WO2012116815A1 - Artificial flower - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an artificial flower comprising at least a plurality of leaves (4) composed of planar material layers (3A, 3B) and reinforced in their interior with wire-like and/or planar elements (5), a pedicle (9) and at least one retaining element pair (6A, 6B) for grouping together the wire-like and/or planar elements (5), which reinforce the leaves (4), in a central zone (11) of the artificial flower that is situated close to the pedicle, wherein the wire-like and/or planar elements (5) reinforcing the leaves (4), at least in the central zone (11), and also the holding element pair (6A, 6B), are enclosed by the material layers (3A, 3B) of the leaves (4).

Description

 Artificial flower

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an artificial flower with the features of the preamble of claim 1. Accordingly, an artificial flower comprises several in its interior with plastically deformable, wire-like and / or planar elements, in particular with metal wire stiffened sheets of sheet material layers, a flower stems and at least one pair of holding elements for summarizing the wiry elements that stiffen the leaves in a central zone of the artificial flower near the flower stem.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

In artificial flowers, in addition to ease of manufacture and durability of the aesthetic aspect of particular importance.

CONFIRMATION COPY In order to bend the leaves of an artificial flower in various forms of nature reproduced at will, proposes the US 4,363,837 A, from which the invention proceeds, the leaves stiffening metal wires in the central zone of the artificial flower near the flower stem from the To let stiffening metal wire ummantelnden sheet material layers of the leaves and set in outer longitudinal grooves of a molded plastic hollow tubular body around by means of an elastic retaining ring on Rohrkörperauseren. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Based on this, the invention is based on the problem to improve a generic artificial flower to the effect that a variety of different shapes of the leaves and changes of these shapes is possible in which a variety of shaping changes can be performed without damage or damage.

To solve this problem, a fake flower with the features of claim 1 is proposed. Accordingly, it is provided in a generic artificial flower that the plastically deformable, wire-like and / or planar elements stiffening the leaves are enclosed at least in the central zone of the artificial flower by the material layers of the leaves and likewise the holding element pair by the material layers of the leaves. The invention is based on the recognition that with a blade attachment according to US 4,363,837 A only a limited number of shapes and shaping changes are possible because the metal wires emerging from the leaves at the mounting portions formed by the tubular body and the retaining ring relatively hard kinks on emergence the metal wires from the Halteelemente- pair can suffer. All the more, the more the state of a flower that has blossomed so far, ie leaves pointing radially outwardly from the flower stem, is desired. Another disadvantage of these known artificial flowers is the need to that by receiving the metal wires in the outer longitudinal grooves of the tubular body, this area of the artificial flower is relatively thick and still has to be covered with further thickening, so that the pair of retaining elements is not visible.

The invention is therefore based on the idea of using both the holding element pair and the sheet material layers of the sheets for combining the wire-like and / or sheet-like elements which stiffen the sheets.

As far as the term "artificial flowers" is used, these are to be understood as meaning a multiplicity of decorative elements with centrally combined leaf-like constituents.As far as the invention mentions wire-like and / or planar elements or metal wires, this refers to all plastically deformable objects which are in a bending shape impressed on them Accordingly, such elements need not necessarily be metallic in nature, although especially steel wires have particularly favorable stiffening properties.The term "leaves" includes both floral and foliage leaves.

The wire-like and / or sheet-like elements may on the one hand be elongate-rod-shaped and, on the other hand, flat, in particular similar to the material layers forming the foliage-skin. Flat elements can be constructed both continuously and, preferably, in a net-like manner. The reticulated elements, in turn, may have been initially continuous, but then have been staggered. They may further comprise networks of fine wires. Finally, combinations as well as intermediate solutions of all variants are conceivable. Intermediate solutions are those in which the wire-like elements essentially do not completely encompass a leaf surface or the planar elements essentially do not completely make up a leaf surface. A combined intermediate solution is, for example, a wire which runs along an imaginary main artery of an artificial leaf and additionally has a plastically deformable surface over only a partial surface of the sheet. reinforced network. Among other things, it is achieved by the invention that many shape-changing steps are also possible without the structure of the leaves being damaged. If the stiffening elements bent back wire-like and at least in the central, located near the flower stem zone, thereby creating a substantially U-, V-, or trapezoidal structure of the wire-like element. The stability of the summary of the leaves is thereby increased. If the wire-like element has at least two legs, this increases the variety of shaping possibilities of the leaves. Preferably, the two legs are connected to each other in the central zone, wherein the two legs in the proximal region of the zone have a remaining distance from each other and can be connected end to end or formed in one piece. In the distal area, the lateral distance can increase. Particularly preferably, the legs extend near the edges of the sheet spanned by them. Most preferably, the legs are connected to each other at their distal ends by a further elongate element, in particular by a further wire-like element. Most preferably, a wire-like element is used, which follows a circumferential line, wherein the connecting leg is arranged near the edge or in the edge zone of the respective sheet.

The sheet-like material layers, between which the wire-like and / or sheet-like elements and the pair of holding elements are enclosed in the central zone of the artificial flower, may consist of the usual materials, such as plastic film, cellulosic materials such as paper, fiber materials such as woven, knitted or felted Materials made of leather or artificial leather, but in principle also of metals in films or mesh form. Preferably, the sheets are at least at their edges, in the vicinity of which wire-like and / or sheet-like elements are connected to each other pointwise or linearly, such as a stitched seam, staple-like or rivet-like structures, or by crimping, soldering or welding or by gluing. Among other things, thereby the wire-like and / or sheet-like elements as good as no damage cause the sheet edges, even if they are sharp and / or multiple and bent in alternating directions. The surface areas of the sheet-like material layers which are not touched by the wire-like and / or planar elements can lie loosely on one another. However, they are preferably firmly connected to one another by one of the above-described connecting means, in particular by punctiform, linear or planar bonding. In all cases, so-called contact adhesive or hot-melt adhesive can be used to connect the sheet-like material layers. The wire-like elements are particularly preferably made of plastically deformable steel wire, but possibly also made of spring steel wire and made of softer metallic materials. For the wire-like and / or sheet-like elements in addition to metallic materials and a variety of plastically deformable plastic materials into consideration. In any case, the wire-like and / or sheet-like elements can be shaped to suit the specific application, different properties by different material thickness or cross-sectional shapes, such as circular, polygonal, flat, spiral, etc. Also, the bending hardness, the elastic portion of the restoring forces and the resistance to plastic deformation can be adapted to the application.

The pair of retaining elements can basically consist of a great variety of shapes and materials. Particularly preferred are metallic and those materials whose bending resistance is relatively large, such as metallic see discs or rings. Particularly preferred are the same shaped retaining elements, such as two equally shaped discs. The wire-like and / or sheet-like elements are inserted between the holding elements. They can also be firmly connected to them by gluing or one of the other connection methods mentioned above with the contacting areas of the wire-like and / or sheet-like elements. As a rule, however, it is sufficient, as is preferred, for a sandwich construction to be formed whose innermost layer consists of regions of the stiffening wire-like and / or planar elements to which connect a retaining element of the pair of retaining elements on both sides and a flat layer of material is located on each of the outer sides.

For example, as preferred, this sandwich construction may be held together by bonding the sheet material layers outside of the support pair member, and particularly outside the central zone of the artificial flower, by at least one of the above-mentioned bonding methods. As a result, inter alia, a low construction height, i. Thickness of the artificial flower reached in the region of the central zone and even with multiple bending of the wire-like and / or sheet-like elements, the sheet structure and the central holding zone are not damaged. It is also possible, by a central rivet or other Durchverbindungsmittel, the sandwich assembly, in particular approximately centrally held together. This measure can be used in addition or as an alternative to the above-described connection measures. It can also be provided that the holding elements are provided with special receiving areas, e.g. to secure the position of the touched by you wire-like and / or planar elements are equipped, such as grooves, cams or the like.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the sandwich arrangement can be additionally stabilized by clamping disks. At least one clamping disc clamps the leaves together. The clamping disc has a yielding opening, which is placed under a mechanical tension when it is placed on the flower stem. The mechanical tension prevents slipping of the clamping discs and thus enables a clamping of the leaves. In the case of only one clamping disc, at least one other component, for example a sheathing of the rod or a rod collar, must act as an abutment.

The rod preferably has sufficient strength to absorb common forces on the artificial flower without damage. Such forces occur, for example, when the artificial flower is touched on its flower stalk and then worn. However, the rod can also, depending on the application, be elastically or plastically deformable. Accordingly, countless materials are available for the production of the rod. These may include metals, plastics and natural products (wood, cardboard, etc), be.

The artificial flower may include flower and / or leaves. The leaves may have at least one stem-leaf approach close to the stem, which serves not so much as imaging the natural model, but rather as attaching to the stem, and for this reason does not correspond to the natural proportions of the model. The at least one foliage leaf may have at least one wire-like and / or planar element in order to achieve a rigidity which is helpful for attachment to the stem or for modeling the leaf. The at least one foliage lug may eventually include a connector to further enhance attachment of the leaf to the stalk. The connector can be rivet or double rivet-shaped and, together with the foliage leaf extension, comprise the stem. The connector may also be formed as a cord or wire and include the flower stem together with the foliage leaf approach and thus connect the foliage leaf with flower stems. Alternatively, the connector can fully embrace the stem as a cord or wire and attach the foliage leaf to the flower stem. Finally, the connector may also be an adhesive, a clamp or needle-like.

The above-mentioned and the claimed components to be used according to the invention described in the exemplary embodiments are not subject to special conditions of size, shape, material selection and technical design, so that the selection criteria known in the field of application can be used without restriction

Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the subclaims, as well as from the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which - by way of example - an embodiment of an artificial flower is shown. Also, individual features of the claims or of the embodiments may be combined with other features of other claims and embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In the drawing

Fig. 1 is a flower artificial without pistils in perspective view;

Fig. 2A the same artificial flower in plan view from above and partly broken up with wire-like elements;

2B shows an alternative artificial flower in plan view from above and partly broken away with a flat element;

FIG. 3A shows the same artificial flower as in FIGS. 1 and 2A in an exploded view with wire-like elements;

FIG. 3B shows the alternative artificial flower according to FIG. 2B in an exploded view with a planar element; FIG. FIG. 4A shows a flower stem according to FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B with a first longitudinal section at the level of a foliage leaf;

4B shows the same flower stem according to FIG. 4A with a second longitudinal section rotated by 90 ° to the first longitudinal section;

Fig. 5 of the foliage leaf of Figure 4A is a partially broken side view.

FIGS. 6A, B show the flower stem in a perspective view (FIG. 6A) and in cross section (FIG. 6B) of the artificial flower according to FIGS. 1 to 4; Fig. 7 of the artificial flower of Figures 2A and 2B is an axial section, fragmentary and exploded.

Fig. 8 the same artificial flower after a further production step in the

 Representation of Fig. 7;

9 the representation of a crimped seam;

10 shows the illustration of a non-crimped seam;

11 shows the foliage leaf according to FIGS. 1, 4A, 4B and 5 with curled edge seams;

12 shows a further embodiment of an artificial flower with spoon-like shaped leaves in a perspective view;

FIG. 13A shows yet another embodiment of an artificial flower in one

 Flower box with substantially vertically extending leaves in perspective view; and Fig. 13B is a sheet of the artificial flower of Fig. 13A

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS In the illustration according to FIG. 1, an artificial flower can be seen whose petals 4 in the central zone 11 are connected to each other in a continuous manner and have peripheral seams 1 at the edge. A flower stem 9 made of a coated metal rod 2 is inserted through the central zone of the flower and is covered by a sheet of material 3, which may be a strip of material which is closed along the flower stem 9 with a seam 1. A leaf 4 ^' can be constructed in the same way as a petal 4 and inside a stiffening by a wire-like and / or planar Element 5 own. To connect with the flower stem 9, on the one hand by the leaf 4 ^' formed Laubblattansätze 7A, 7B are used, which are also or mainly for decorative purposes. The construction of an artificial flower with wire-like elements 5, as can be seen in plan view from FIG. 2A, results in detail in addition from FIG. 3A. An alternative artificial flower with a flat element 5, however, is sketched in FIGS. 2B and 3B. Both variants have a common sand Wich structure, which will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

3A and 3B show the sandwich structure in an exploded view, in which the petals 4 forming sheet material layers 3A and 3B are the same shape. The material layers 3A and 3B may be cut out in the present case from an approximately circular piece of the sheet material, so that a centrally connected region 11 is formed, which is followed by approximately hook-like petals radiating above the central zone 11 starting diverging edges. The shape of each petal 4 is formed by respective continuous curves 5 ^' of at least one wire-like and / or sheet-like element 5. Each curve consists of radially divergent legs 5A and 5B, which are connected to each other in the connection region 5D, which is located in the central zone 11 and z. B. can be formed from a section by bending. The legs 5A and 5B have a lateral distance from one another except for the connection region 5D, the bending form in the present case being approximately trapezoidal. At the free ends of the legs 5A and 5B these are connected to each other by a further leg 5C, so that the curve 5 ^' corresponds approximately to the shape of the petal 4. The petal 4 has a certain excess, so that outside the curves 5 ^'of the wire-like and / or planar elements, the upper and lower sheet material layers 3A and 3B of the petals 4 can be connected to each other by an edge seam 1 (see Fig. 2). As is further apparent from FIGS. 2A, 3A, 3B, 7 and 8, in the embodiment shown and so far preferred, a pair of holding elements 6A, 6B consists of circular metal discs, such as e.g. As washers, whose size is selected so that at least the connecting portions 5D but preferably also a shorter partial length of the legs 5A and 5B of the wire-like and / or sheet-like elements 5 is covered by the edges and in the middle space for the push-through the central rod 2 of the flower stem 9 remains. The preferred embodiment also includes clamping plates 12A and 12B, which on the one hand additionally hold the sandwich construction together as well as fasten it to a specific location. As a spot on the flower stem 9 here the flower near end of the sheet material layer 3 of the flower stem 9 was chosen.

The assembly of the flower takes place as shown schematically in Fig. 7, from which also the sandwich construction can be seen. The wire-like and / or sheet-like elements 5 are inserted between the holding elements 6A and 6B, and the ensemble is covered above and below by a material layer 3A or 3B and optionally penetrated by the metal rod 2 of the flower stem 9. The clamping discs 12A and 12B complete the layered structure of the flower. This sandwich construction can be connected to one another by bonding the two sheet-like material layers 3A and 3B and subsequently provided with an edge seam 1, as shown in FIG. 8. The adhesive is omitted in Figure 8 for clarity. Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 8 - purely schematically - how the petals 4 can be bent as desired by plastically bending the stiffening wire-like and / or planar elements 5. So it is possible to form the petals as in a still almost closed flowering and as well as a partially or fully inflated flower it is the case.

FIGS. 4A to 6B relate to the parts of the artificial flower which do not belong to the flower, as in the case of the foliage leaf 4 ^' , or only insignificantly, as in the case of the flower stem 9. Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate a foliage leaf 4 ^' on the flower stem 9, Figs. 5 only the leaf 4 ^' and Figs. 6A and 6B, however, only the flower stem 9 represents.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a foliage leaf projection 7A, 7B of the leaf 4 ^' does not have to correspond to the proportions of the natural model. This opens up possibilities for connecting the leaf 4 ^' to the flower stem 9. For example, as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, a connector 10 in the form of a double rivet may connect both parts 7A and 7B of the leaf lug 7A, 7B. Further, as shown in Fig. 5, the stiffening wire-like and / or sheet member 5 from the leaf 4 ^' exit at the stem-side end and through a small opening of the stalk cladding, ie in the sheet material layer 3 between the same and the metal rod. 2 be inserted. The latter can also be profiled differently or tubular in cross-section and, incidentally, also consist of materials other than metals. The foliage leaf 4 ^' can be surrounded on both sides of the stiffening wire-like and / or planar element 5 with a sheet-like material layer 3A, 3B, as can be seen from FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5. Both sheet material layers 3A, 3B can be glued together and sewn at the edges. The described structure of the flower stem 9 results from FIGS. 3A and 3B and in particular from the enlarged detail from FIGS. 6A and 6B. In this case, the sheet-like material layer 3, preferably made of leather, plastic or textiles, encases the rod 2 of the flower stem 9 and is held by a seam 1 on the rod 2. The seam 1 can extend parallel or parallel to an axis of the flower stem 9 or, as can be seen in FIG. 6A, around the flower stem 9. In addition to an aesthetic function, the sheet-like material layer 3, as mentioned with reference to FIG. 5, can also fulfill the function of fastening a leaf 4 ^' .

In order to give the petals 4 or the foliage leaves 4 ^' as natural a look as possible, the edge seams 1, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, can be designed as a crimped seam, ie one of the threads 8A or 8B forming the seam 1 subsequently tightened, so that in this way a is formed, as can be seen from Fig. 11. A standard seam is shown in cross-section in FIG. 10. The effect of the crimp seam 1 is illustrated in FIG. 12 using the example of a further embodiment of an artificial flower with spoon-shaped flower leaves 4. In many cases, ruffled leaves can be better imaged with the curling seam.

Finally, FIG. 13A illustrates another embodiment of a flower without flowers, but with numerous foliage leaves 4 ^' . Fig. 13B shows such a leaf 4 ^' of Fig. 13A in detail. As in the case of the petals 4, sheet-like material layers 3A, 3B surround the wire-like and / or sheet-like elements 5. In the present case, these elements 5 are wire-like with a middle and two outer struts, the outer strut 5 being made of the actual leaf 4 ^'. for fixing purposes. The material layers 3A, 3B are connected via a seam 1 or an adhesive, not shown. The leaves 4 ^' can, as mentioned in Fig. 5, are plugged into the flower stem 9. But you can also be held together as the petals 4 by means of the sandwich construction.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 seam

 2 metal bar

 3 sheet material layer on the flower stem 3A, B sheet material layer of leaves

4 sheets

 4 'leaf

 4 "petal

 5 wire-like and / or planar element 5 'curves

 5A-C leg

 5D connection area

 6A, B holding elements

 7A, B Laubblattansätze

 8A, B thread

 9 flower stems

 10 connectors

 11 Central zone

12A, 12B clamping discs

Claims

Artificial flower comprising at least a plurality of in its interior with plastically deformable, wire-like and / or planar elements (5) stiffened sheets (4) of sheet material layers (3A, 3B), a flower stem (9) and at least one pair of holding elements (6A, 6B) Combining the leaves (4) stiffening wire-like and / or sheet-like elements (5) in a central, located near the flower stem zone (11) of the artificial flower characterized in that the leaves (4) stiffening wire-like and / or sheet-like elements (5 ) are enclosed by the material layers (3A, 3B) of the sheets (4) at least in the central zone (11) and the pair of holding elements (6A, 6B). Artificial flower according to claim 1, characterized in that the stiffening wire-like elements (5) are bent back at least in the central, near the flower stem (9) zone (11), in particular, if thereby a substantially U, V, or trapezoidal Structure of the wire-like element (5) is formed. Artificial flower according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wire-like element (5) has at least two legs (5A-C), in particular when the two legs (5A-C) in the central zone (11) are interconnected. Artificial flower according to claim 3, characterized in that the two limbs (5A-C) in their relative to the zone (11) proximal region have a remaining distance from each other, in particular if they are connected or integrally formed in the proximal region. 5. artificial flower according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the legs (5A-C) extend near the edges of the sheet (4) spanned by them, in particular, when the legs (5A-C) at their distal ends by a another elongated element, in particular by a wire-like and / or planar element (5), are interconnected. 6. Artificial flower according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the leaves (4) are at least at their edges pointwise or linearly connected to each other. 7. artificial flower according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the not touched by the wire-like and / or sheet-like elements (5) surface areas of the sheet-like material layers (3A, 3B) of a sheet (4) are firmly connected, in particular if this happens by gluing. 8. Artificial flower according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sheet-like material layers (3A, 3B) with each other and / or with the wire-like and / or sheet-like elements (5), in particular by bonding, are connected. 9. Artificial flower according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the holding element pair (6A, 6B) consists of a material having a comparatively large bending resistance, such as of a metal or plastic, in particular if it consists of identically shaped holding elements (6A, 6B). 10. Artificial flower according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the holding element pair (6A, 6B), of disc-shaped, in particular annular elements, consists. 11. Artificial flower according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sheets (4) stiffening wire-like and / or sheet-like elements (5), the holding element pair (6A, 6B) and the material layers (3A, 3B) at least in the central zone (11) of the leaves (4) form a sandwich construction, in particular when this sandwich construction is held together by the fact that the sheet material layers (3A, 3B) outside the holding pair element (6A, 6B) and in particular outside the central zone of the artificial flower interconnected are. 12. Artificial flower according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one clamping disc (12A, 12B), the leaves (4) clamped together. 13. Artificial flower according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the artificial flower comprises at least one foliage leaf (4 ^' ) with at least one stem-near leaf lug extension (7A, 7B). 14. Artificial flower according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the at least one leaf (4 ^' ) has at least one wire-like and / or planar element (5). 15. Artificial flower according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the least one leaf lug (7A, 7B) has a connector (10).