BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Introduction

This invention relates to an improvement for ribbons used to form bows such as flower forming bows, and in particular to decorative figure eight type bows made from woven fabrics. 2. Discussion of Related Art

Decorative bows may be manufactured by hand or machine. When a bow will not be used soon after it is formed, it has been convenient both for storage and shipment, to form a flat type assembly which can easily be changed into bow form when ready for use. Such flat type assemblies, generally known in the art as pull-string or pull activated bows, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,637,455, 4,329,382, 4,449,652, 4,476,168, 4,515,837, 4,585,676 and 4,684,552. The pull activated bows normally consist of two or more ribbons and at least one pull tape or drawstring which allows the assembly to be converted from essentially a flat form into a fully formed bow. The types of bows formed by this method have been described in the art as "floral", "flower forming", "pom-pom", "rosette", and "pom" bows.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,652 describes a machine for forming a prefabricated bow consisting of a pair of ribbons mated along their sides with a strap centrally disposed lengthwise between the pair of ribbons to form a drawstring. The pair of ribbons and strap are joined together at the head end and the ribbons are bonded together to form seams at preselected intervals along their length at either side of the strap. Bonds are

formed along the length of the ribbon at preselected intervals producing a plurality of seams with adjacent seams being at angles opposite to one another and at approximately 45 degrees. Figure 4 of the patent illustrates the layout of the ribbon assembly and shows the head of the bow trimmed to an angled cut and a device, such as a flower, secured by stapling.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,837 describes a "pom-pom" type bow forming ribbon with a drawstring connected loosely to the ribbon at points along its length by relatively stiff retaining members. Each retainer member is inclined at an angle different from that of the preceding retainer member. The drawstring is connected to the ribbon at one end by tying in a knot around the middle portion of the folded over ribbon members.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,676 describes a "pom-pom" type bow constructed from two ribbons, a drawstring and a plurality of bands which may be formed from strips of material which are fused into bands during production of the bow form. Figure 2 of the patent shows the bow in a flat configuration attached to a spool for continuous supply. As shown in the figure, the tip end of each bow is cut in a "V" shape, with the first ribbon, second ribbon and drawstring bonded together at this end.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,552 discloses a prefabricated "pom" bow of two opposed bow ribbons with tie ribbons disposed between, with first ends of the bow and ribbon bonded together, and with the bow ribbons bonded together at spaced bonded areas to define fold lines about which the bow ribbons will fold when a bow is formed by gathering the bonded areas adjacent the first ends of the ribbon. The fold lines include adjacent fold lines at right angles to the longitudinal edges of

the bow ribbons that define central loop forming portions on the bow ribbons. Figures 1 and 3 of the patent show a "V" shaped first end and the angles of the spaced apart adjacent fold lines. U.S. Patent No. 4,476,168 describes an "artificial

"flower forming" ribbon having an overlapped pair of strips and strings placed longitudinally in the middle of the strips. One end of the string is joined to those of the strips, and both strips are adhered to each other at a plurality of line areas spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the strips so as to permit relative movement of the strips and the strings. The line areas are inclined with respect to the width-wise direction of the strips, the inclination being alternately reverse. The tip end, as shown in the Figures of the patent, at which the string and strips are joined are either square or an inverted "V" (Figure 7) .

In general, bows which are used for decorative packaging and custom gift wrapping in, for example, department stores and specialty stores, are normally hand-tied, which is a time consuming and expensive process. These type bows are usually of the "floral", "flower forming", or "figure eight" type bows as opposed to "pom-pom" or "pom" type bows.

One attempt to produce a ready made bow of this type is described by Aoyama in U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,168. However, that bow, which generally produces a flower forming type bow, suffers from a misconfiguration or "buckling", when the finished bow is formed. The problem of buckling, particularly for the top set of loops, is believed to be due to the configuration of the tip end of the bow forming unit such as the tip end shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,168.

Of the above referenced patents, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,585,676 and 4,684,552 disclose a V-shaped tip end

with a corresponding notched V-shape lower end that is decorative and facilities formation of a continuous roll of ribbon. However, such designs do not eliminate the problem of buckling (i.e. separation between the top loops of the finished bow) , particularly in the first bow-forming loop. This problem is illustrated in Figure 1 which shows a finished bow without the improved design.

This, there is a continuing need for improved bow designs, particularly for bows used in decorative packaging and custom gift wrapping, which provide the desired figure eight or flower-forming type configuration without the aesthetically unpleasing buckling of the finished bow. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned aesthetic problems of previous bows by use of an offset angled tip end, which results in a bow without the problem of buckling in the top set of loops. A figure eight type bow resulting from the improved offset angled tip end design is illustrated in Figure 2.

As noted above, typical pull activated bows, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,168 are made with two bow forming members overlapped on each other, and at least one tie member disposed centrally between the two bow forming members. The tip ends of the bow forming members and tie member are aligned and firmly joined together, and the bow forming members are joined together at a plurality of spaced bonded areas adjacent both longitudinal edges of the bow forming members so as to permit relative movement of the bow forming members. This plurality of spaced apart bonded areas are generally inclined at angles with respect to the

widthwise direction of the bow forming members, such that adjacent bonded areas are inclined in alternate directions. Therefore, when the tie member is pulled, the bow forming members are drawn into a plurality of loops offset from one another according to the angle of the bonded area, thus forming a bow.

The improvement in the offset angled tip end, in accordance with the present invention, lies in the formation of offset angled cuts on adjacent longitudinal edges of the bow forming members at the tip end. In one embodiment, the inclined angle in the horizontal or latitudinal direction created by the offset cuts, when measured diagonally across the lower edge of each cut, is greater than zero. Preferably the angle is greater than zero and opposite in direction to the inclined angle formed by the first spaced apart bonded areas on the edges of the bow forming members. Most preferably, these two inclined angles are opposite and substantially equal. As described in more detail below, when such a configuration is formed into a bow, the tip end is pulled into the first loop forming sections such that the above referenced offset angled cuts of the tip and first bonded area connect without the undesirable buckling depicted in Figure 1. In the preferred flower forming and figure eight type bows of the present invention, the remainder of the plurality of spaced apart bonded areas along the length of the bow forming members also form angles that are inclined in alternately reverse direction to form the remaining loops of the bow forming members. In order to form the preferred figure eight bow of the present invention, three bonded areas are needed. More complex bows such as the flower-forming bows described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,168 may have additional bonded areas. As with other pull activated bows, the inner tie member is

narrower and may be longer in length than the ribbon members for use in attaching the thus formed bow to a package.

Two especially preferred embodiments are for offset angled cut tip ends for figure eight type bows where the width of the bow forming member is either greater than 50 mm or less than or equal to 50 mm. Preferred bows formed from bow forming members with widths greater than 50 mm generally result in a finished bow diameter (i.e. tip to tip measurement of the lowest formed bow loops) greater than about 200 mm. Bows formed from bow forming members having widths 50 mm or less, generally result in a bow diameter less than about 200 mm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more thoroughly described with reference to the following drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a figure eight type bow without the improved offset angled cuts of the tip end of the bow.

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the improved figure eight bow of the present invention. Figure 3 is a plan view of prefabricated figure eight type bow of the present invention. Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the improved offset angled tip end for an embodiment with a bow forming member width greater than 50 mm.

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of the tip section of the improved offset angled tip end for an embodiment with a bow forming member width 50 mm or less.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are enlarged plan views of the improved offset angled tip end for different embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is an improvement in pull activated bows. The improvement lies in the formation of an offset angled tip end where the bow forming members and tie members are joined. The offset angled tip end is formed by offset angled cuts on adjacent longitudinal edges of the bow forming members at the tip end. The offset angled cuts are offset by a distance which forms an inclined angle greater than 0°, when measured diagonally across the lower edge of each cut as against the width of the bow forming members. Preferably, the angle formed by said offset angled cuts is opposite in direction to the inclined angle formed by the first spaced apart bonded area on the edges of the bow forming members. . The remainder of the plurality of spaced apart bonded areas along the length of the bow forming members preferably form angles that are preferably inclined in alternatively opposite directions. The inclined angle created by the offset cuts, when measured diagonally across the lower edge of each cut and widthwise the bow forming members, is generally greater than zero. Preferably this angle is greater than zero and opposite in direction to the inclined angle formed by the first alternating spaced apart bonded areas on the edges of the bow forming members. Most preferably, the inclined angle formed by the offset angled cuts is substantially equal and opposite to the angle formed by the first spaced apart bonded area. When the inclined angles are opposite and substantially equal, it is inherent that the longitudinal distance between the lower edge of the offset cut and the first spaced apart bonded area on one side will be greater than the longitudinal distance between the lower edge of the offset cut and the first

spaced apart bonded area on the other side as can be seen from Figure 3.

The present invention will be explained in detail by referring to the attached drawings. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown the improved prefabricated bow of the present invention. The bow 1 of Figure 3 is a figure eight type bow used, for example, to replace the custom gift wrapping type bows normally requiring 100% hand preparation. As typical of pull activated bows, this prefabricated figure eight bow comprises two bow forming member 2 overlapping each other and having a width 3 and a length 4. Disposed between the two bow forming members are two tie members 5. Although preferably two tie members are employed to wrap around the package to which the finished bow.is attached, as the skilled artisan will appreciate, one or more than two may also be used. The tie members have a width 6 which is narrower than width 3 of the bow forming members and less than or equal to the distance between "the spaced apart bonded areas on the bow forming members, whereby the tie member is not constrained by the spaced apart bonded areas of the bow members. Additionally, to facilitate forming the bow and wrapping packages, the tie member has a length 7 which is longer than length 4 of the forming members.

The tip end 8 where the bow forming members and tie member are joined together shows the improved offset angled cut of the present invention. The tip end has a point of attachment 9 at which the bow forming members and tie members are joined. Attachment may be by methods known in the art and include fasteners, stitching, heat sealing and others. The area which forms the point of attachment 9 of the bow forming members and tie members depends upon the width and type of fabric used. For example, with bow forming members

having a width greater than 50 mm, three 3 mm metal fasteners, spaced slightly apart to extend across an area of 19 mm, or a stitch extending 19 mm would be used to provide stability and prevent the bow from being pulled inside out. For light weight woven fabric ribbon, such as acetate satin, the 19 mm bar stitch or three 3 mm metal fasteners spaced across 19 mm could be used for the point of attachment 9. The preferred distance from the tip end 8' to the point of attachment 9 is from about 6 to 7 mm, and preferably from 6.2 to ^• 6.6 m .

Below the improved offset angled tip end are a plurality of spaced apart bonded areas 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 placed alternatively along opposite edges of the bow forming members in a longitudinal direction.

These areas are bonded so that the bow forming members ^• are free to move in a longitudinal direction along and over the tie members to form the loops of the bow. Methods of forming the plurality of spaced apart bonded areas are the same as described above for the point of attachment of the bow forming members and tie members.

The plurality of spaced apart bonded areas are generally inclined at angles with respect to the widthwise direction of the bow forming members, and preferably are inclined such that adjacent bonded areas are inclined in opposite directions. As shown in this embodiment, in order to form a figure eight bow, three fold areas, which are not visible but for illustrative purposes are shown by broken lines 16, 17 and 18, are formed by the bonded areas. When the tie members are pulled and the bow forming members are pushed longitudinally in an upward direction, the bow forming members are drawn into a plurality of loops offset from one another according to the angle of the bonded areas, thus forming a figure eight bow. The lower end 19 of

the bow forming members may be angled for a more pleasing appearance.

The improvement in the present invention lies in the offset angled cuts 20 and 21 of the tip end which together form an inclined angle 23. The offset angled tip end is formed by a first offset angled cut 20 closest to the tip end on one longitudinal edge of the bow forming members, and a second offset angled cut 21 farther from the tip end on the opposite longitudinal edge of the bow forming members. In order to visualize the angles formed by the offset angled cuts and the alternating plurality of spaced apart bonded areas, broken lines have been used for illustrative purposes. For the offset angled cuts of the tip end, the angles 20' and 21' formed are shown by drawing a broken line along the longitudinal edges of each side of the bow forming members. Broken line 22 joins the lower edge of the offset angled cuts to define a first inclined angle 23 in relation to horizontal broken line 22'. The distance 27 at which the cuts are offset depends on a number of factors including the width and type of fabric used to fabricate the bow, and typically ranges between about 1 mm to about 25 mm. Similar angles are shown for the alternating plurality of spaced apart bonded areas using the same technique. For example, broken line 16 joins the first two alternating spaced apart bonded areas, 10 and 11, to define a second inclined angle 24 in relation to horizontal broken line 16'. Inclined angle 23 created by the offset angled cuts of the tip end is opposite in direction and substantially equal to inclined angle 24 created by the first two alternating spaced part bonded areas.

The specific angle formed by the offset angled cuts of the tip end, and the relative size of the inclined angle formed by these cuts compared to the oppositely

inclined angle formed by the first spaced apart bonded area depends on the width and type of fabric used to fabricate the figure eight bow of the present invention and other factors. Generally, inclined angle 23 formed by the offset angled cuts is greater than zero. As noted above, inclined angle 24 is generally opposite in direction to inclined angle 23 and greater than or equal to zero. Preferably both inclined angles are substantially equal. In general, both inclined angles 23 and 24 are less than or equal to about 45°, more preferably less than or equal to about 30° and most preferably, less than or equal to about 20°, especially between 5° and 15°. When inclined angle 23 and inclined angle 24 are opposite and equal, it is inherent that the longitudinal distance between the lower edge of the offset cut and first spaced apart bonded area on one side 25 will be greater than the longitudinal distance between the lower edge of the offset cut and first spaced apart bonded area on the other side 26.

In one preferred embodiment, the offset angled tip end is described for bow forming members having a width greater than 50 mm. Referring to Figure 4, the angled tip end is formed by a first offset angled cut 20a closest to the tip end on one longitudinal edge of the bow forming members, and a second offset angled cut 21a farther from the tip end on the opposite longitudinal edge of the bow forming members. For this embodiment, the distance 27a separating the lower edge of each cut is between about 5 mm to about 15 mm. Broken line 22a joins the lower edge of the offset angled cuts to define a first inclined angle 23a in relation to horizontal broken line 22a'. Similarly, broken line 16a joins the first two alternating spaced apart bonded areas, 10a and 11a, to define a second inclined angle

24a in relation to horizontal broken line 16'a. Generally, the inclined angles 23a and 24a have the same requirements as discussed above.

The angled tip end is formed by a first offset angled cut 20a closest to the tip end on one longitudinal edge of the bow forming members which forms an angle 20'a which is greater than or equal to angle 21'a formed by a second offset angled cut 21a farther from the tip end on the opposite longitudinal edge of the bow forming members. The first offset angle 20'a is preferably between about 20° to 40°, and more preferably between about 25° to 35°. Since the second offset angle 21'a is equal to or less than the first offset angle, when 20'a is between about 20° to 40°, 21'a is preferably less than or equal to about 20° to 40°, preferably 25° to 35°. When 20'a is about 25° to 35°, 21'a is preferably less than or equal to about 25° to 35°, preferably about 15° to 25°. For bow forming members having widths greater than 50mm, the point of attachment 9a should have a width of about 10 to 14 mm in order to stabilize the formed bow. As discussed above, conventional methods of attaching the bow forming members and tie members may be used such as three 3.2 mm fasteners or one 12.7 mm bar stitch. The diameter of the bow thus formed is greater than about 200 mm.

In another preferred embodiment, the offset angled tip end for bow forming members having a width of 50 mm or less is shown in Figure 5. The angled tip end is formed by a first offset angled cut 20b closest to the tip end on one longitudinal edge of the bow forming members, and a second offset angled cut 21b farther from the tip end on the opposite longitudinal edge of the bow forming members. For this embodiment, the

distance 27b separating the lower edge of each cut is between about 5 mm to about 15 mm. Broken line 22b joins the lower edge of the offset angled cuts to define a first inclined angle 23b in relation to horizontal broken line 16'b. Similarly, broken line

16b joins the first two alternating spaced apart bonded areas, 10b and lib, to define a second inclined angle 24b in relation to horizontal broken line 16'b. Generally, the inclined angles 23b and 24b have the ^• same requirements as discussed above.

The angled tip end is formed by a first offset angled cut 21b farthest from the tip end on one longitudinal edge of the bow forming members forms angle 21'b which is greater than or equal to angle 20'b formed by a second offset angled cut 20b closest to the tip end on the opposite longitudinal edge of the bow forming members. The first offset angle 21'b is preferably between 5° to 45°, preferably between about 15° to 35°. Since the second offset angle 20'b is equal to or less than the first offset angle, when 21'b is between about 5° to 45°, 20'b is preferably less than or equal to about 5° to 45°, preferably about 2° to 30°. When 21'b is about 15° to 35°, 20'b is preferably less than or equal to about 15° to 35°, preferably about 10° to

25°. For bow forming members having widths of 50 mm or less, the point of attachment 9b may be with a single fastener having a width about 3.0 to 3.4 mm or a single stitch having the same width. The diameter of the bow thus formed is less than or equal to about 200 mm.

One especially preferred embodiment of the present invention is a pull activated figure eight type bow comprising two bow forming members overlapping each other and disposed between the two bow forming members

are two tie members. The tip end where the bow forming members and tie members are joined has the improved offset angled cut of the present invention. In addition, there are three spaced apart bonded areas alone each opposite longitudinal edges of the bow forming members. These plurality of spaced apart bonded areas are generally inclined at angles with respect to the widthwise direction of the bow forming members, and preferably are inclined such that adjacent bonded areas are inclined in opposite directions. For this embodiment, the offset angled cuts forming the tip end form a first inclined angle which is greater than zero but less than or equal to about 45°. The first plurality of spaced apart bonded areas forms a second inclined angle which is greater than or equal to 0° but less than or equal to about 45°. It is preferred that the first and second inclined angles be substantially equal and opposite in direction. Preferably, both inclined angles are less than or equal to about 45°, more preferably less than or equal to about 30°, and most preferably between about 5° to 15°.

In one embodiment of the figure eight type bow, when the first and second inclined angles are between about 5° to 25°, the third and fourth inclined angles formed by the second and third spaced apart bonded areas are between about 20° to 45° and between about 15° to 40°, respectively.

EXAMPLES The following examples show embodiments of the present invention using the improved offset angled tip end. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes can be made in the embodiments described below without departing from the scope of the present invention. The embodiments show how to offset

angled tip end is formed and are not to be taken as limitations to the practice of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Figure 6 shows the improved offset angled tip end for bow forming members having a width of 36.5 mm. The fabric used to fabricate the bow is preferably a woven edge grosgrain printed bengaline. The angled tip end is formed by a first offset angled cut 20c closest to the tip end on one longitudinal edge of the bow forming members forming angle 20'c of 20°, and a second offset angled cut 21c farther from the tip end on the opposite longitudinal edge of the bow forming members forming angle 21'c of 20°. For this embodiment, the distance 27c separating the lower edge of each cut is 6.4 mm. Broken line 22c joins the lower edge of the offset angled cuts to define a first inclined angle 23c in relation to horizontal broken line 22 'c. Similarly, broken line 16c joins the first two alternating spaced apart bonded areas, 10c and lie, to define a second inclined angle 24c in relation to horizontal broken line 16'c. Inclined angles 23c and 24c are both 10° and opposite in direction. The point of attachment 9c is a single fastener having a width of 3.2 mm and is located 6.4 mm from the tip end 8'c. The diameter of the bow thus formed is about 150 mm.

EXAMPLE 2 Figure 7 shows the improved offset angled tip end for bow forming members having a width of 36.5 mm. The fabric used to fabricate the bow is preferably amoire bengaline higher quality gradations satin. The angled tip end is formed by a first offset angled cut 2Id closest to the tip end on one longitudinal edge of the bow forming members forming angle 20'd of 15°, and a second offset angled cut 2Id farther from the tip end on the opposite longitudinal edge of the bow forming

members forming angle 21'd of 15°. For this embodiment, the distance 27d separating the lower edge of each cut is 7.9 mm. Broken line 22 joins the lower edge of the offset angled cuts to define a first inclined angle 23d in relation to horizontal broken line 22'd. Similarly, broken line 16d joins the first two alternating spaced apart bonded areas, lOd and lid, to define a second inclined angle 24d ^' in relation to horizontal broken line 16'd. Inclined angles 23d and 24d are both 10° and opposite in direction.. The point of attachment 9d is a single fastener having a width of 3.2 mm and is located 6.4 mm from the tip end 8'd. The diameter of the bow thus formed is about 150 mm. EXAMPLE 3

Figure 8 shows the improved offset angled tip end for bow forming members having a width of 36.5 mm. This particular design will work for all fabrics and illustrates a different type fastener. The angled tip end is formed by a first offset angled cut 20e closest to the tip on one longitudinal edge of the bow forming members forming angle 20'e of 10°, and a second offset angled cut 21e farther from the tip end on the opposite longitudinal edge of the bow forming members forming 21'e of 30°. For this embodiment, the distance 27e separating the lower edge of each cut is 9.5 mm. Broken line 22e joins the lower edge of the the offset angled cuts to define a first inclined angle 23e in relation to horizontal broken line 22'e. Similarly, broken line 16e joins the first two alternating spaced apart bonded areas, lOe and lie, to define a second inclined angle 24e in relation to horizontal broken line 16'e. Inclined angles 23e and 24e are both 10° and opposite in direction. The point of attachment 9e is a 12.7 x 1.9 mm bar stitch

located 6.4 mm from the tip end 8'e. The diameter of the bow thus formed is about 150mm.

EXAMPLE 4 A pull activated figure eight type bow was formed using approximately 230 cm of woven acetate satin fabric in two widths. The bow forming members had widths of 36 mm and lengths of approximately 48 cm. The two tie members had widths of 22 cm and lengths of approximately 63 cm. The four pieces were fastened at the tip end, approximately 6.4 mm from the tip end, using a 12.7 mm bar stitch. Offset angled cuts were made to form the improved offset angled tip of the present invention according to the. guidelines set forth above for bow forming members having widths of 50 mm or less. The first inclined angle created by the offset angled cuts was 10°. A plurality of spaced apart bonded areas were formed along each side of the longitudinal length of the bow forming members, using a 3 mm button stitch. The second inclined angle formed by the first spaced apart bonded areas was opposite in direction and equal to the first inclined angle. The third and fourth inclined angles were 35° and 32°, respectively.