Self-wrapping decorative article and method

Abstract

A self-wrapping decorative article and method for manufacturing is provided. Self-wrapping decorative article includes an elongate generally flat wrapping member having ends capable of coming together and capable of remaining extended is disposed between a first retroreflective decoratively shaped layer and a second layer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A self-wrapping decorative article comprising: 
 at least one an elongate generally flat wrapping member having ends and elongate side edges and surfaces extending between the ends, the flat wrapping member being formed of a type such that the ends are capable of coming together and remaining extended;    a first decoratively shaped retroreflective layer located over one surface of said one elongate wrapping member, said first decoratively shaped layer having a lateral dimension that is substantially greater than the lateral dimension of said wrapping member, so that said first decoratively shaped layer extends with a decoratively shaped portion past at least one of said edges;    a second layer overlying another surface of said wrapping member opposite to said one surface; and    said first and second layers being affixed to each other so as to encase said elongate wrapping member and form a decoratively shaped retroreflective article capable of self wrapping around an object.    
     
     
         2 . The self-wrapping article defined in    claim 1    wherein said second layer has a like shape and size as said first layer.  
     
     
         3 . The self-wrapping article defined in    claim 1    wherein said layers laterally extend past both elongate side edges of said one wrapping member at a substantial distance with a decoratively shaped portion.  
     
     
         4 . The self-wrapping article defined in    claim 1    wherein the first retroreflective layer is made from a glass bead vinyl reflective material.  
     
     
         5 . The self-wrapping article defined in    claim 4    wherein the first retroreflective layer has a surface provided with an array of slits, the self-wrapping article further having a cover atop the surface of the first retroreflective layer, so that the space between the cover layer and the spring element is divided into top and bottom chambers, wherein the air trapped in the top chamber is penetrated through the array of slits into the bottom chamber upon wrapping the article around a bearing surface.  
     
     
         6 . The self-wrapping article defined in    claim 1    wherein the first retroreflective layer is made from a prismatic vinyl.  
     
     
         7 . The self-wrapping article defined in    claim 6   , further comprising a protective layer interposed between the prismatic vinyl and the flat wrapping member and forming top and bottom chambers between the prismatic and layer and sprig element, the protective layer having a surface which is provided with an array of slits to facilitate air-flow communication between the top and bottom chambers.  
     
     
         8 . The self-wrapping article defined in    claim 1   , further comprising another flat self-wrapping member parallel to the flat member so that said one and another elongate members each wrap in the same direction relative to one another, said parallel wrapping members having inner elongate side edges adjacent to one other and having outer most elongate side edges opposite the inner edges; 
 said first decoratively shaped layer having a lateral dimension that is substantially greater than the cumulative lateral dimension of said wrapping members between its elongate side edges so that said layer extends from the outer most elongate side edges of said elongate wrapping members with a decoratively shaped portion extending past the outer most edges.    
     
     
         9 . A self-wrapping article comprising: 
 an elongate generally flat wrapping member having opposite ends and elongate edges and surfaces extending between the ends, the flat wrapping member being formed of a type such that the ends are capable of coming together and remaining extended; and    top and bottom decoratively shaped layers affixed to one another along an endless sealing region to form a space receiving the wrapping member, at least one of the decoratively shaped layers being retroreflective.    
     
     
         10 . The self-wrapping article defined in    claim 9    wherein the retroreflective layer is made from glass beads embedded in a vinyl layer and has a surface provided with an array of slits, the self-wrapping article further comprising a cover vinyl layer atop the surface of the retroreflective layer.  
     
     
         11 . The self-wrapping article defined in    claim 9    wherein the retroreflective layer is made from a prismatic reflective vinyl layer, the self-wrapping article further comprising an intermediate protective layer between the retroreflective layer and the flat wrapping member, said protective layers having an arrangement of slits which are formed on a surface facing the retroreflective layer to facilitated air flow between a top chamber formed between the protective and cover layers and a bottom chamber formed between the protective layer and the spring element.  
     
     
         12 . A process for producing self-wrapping decorative articles comprising the steps of: 
 providing an elongate generally flat wrapping member having ends, elongate side edges and surfaces and being formed of a type such that the ends are capable of coming together and remaining extended;    positioning the elongate wrapping member in its extended position over one surface of a flat decoratively-shaped layer;    providing a first decoratively shaped layer made from a retroreflective material and a second decoratively shaped layer;    remotely holding the elongate wrapping member in position between the first and second decoratively shaped layers; and    fixing the first and second layers together thereby encasing the elongate wrapping member therebetween.    
     
     
         13 . The process defined in    claim 12    further comprising the steps of providing a protective layer fixed to the first and second layers and interposed between the first layer made from a prismatic reflective vinyl layer and the flat wrapping member, and providing a surface of the protective layer with an arrangement of slits.  
     
     
         14 . The process defined in    claim 12    further comprising the steps of providing a cover layer made from vinyl atop the retroreflective layer embedded with glass beads, and forming an array of slits on a surface of the retroreflective layer embedded with glass beads to facilitate air flow from a top chamber between the retroreflective and cover layer to a bottom chamber between the retroreflective layer and the spring element as the article is being wrapped around a bearing surface.