Kit of pre-construction samples for replicating construction products

Abstract

The present invention is a pre-construction sample that is made of a flexible material and has a product image corresponding to an actual construction product. The pre-construction sample is preferably at least 18 inches in one dimension. The pre-construction sample is preferably produced by a printing process having at least 200 dpi, and more preferably 300 dpi. Kits of pre-construction samples are provided to assist the consumer choosing from among various construction products, such as flooring, decking, countertops, cabinets, windows, shingles, among others.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of assisting a consumer with a selection of a countertop product, comprising:
 printing a plurality of countertop samples, each of the countertop samples being made of a flexible material and having a substantially flat primary surface that includes a countertop image replicating a countertop product, the countertop image for each countertop sample being an image of only a single countertop product and having an irregularity pattern that substantially corresponds to an irregularity pattern of the countertop product being replicated, the irregularity pattern of the countertop sample being substantially the same scale as the irregularity pattern of the countertop product being replicated, the countertop products being replicated include a first countertop product and a second countertop product having different irregularity patterns and that are associated with, respectively, a first flexible countertop sample and a second flexible countertop sample;   allowing the consumer to access at least one web page, the at least one web page including a plurality of icons corresponding to the countertop products;   based on the interaction of the consumer with the at least one webpage, receiving selections of the first flexible countertop sample and the second flexible countertop sample; and   placing the first and second flexible countertop samples in a package for transportation to the consumer.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the placing includes rolling the first and second flexible countertop samples into a generally cylindrical shape and inserting the first and second flexible countertop samples into a tubular package. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a primary surface containing the countertop image is has a width and a length, at least one of the length and the width of each countertop sample being at least 18 inches. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further including, acquiring photographic images of the countertop products and manipulating the photographic images to provide the countertop images for countertop samples. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further including manipulation of the photographic images to provide color matching such that the countertop image better matches a color of the actual countertop product. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the flexible material includes a coating to increase the glossiness of the countertop sample to better match the reflectivity of the corresponding countertop product. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further including the following acts by the consumer:
 laying the first countertop sample over an existing countertop;   after the laying of the first countertop sample, comparing the first countertop sample with at least one structure adjacent to the existing countertop;   laying the second countertop sample over the existing countertop; and   after the laying of the second countertop sample, comparing the second countertop sample with the at least one structure adjacent to the existing countertop.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a primary surface containing the countertop image further includes a label section directly adjacent to the countertop image and extending entirely across one of either the width or the length of the primary surface. 
     
     
         29 . A method of assisting a consumer with a selection of a countertop product, comprising:
 allowing the consumer to access at least one web page, the at least one web page including a plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of countertop products, the plurality of countertop products having different irregularity patterns;   based on the interaction of the consumer with the at least one webpage, receiving an input for a countertop sample corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of countertop products;   based on the input, transmitting a countertop image corresponding to the countertop sample to the consumer; and   printing, at a local printer associated with the consumer, the countertop sample, the countertop sample being made of a flexible material and having a substantially flat primary surface that includes the countertop image replicating the selected one of the plurality of countertop products, the countertop image being an image of only the selected one of the plurality of countertop products, the countertop sample having an irregularity pattern that substantially corresponds to an irregularity pattern of the selected one of the plurality of countertop products.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further including, acquiring photographic images of the countertop products and manipulating the photographic images to provide the countertop images associated with the plurality of countertop products. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the manipulating of the photographic images is to provide better color matching relative to the countertop products. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein a primary surface containing the countertop image is has a width and a length, at least one of the length and the width of each countertop sample being at least 18 inches. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the irregularity pattern for each countertop sample is substantially on a 1:1 scale to the irregularity pattern of the countertop product being replicated. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein a primary surface containing the countertop image further includes a label section directly adjacent to the countertop image and extending entirely across one of either the width or the length of the primary surface. 
     
     
         35 . A method of assisting a consumer with a selection of a paint color to be applied on a wall without having to paint the wall, comprising:
 producing a plurality of paint samples made of a flexible material and having a substantially flat primary surface, each of the plurality of paint samples including a different paint color on the substantially flat primary surface that corresponds to a different paint that could be applied to the wall, each of the plurality of paint samples having a back surface opposite to the substantially flat primary surface, the back surface including a pre-applied adhesive that permits the paint sample to be removably applied to the wall so as to allow the consumer to compare the paint sample to other features within the room;   allowing the consumer to access at least one web page, the at least one web page including a plurality of icons corresponding to the plurality of paint samples;   based on the interaction of the consumer with the at least one webpage, receiving a selection of at least one paint sample; and   placing the paint sample in a package for transportation to the consumer.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the placing includes rolling the paint sample into a generally cylindrical shape and inserting the paint sample into a tubular package. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the substantially flat primary surface containing the paint sample has a width and a length, at least one of the length and the width of each paint sample being at least  18  inches. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the selected paint sample has a surface finish, the surface finish being one of the group consisting of semi-gloss, eggshell, and satin. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the substantially flat primary surface of the selected paint sample includes a coating to provide the surface finish. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , further including the following acts by the consumer:
 attaching, via the pre-applied adhesive on the back surface, the paint sample to the wall adjacent to one of the other features within the room, the other feature within the room being one of a group consisting of wood trim, curtains, cabinets, and furniture.