US20020192402A1

US20020192402A1 - Decorative pine needles

Info

Publication number: US20020192402A1
Application number: US10/013,621
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Parker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-05-29
Filing date: 2001-12-11
Publication date: 2002-12-19

Abstract

The present invention proposes a decorative pine needle. It is characterized in that, a whole pine needle will consist of a cluster of elongated leaves that can be detached at the base, and each leaf can be used separately. Said whole pine needle will be primarily used for indoor decoration projects. Said detached leaves are used primarily in decorating underneath shrubs, flowers, around trees, in artistic landscaping designs, and used generally for mass production.

Description

BACKGROUND—CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Serial # 60/293,841 filed May 29, 2001.[0001]

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is predominantly used in decorating landscapes.

BACKGROUND—REFERENCES CITED



4,282,653	Aug., 1981	Comer et al.
4,497,402	Feb., 1985	Karos
5,814,176	Sept. 29, 1998	Proulx
5,941,051	Aug. 24, 1999	Fogle
6,037,021	Mar. 14, 2000	Koo
6,093,459	July 25, 2000	Puleo

BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

All the above references cited, have no similarities to this invention.

This invention is related to selling and peddling organic pine needles.

Peddlers, Landscaping companies and large discount stores in the southern states of the United States, supply consumers with organic pine needles for beautification purposes.

Originally, small peddler companies sold organic pine needles to consumers through a door to door method only. Then they began to sell the product to landscapers, nurseries, convenient stores and to large discount stores.

The pine needle business is growing fast. In the year 1989 there were about 9 to 15 small companies in my home town. In the year 2000, the small companies have more than doubled, and there are several large companies now also. Companies exist now in states like Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

This invention is made in various length, colors and sizes, to accommodate diverse decoration projects, and consumer desires.

Artificial pine needles will generally substitute the organic long leaf pine needles in decorating landscapes. Long leaf pine needles are primarily grown in the southern states of the United States, therefore there is a limited resource to be gathered from. Artificial pine needles will provide a greater resource.

Consumers desire long leaf pine needles because they last longer and posess a more lush color. All artificial pine needles will posess both of these qualities. Various lengths are used to accommodate the consumer's desire for more than one length, and to be consistent with all natural appearances.

Diverse sizes are used to give stability to the various lengths, and to facilitate the ability of manufacturing this invention.

A very important attribute of the artificial pine needle is its colors. Business owners want to attract the eyes of passing potential customers, and home owners want to attract the eyes of passing neighbors. Our colors of orange, red, white, traditional brown, florescent, transparency and etc., will fulfill their objectives.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1. [0014]
1. This view is a whole pine needle which consist of a cluster of three elongated leaves pressed together. [0015]
2. Each whole pine needle has a base cap to bind the leaves together. Individual leaves will generally not have a base cap. [0016]
3. Arched sides form a circular shape throughout most of a whole pine needle when they are pressed together. [0017]
5. Whole needles are categorized in four different lengths: small, medium, long and extra long. They range from 2″ to 18″ inches long. [0018]
FIG. 2. [0019]
4. Figure two shows a fragmented leaf that will be primarily shaped in the form of a V, or a quasi-triangular shape. [0020]
5. Each leaf will be it thickest at the base and will get narrower until it becomes pointed on the opposite end. [0021]
FIG. 3. [0022]
3. Figure three shows a fragmented leaf of the opposite side. This side of a leaf will be made primarily in an arch shape, or a semicircular shape, throughout most of each leaf. [0023]

Reference Numerals in Drawings

[0024] 1. Whole Pine Needle.
[0025] 2. Base Cap.
[0026] 3. Arch shape or Semicircular shape side of leaf.
[0027] 4. V-shape or Quasi-triangular shape side of leaf.
[0028] 5. Arrow points in the direction of base end to pointed end, throughout the elongated leaves.

DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1-3

A typical embodiment of the Whole Plastic Pine Needle of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (side view). The Needles are pressed together to reveal the overall roundness of the outer surface when compressed together. The Needles can consist of any material that can be repeatedly bent without fracturing, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, nylon, rubber, leather, various impregnated or laminated fibrous materials, etc. [0029]
At one end of the Whole Pine Needle is a base cap which binds the leaves together. The base cap can consist of any material that can bind the leaves together securely, but yet removable, such as coated wire, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, nylon, rubber, leather, various impregnated or laminated fibrous materials. etc. [0030]
FIG. 2 (fragmented view) A quasi-triangular shaped ridge is formed on one side of the elongated needle, throughout most of the length. The said lengths vary from 2 inches to 18 inches long, to coincide with the various lengths of organic pine needles, and to be consistent with their natural appearances. [0031]
FIG. 3 (fragmented view) The opposite side of the elongated needle show an arch shaped side. The thickness varies throughout the needle, but the thickness of the base is typically {fraction (1/16)} of an inch to {fraction (1/ 2)} inch to give the proper ratio from base to the pointed end. [0032]
The simple structure of this invention is so that production cost will be at its lowest. [0033]

Operation of Invention

Whole pine needles are elongated leaves bound together at the base cap. They are primarily used for outdoor and indoor decoration projects, other than landscaping. Whole pine needles can be detached by removing the base cap and pulling the leaves a part, or by simply cutting them off at the base cap rim with a pair of scissors. [0034]
When decorating close viewed projects like wreaths or flower arrangements, the whole pine needle should be used to give a more realistic appearance. [0035]
Detached leaves are elongated leaves that generally do not have a base cap. These leaves are used primarily in decorating underneath shrubs, flowers, around trees, in artistic landscaping designs, and generally used for mass production. [0036]
Mulch can be placed underneath the decorative pine needles by placing a plastic covering between the two. This will help keep the artificial pine needles separated from any other substances used as mulch. [0037]

Summary, Ramifications, and Scope

Thus my above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the decorative pine needles can have other shapes, such as circular, oval, trapezoidal, triangular, etc. [0038]
Thus the reader will see that plastic pine needles will provide a durable, heavyweight and economical product, it has several more advantages in that: [0039]
1. This product crosses all gender, race, religion and custom lines![0040]
2. Durability of artificial pine needles will save consumers money![0041]
3. Its neat appearance will add value to real property![0042]
4. No age restrictions to purchase the product![0043]
5. They will help to decrease the amount of pine needle truck traffic through cities and neighborhoods! Less gas! Less fumes! Less highway maintenance![0044]
6. Less pine needle bales found on the highways![0045]
7. Advantages of various colors: [0046]
For “Thanksgiving Holiday Seasons”, they can decorate with orange and brown colored pine needles. Which are absolutely great for this time of the year![0047]
For “Christmas Holiday Seasons”, they can decorate with the snow white color. It is awesome, and the beautiful red color is too![0048]
The traditional brown color can be used throughout the year![0049]
For “Weddings, Receptions, House Gatherings, Family Reunions, Parties and other events”, they can decorate with all the prior mentioned colors. Nevertheless, the florescent colors and the Clear as glass needles are, Whoa![0050]

Claims

I claim:

1. A decoration for landscapes and other indoor and outdoor projects, comprising a whole pine needle that consist of a cluster of elongated leaves that are joined together at the base, wherein said elongated leaves can be detached, and the leaves are predetermined in lengths and shapes.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein said elongated leaves are mainly developed with plastic.

3. The closure of claim 1 wherein said joined together at the base, by a base cap.

4. The closure of claim 1 wherein said predetermined, lengths are approximately two inches to eighteen inches long, shapes are generally arched on one side and triangular on the opposite.