GB2287225A

GB2287225A - Decoratable substrate,.e.g a garment or wallpaper

Info

Publication number: GB2287225A
Application number: GB9404173A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Helene Elisabeth Hart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-03-04
Filing date: 1994-03-04
Publication date: 1995-09-13
Also published as: GB9404173D0

Abstract

The substrate 11, for example a pair of trousers, has thereon a multiplicity of discrete areas 16 which are constructed to provide an adhesive effect. The discrete areas 16 may comprise a coating of adhesive covered by a release layer, or a patch for hook-and-loop connector. Decorative elements 17 are applied to the patches 16 as desired to provide a decorative effect. The substrate may, e.g., be the fabric of cushions or furniture covering of curtains or a duvet cover, or of a garment such as a shirt, jacket or trousers or it may be a wallpaper. <IMAGE>

Description

DECORATABLE SUBSTRATE The present invention relates to a decoratable substrate, in particular to a decoratable fabric either in unfinished or finished form eg. as a garment, or to a decoratable wallpaper.

It is known to provide decorated substrates. For example, decorated fabrics and wallpapers are well known as are garments and household items such as curtains and furniture or cushion covers made from the former. In addition, it is known to provide decoratable substrates such as lining wallpaper to which paint may later be applied and garments to which decorative items are applied. For example, garments such as T-shirts may be printed after they are made and the decorative effect may be varied according to the printing element or elements used.

With known decorated or decoratable substrates as outlined above the eventual decoration is essentially permanent.

While the colour of a painted wallpaper can be changed by overpainting, nevertheless that is a major operation requiring a great deal of effort. A new decorative effect cannot be achieved in any manner which approaches an instantaneous or essentially instantaneous change.

Furthermore, similar considerations apply to known fabrics whether in finished or unfinished form.

In accordance with the present invention I have now found surprisingly that a new decoratable substrate can be produced by providing a substrate having defined on at least one surface thereof a multiplicity of discrete areas which are constructed and/or arranged to provide an adhesive effect and to which decorative elements can be adhered at will in any desired pattern.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a decoratable substrate which comprises a substrate having defined on at least one surface thereof a multiplicity of discrete areas which are constructed and/or arranged to provide an adhesive effect and to which decorative elements can be adhered at will in any desired pattern.

In the invention the decoratable substrate may comprise any material or product which presents a visible and decoratable surface. Preferably, however, the decoratable substrate may comprise any sheet material, preferably a flexible sheet material, and more preferably a woven or non-woven fabric, paper or cardboard. Also, the substrate may be in finished form which in the case of a fabric may be a garment or an item of household linen. Typical examples of items of household linen are a cushion or furniture covering, curtains or bed linen eg. a duvet cover.

Similarly, a paper or cardboard substrate may be in finished form such as in the form of wallpaper.

In a substrate according to the invention the discrete areas may comprise a coating of contact adhesive covered by a release layer. Preferably, however, the discrete areas

comprise an adhesive fabric such as velcroteg. as velcro patches.

Thus, for example, discrete patches of velcro may be stitched or otherwise adhered to the desired substrate.

Those then provide sticky areas to which various decorative elements may be stuck at will and varied at will.

The invention also includes, in combination, a substrate according to the invention and a multiplicity of decorative elements. In such a combination according to the invention the decorative elements may comprise any material which can be adhered to the adhesive areas. Typically, the elements comprise a fabric material and may comprise: Lace Silk

Lycraletc.

of various colours, patterns etc.

In addition, the decorative elements may comprise other discrete items such as: Silk or textile flowers A festive decoration such as bells A pictorial representation such as a game eg. football motif, or a representation of a celebrity Mirrors or other reflectors eg. for disco dancing Holograms Eyes Letters or other decalcomania In addition to the above, the invention includes a pack comprising at least one substrate according to the invention and a multiplicity of separate decorative elements.

As will be appreciated the invention may be applied to a wide variety of substrates, but may be especially useful with regard to finished garments such as Shirts Jackets Trousers eg. jeans Use of the invention will mean that only one garment needs to be purchased and a multiplicity of garments can be produced therefrom by varying the decoration at will. All that need be done is the removal of one set of decorative elements and their replacement by another different set.

The decoratable substrate of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in outline a trouser garment in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows in outline another trouser garment in accordance with the invention; and Figure 3 shows in outline yet another trouser garment in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the decoratable substrate 11 shown comprises a trouser garment such as a pair of slacks or jeans having a pair of legs 12,13. Each leg has a front surface 14,15 and a rear surface (not shown).

As illustrated the front surface 14 of leg 12 carries attached thereto eg. by stitching, a series of

velcro patches 16. The patches may as shown cover the whole of the front surface 14 of leg 12 or only a portion thereof.

In addition, although front surface 15 of leg 13 is shown as plain it too may include a multiplicity of velcro patches 16 if desired. Furthermore, there may be a similar or different arrangement of velcro patches on the rear surfaces (not shown) of each of legs 12 and 13, or either or both of those surface may be left plain.

In use decorative elements 17 of eg. fabric material are applied to each of patches 16 as necessary to provide any desired decorative effect. In addition, the elements 17 may be essentially co-terminous with patches 16 as shown or oversize as desired.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, those show two variations. First, as shown in Figure 2, the invention may be used to provide for removable and replaceable decoration by way of knee patches 21,22. As shown the patches may include lettering X, Y or any other decorative effect.

Secondly, as shown in Figure 3, the invention may be used to provide for removable and replaceable decoration by way of pocket patches 23,24. Again, as shown the patches may including lettering A, B or any other decorative effect.

In addition, while the patches shown in both Figure 2 and Figure 3 are essentially rectangular, they may be of any other shape such as round, oval, triangular etc.

Furthermore, the pocket patches 23,24 may provide an amusing effect in modern dancing. If the patches are left uncovered they may be brought together as pairs in a back to back dance routine between two people. Then as part of the dance routine the couple may stick together and "rip" apart in sequence.

As will be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the details specifically described above and numerous modifications and variations may be made within the spirit and scope of the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A decoratable substrate which comprises a substrate having defined on at least one surface thereof a multiplicity of discrete areas which are constructed and/or arranged to provide an adhesive effect and to which decorative elements can be adhered at will in any desired pattern.

2. A substrate according to claim 1, which is a woven or non-woven fabric, paper or cardboard.

3. A substrate according to claim 1 or claim 2, which is a fabric in finished form.

4. A substrate according to claim 3, wherein the finished form is a garment or an item of household linen.

5. A substrate according to claim 4, wherein the item of household linen is a cushion or furniture covering, curtains or bed linen such as a duvet cover.

6. A substrate according to claim 1 or claim 2 which is paper or cardboard in finished form such as wallpaper.

7. A substrate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the discrete areas comprise a coating of contact adhesive covered by a release layer.

8. A substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the discrete areas comprise an adhesive fabric such

as velcrol.

9. A substrate according to claim 8, wherein the discrete

areas are velcropatches.

10. A substrate according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein

the velcrolis adhered to the substrate by stitching.

11. A substrate according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described or defined.

12. A decoratable substrate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

13. A combination comprising a substrate according to one or more of the preceding claims and a multiplicity of decorative elements.

14. A combination according to claim 13, wherein the decorative elements comprise a fabric material.

15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein the

fabric material is lace, silk or Lycrat

16. A combination according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the decorative elements comprise: Silk or textile flowers A festive decoration such as bells A pictorial representation Reflectors Holograms Eyes Decalcomania.

17. A combination according to claim 13 substantially as hereinbefore described.

18. A pack comprising at least one substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a multiplicity of decorative elements.

19. A pack according to claim 18, wherein the decorative elements are as defined in any one or more of claims 14 to 16.

20. A pack according to claim 18 substantially as hereinbefore described.