BACKGROUND When gifts are exchanged between family members, friends, and co-workers, it is common to place a bow upon the wrapped gift as an additional decoration. Such bows are typically three dimensional in nature, and usually comprise a collection of radially- hemispherically extending loops creatively formed from a single length of a strip of ribbon.

It is a well known phenomenon for such bows to become crushed or smashed as a result of stacking and other handling of gifts prior to distribution, as can occur during the holiday season. Thus, a need exists for a new type of decoration to be applied to wrapped gifts that is attractive, simple to apply, inexpensive, and cannot become damaged through smashing or crushing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A decorative article of commerce is disclosed which comprises a tag including at least a web defining first major surface and a second major surface, with a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive coated onto the second major surface. Indicia is imprinted upon the first major surface of the web wherein the indicia is a two dimensional representation of a three dimensional bow formed from decorative ribbon. A release liner is affixed to the pressure sensitive adhesive to prevent the second major surface of the web from adhering to articles prior to desired application of the tag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the decorative tag.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the decorative tag.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the decorative tag in a roll form.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the decorative tag in a roll form.

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the decorative tag on a flat sheet.

Fig. 6 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the decorative tag on a flat sheet.

Fig. 7 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the decorative tag prior to die cutting.

Fig. 8 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the decorative tag following die cutting through all layers except the release liner.

Fig. 9 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the decorative tag following die cutting through all layers.

Fig. 10 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the decorative tag following die cutting through all layers followed by removal of the release liner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING A BEST MODE Nomenclature 10 Decorative Tag 12 Bow Indicia

14 Loop 16 Highlight 100 Decorative Tag 112 Indicia 118 Message plate 120"To"Characters 122"From"Characters 200 Roll 300 Roll 400 Sheet 500 Sheet 600 Web 602 First Major Surface 604 Second Major Surface 620 Pressure Sensitive Adhesive 630 Release liner 640 Die Cut Construction As shown in Fig. 1, a first embodiment of the decorative tag 10 comprises printed indicia 12 comprising a two dimensional representation of a three dimensional bow (not shown) onto a web 600. A typical three dimensional bow (not shown) as would be used to decorate a holiday, birthday, wedding or other gift, is typically comprised of a series of loops of decorative ribbon that extend substantially radially-hemispherically from a central origin in a symmetrical manner. The indicia 12,112 of the Present Claimed Invention comprises a two dimensional representation of a series of three dimensional loops 14. The loops 14 are printed having representations of highlights 16 at places where shiny decorative ribbon (not shown) would reflect a large amount of light if subjected to bright lights (not shown). Such three dimensional bows can also be of a simpler nature, as formed using only one, two or three loops of ribbon (not shown). Further, bows need not be in a radial-hemispheric form, but can be in any form imagined by the person creating the bow. While a three dimensional bow is shown in the drawings, other similar indicia, such as flowers could also be used. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia 12,112 is printed in a red color. Other colors, however,

such as but not limited to green, yellow, blue, purple, orange or multicolor could also be used, and, thus, are contemplated by and within the scope of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, indicia 12,112 occupying an area of between approximately 4 and 13 square inches is used.

All embodiments to be discussed and shown in Figs. 1-10 comprise a web 600 as shown in Figs. 7-10, defining a first major surface 602 and a second major surface 604. The web 600 can be made from any number of materials, including but not limited to paper or other fiber based material, and vinyl polymeric materials, the only requirement being that the material should be sturdy enough to withstand the normal stresses imposed by use. The web 600 material also should withstand the rigors of manufacturing as subjected during the printing process, as well as being capable of tolerating the chemical and heat stresses imposed by the application of pressure sensitive adhesive 620. Finally, the web 600 material should be capable of being printed upon (i. e., it should be able to receive ink during printing, and retain it upon curing or drying thereafter).

Indicia 12 comprising a two dimensional representation of a three dimensional bow is printed on at least a portion of the first major surface 602 of the web 600. As shown in Figs 7-9, the second major surface 604 of the web 600 is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive 620. The pressure sensitive adhesive 620 includes a wide variety of commercially available pressure sensitive adhesives. Such adhesives include solution adhesives, aqueous adhesives, and polyacrylates, but are not limited to these adhesives as others will work equally well. A release liner 630 is affixed to the pressure sensitive adhesive 620 to protect and preserve the tacky nature of the pressure adhesive 620 until such time as application of the decorative tag 10,100 is desired. The release liner 630 may optionally be split (not shown) to assist in removal. The release liner 630 is preferably coated paper, but any material able to withstand the rigors of printing, the chemical nature of the pressure sensitive adhesive 620 and use will work.

The indicia can be either an artist's rendering (not shown) of a bow, or a lithographed (or other method of printing) photographic reproduction of a bow 12 or other indicia such as flowers. In a second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, a message plate 118 can be attached to the bow indicia 112. As shown in Fig. 2, the message plate 118 can be imprinted with characters indicating"To"120 and"From"122. These characters 120,122 are intended to

be illustrative only and not limiting. In reality, an infinite variety of messages could be used as characters, in all known languages. In a preferred embodiment, the message plate 118 and bow indicia 12 are printed onto an integral (i. e., unitary) web 600.

Fig. 3 shows a plurality of decorative tags 10 printed onto a web 600 that is in the form of an elongated strip (i. e., the length is much greater than the width) which for purposes of ease of use and storage is rolled into a roll 200. Fig. 4 shows a similar roll 300 substituting the alternative decorative tag 100 comprising indicia 112 having a two dimensional representation of a three dimensional bow with an attached message plate 118. r Fig. 5 shows a plurality of decorative tags 10 printed onto a flat sheet 400. Similarly, Fig. 6 shows a plurality of another embodiment of decorative tags 100 printed onto a flat sheet 500.

Fig. 7 shows a cross section of the decorative tag 10,100 with coated pressure sensitive adhesive 620 and attached release liner 630 following printing and prior to being die cut. Fig. 8 shows a cross section of the decorative tag 10,100 with coated pressure sensitive adhesive 620 and attached release liner 630 following printing and following die cutting along the outer perimeter of the indicia 12,112, and message plate 118 if applicable. In the particular embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the die cut 640 extends through the web 600 but does not continue through the release liner 630. Die cutting in this manner is used with the embodiments shown in Figs. 3-6 where a plurality of decorative tags 10,100 are printed onto a unitary web 600. Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment wherein the die cut 640 is continued through all layers 12,600,620, including the release liner 630. Through die cutting results in a single decorative tag 10,100, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9.

Use Using the decorative tag 10,100 requires first removing the release liner 630 from the tag 10,100. As discussed above, removal of the release liner 630 can be facilitated by the presence of a split (not shown) in the release liner 630. A split release liner 630 is particularly appropriate when used with the embodiments of the decorative tag 10,100 where the die cutting continues through all layers including the release liner 630 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9. The tag is partially peeled back to separate the portions of the release liner 630

exposing an edge (not shown) of the release liner 630. Following exposure of the release liner 630 edge (not shown), the release liner 630 is peeled away to expose the pressure sensitive adhesive 620. The remaining portion (not shown) of the release liner 630 is then removed in the same manner, readying the decorative tag 10,100 for use.

Removing the release liner 630 using the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 3-6 and 8 requires grasping the roll 200,300 or sheet 400,500 and slightly bending the web 600 away from the decorative tag 10,100 to partially peel away the release liner 630 from the decorative tag 10,100. Following partial peeling away of the release liner 630 the second major surface 604, which is coated with pressure sensitive adhesive 620, is exposed. The exposed second major surface 604 is grasped, and peeled away from the release liner 630, readying the decorative tag 10,100 for use.

When the decorative tag 10,100 is readied for use (i. e., the release liner is completely peeled away), the second major surface 604 is applied to the surface of a package (not shown), adhering thereto and giving the appearance of a decorative bow.