Method for providing a decorative cover formed of holographic material

Abstract

Processes for producing a holographic material involve producing the holographic image on a polished, substantially smooth surface and then transferring the holographic image to a substrate. A metallic coating is applied to a smooth surface of a printing element to provide a coated surface, the coated surface is embossed to provide the holographic image, and the holographic image is transferred to a substrate via a bonding material, thereby producing the holographic material. The holographic material may be used to provide a decorative cover for an object or item, such as a floral grouping or a potted plant.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holographic material produced by a process for applying a holographic image to a substrate, the process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a printing element having a polished surface;  
 applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;  
 embossing the coated surface to provide an embossed coated surface;  
 applying a metallic constituent or component to the embossed coated surface to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;  
 applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image;  
 disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material; and  
 removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element;  
   providing a floral grouping; and    wrapping the holographic material about the floral grouping to provide the decorative cover.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical drum, a roller, a flat plate and a platen press.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the polished surface of the printing element is resilient or non-resilient.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the coating is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foils lacquer and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the substrate has a substantially smooth surface.  
     
     
         9 . A method for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holographic material produced by a process for applying a holographic image to a substrate, the process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a printing element having a polished, resilient surface;  
 applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished, resilient surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;  
 embossing the coated surface to provide an embossed coated surface;  
 applying a metallic constituent or component to the embossed coated surface to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished, resilient surface of the printing element;  
 applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image;  
 disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material; and  
 removing the holographic material from the polished, resilient surface of the printing element;  
   providing a floral grouping; and    wrapping the holographic material about the floral grouping to provide the decorative cover.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical drum, a roller, a flat plate and a platen press.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the coating is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, lacquer and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the substrate has a substantially smooth surface.  
     
     
         16 . A method for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holographic material produced by a process for applying a holographic image to a substrate, the process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a printing element having a polished, non-resilient surface;  
 applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished, non-resilient surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;  
 embossing the coated surface to provide an embossed coated surface;  
 applying a metallic constituent or component to the embossed coated surface to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished, non-resilient surface of the printing element;  
 applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image;  
 disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material; and  
 removing the holographic material from the polished, non-resilient surface of the printing element;  
   providing a floral grouping; and    wrapping the holographic material about the floral grouping to provide the decorative cover.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical drum, a roller, a flat plate and a platen press.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the coating is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, lacquer and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein in the step of providing a holographic material, the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the substrate has a substantially smooth surface.