foliage material is moved to station  96  where it is subjected to a liquid colorant as previously described at station  32  of the alternative embodiment. Next, at station  98 , leaf simulation material is affixed to the natural foliage as previously described at station  34  of the alternative embodiment. The natural foliage is then moved to station  100  where it is dried. 
     Once dried, the foliage material is moved to station  102  where the branches are removed from the limbs. The preferred method for an individual to remove the branches is to manually grasp the bottom of the stem  12  and pull on the stem through a thumb and finger held tightly against the stem. Another method of removing the branches is to manually remove each individual branch by breaking it away from the stem. This technique may also be employed to remove any branches remaining after the foliage is stripped utilizing the first method described. Yet another method of removing the branches is to employ a mechanism containing a slot with the natural foliage being pulled through the slot. The individual removed branches have been designated by the numeral  77  in FIG.  5 . 
     Next, at station  104 , an adhesive is applied to a trunk armature in a similar manner as previously described at station  38  for the alternative method. The various alternative adhesives previously mentioned are applicable to this process, although at this station the preferred adhesive is a water based contact cement. Methylene chloride is another adhesive that may be utilized at this station. 
     A trunk armature is shown in FIG.  4  and designated generally by the numeral  50 . Trunk armature  50  includes a base  52  that receives a trunk  54 . Trunk armature  50  may be formed to simulate the trunk and branches of a tree, a bush or other plant. A number of limbs  56  extend from the trunk. Preferably, the armature is made of deformable, flexible plastic although other materials including metal alloys may be employed. The plastic is preferably characterized by the ability to be formed in a substantially two dimensional shape and then bent or twisted to form a more or less random three dimensional shape. 
     The prepared natural foliage material previously described along with the trunk armature  50  are both moved to station  106  where the foliage material is affixed to the armature. Following the application of adhesive at station  104 , branches  77  of natural foliage are affixed to the branches of the trunk armature as indicated in FIG.  5 . Manifestly, the branches  77  need to be applied to the armature before the adhesive applied at station  104  is dry. The individual branches  77  are moved into contact with the limbs of armature  50  where they will adhere as a result of the previously applied adhesive. The adhesive binds the natural foliage branches  77  to the limbs  56  of armature  50 . Next, the partially completed artificial plant structure is moved to station  108  where it is allowed to dry. It then advances on to station  110  where a second quantity of adhesive is applied to the partially completed structure. This application of adhesive is carried out as previously described in conjunction with station  104  of the present method and station  38  of the alternative embodiment. Once this is accomplished, the natural foliage branches  77 , the leaf simulating material  22  and the armature  50  are formed into a cohesive unitary structure. The artificial plant structure employing armature  50  is thus complete and ready for use. 
     An alternative method of constructing model vegetation with a trunk armature is illustrated in the schematic of FIG.  7 . In this method, the first step is in the process is to select natural foliage which is indicated at station  70  and comprises the same considerations as discussed above in conjunction with the alternative method. The natural foliage material is moved to station  72  where it is subjected to a liquid colorant as previously described at station  32  of the alternative embodiment. The natural foliage is then allowed to dry at station  74 . Once dried, the foliage material is moved to station  76  where the branches are removed from the limbs as described above at station  102  of the alternative method. 
     Next, at station  78 , an adhesive is applied to a trunk armature in the same manner as previously described at station  104  for the alternative method. The various alternative adhesives previously mentioned are applicable to this process and again a water based contact cement is the preferred adhesive. 
     The prepared natural foliage material previously described along with the armature  50  are both moved to station  80  where the foliage material is affixed to the armature. Following the application of adhesive  78 , branches  77  of natural foliage are affixed to the branches of the trunk armature as indicated in FIG.  5 . Manifestly, branches  77  need to be applied to the armature before the adhesive applied at station  78  is dry. 
     Next, the partially completed structure is moved to station  82  where it is allowed to dry. It then advances on to station  84  where a second quantity of adhesive is applied to the partially completed structure. This application of adhesive is carried out as previously described in conjunction with station  78  of the present method and station  38  of the alternative embodiment. The preferred adhesive at this station is again water based contact cement. 
     Next, the structure is moved to station  86  where a leaf simulating material is applied before the adhesive applied at the previous station has dried. The leaf simulating material and the manner of applying it are the same as described in conjunction with the alternative embodiment at station  34 . The partially completed tree structure is then moved to station  88  where it is allowed to dry. 
     The structure is next moved to station  90  where a third quantity of adhesive is applied in the same manner as previously described in conjunction with station  38  of the alternative embodiment. Once this is accomplished, the structure is moved to station  92  where is it allowed to dry and the natural foliage branches  77 , the leaf simulating material  22  and the armature  50  are formed into a cohesive unitary structure. The artificial plant structure, such as tree  20 , employing armature  50  is thus complete and ready for use. 
     It will be seen from the foregoing that this invention is one well adapted to attain the ends and objects set forth above, and to attain other advantages which are obvious and inherent in the device. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and within the scope of the claims. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, all matter shown in the accompanying drawings or described hereinabove is to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

Technology Category: 1