ANIMATED ARTIFICIAL FLOWER

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to artificial flowers, and more specifically to providing an artificial flower device with animation features, including opening the petals thereof and upwardly extending a surprise gift, following either a partial immersion in a liquid or a push of a button.

2. Description of the Related Art

Artificial flowers are commonly used as decorative accessories. Flowers, whether natural or artificial, are commonly given to convey affection and express personal interest. Artificial flowers which provide animation can more advantageously capture the attention of an observer and impart greater feelings of delight.

SUMMARY

In view of the circumstances noted above, an aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an artificial flower device with animation features, such as opening a petal thereof, and/or upwardly extending a surprise gift from a hidden compartment provided by a closed petal. In some embodiments, animation of the artificial flower is actuated by exposing at least a portion of the stem thereof to a liquid. In some embodiments, animation of the artificial flower is actuated by releasing a latch.

In accordance with one embodiment, an animated artificial flower device is provided. The device comprises a stem, the stem comprising a tube; and at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla, the corolla movable between a stable closed state and a stable opened state, the corolla configured to provide a hidden compartment while in the stable closed state. Upon an exposure of at least a portion of the stem to a liquid, the corolla is actuated to be moved from the stable closed state toward the stable opened state, thereby exposing the hidden compartment.

With reference to the device of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment, the device further comprises a cord, with which the corolla can be moved from the stable opened state toward the stable closed state. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a holder disposed within the corolla to which a surprise object can be attached. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plunger movably disposed within the stem and upwardly extensible relative to the corolla. In another embodiment, the device further comprises: a shuttle, operably connected to the corolla, whereby the corolla can be moved between the stable closed state and the stable opened state; and a plunger disposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to the shuttle. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a dashpot configured to control a rate of animation. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable opened state following an animation delay time. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a chamber within the stem configured to receive a dissolvable pellet therein. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a shape and proportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable opened state gradually. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plunger movably disposed within the stem, wherein a rate of a motion of the plunger is configured to be non-uniform. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured to move toward the stable opened state at differing rates. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured to be opened in the stable opened state to differing degrees.

In accordance with another embodiment, an animated artificial flower device is provided. The device comprises a stem, the stem comprising a tube; a resilient spring disposed within the stem; at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla, the corolla movable between a stable closed state and a stable opened state, the corolla biased toward the stable opened state by the resilient spring, the corolla configured to provide a hidden compartment while in the stable closed state; and a latch, wherewith the corolla can be held in the stable closed state. Upon a release of the latch, the corolla is actuated to be moved from the stable closed state toward the stable opened state, thereby exposing the hidden compartment.

With reference to the device of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment, the device further comprises a cord, with which the corolla can be moved from the stable opened state toward the stable closed state. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a holder disposed within the corolla to which a surprise object can be attached. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plunger movably disposed within the stem and upwardly extensible relative to the corolla. In another embodiment, the device further comprises: a shuttle, operably connected to the corolla, whereby the corolla can be moved between the stable closed state and the stable opened state; and a plunger disposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to the shuttle. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a dashpot configured to control a rate of animation. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable opened state following an animation delay time. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a shape and proportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable opened state gradually. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plunger movably disposed within the stem, wherein a rate of a motion of the plunger is configured to be non-uniform. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured to move toward the stable opened state at differing rates. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured to be opened in the stable opened state to differing degrees.

In accordance with another embodiment, an animated artificial flower device is provided. The device comprises a stem, the stem comprising a tube; at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla; a holder disposed within the corolla; a clasp, slidably disposed in relation to the holder; and a resilient band, configured to provide a downward bias force on the clasp. The holder, the resilient band and the clasp define a presentation platform configured to removably attach a surprise object to the device.

With reference to the device of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment of the device, the surprise object comprises a ring, and the presentation platform is configured to hold the surprise object in a substantially upright position. In another embodiment of the device, the surprise object is removable from the presentation platform with a manual pull and rotation thereof, and replaceable to the presentation platform with a manual rotation and release thereof.

In accordance with another embodiment, an animated artificial flower device is provided. The device comprises a stem, the stem comprising a tube; at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla, the corolla movable between a stable closed state and a stable opened state; and a cord, wherewith the corolla can be moved from the stable opened state toward the stable closed state. Upon an exposure of at least a portion of the stem to a liquid, the corolla is actuated to be moved from the stable closed state toward the stable opened state.

With reference to the device of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to provide a hidden compartment while in the stable closed state, and expose the hidden compartment while being moved from the stable closed state toward the stable opened state. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a holder disposed within the corolla to which a surprise object can be attached. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plunger movably disposed within the stem and upwardly extensible relative to the corolla. In another embodiment, the device further comprises: a shuttle, operably connected to the corolla, whereby the corolla can be moved between the stable closed state and the stable opened state; and a plunger disposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to the shuttle. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a dashpot configured to control a rate of animation. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable opened state following an animation delay time. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a chamber within the stem configured to receive a dissolvable pellet therein. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a shape and proportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable opened state gradually. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plunger movably disposed within the stem, wherein a rate of a motion of the plunger is configured to be non-uniform. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured to move toward the stable opened state at differing rates. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured to be opened in the stable opened state to differing degrees.

In accordance with another embodiment, an animated artificial flower device is provided. The device comprises a stem, the stem comprising a tube; a resilient spring disposed within the stem; at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla, the corolla movable between a stable closed state and a stable opened state, the corolla biased toward the stable opened state by the resilient spring; a cord, wherewith the corolla can be moved from the stable opened state toward the stable closed state; and a latch, wherewith the corolla can be held in the stable closed state. Upon a release of the latch, the corolla is actuated to be moved from the stable closed state toward the stable opened state.

With reference to the device of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to provide a hidden compartment while in the stable closed state, and expose the hidden compartment while being moved from the stable closed state toward the stable opened state. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a holder disposed within the corolla to which a surprise object can be attached. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plunger movably disposed within the stem and upwardly extensible relative to the corolla. In another embodiment, the device further comprises: a shuttle, operably connected to the corolla, whereby the corolla can be moved between the stable closed state and the stable opened state; and a plunger disposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to the shuttle. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a dashpot configured to control a rate of animation. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable opened state following an animation delay time. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a shape and proportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable opened state gradually. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plunger movably disposed within the stem, wherein a rate of a motion of the plunger is configured to be non-uniform. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured to move toward the stable opened state at differing rates. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured to be opened in the stable opened state to differing degrees.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for animating an artificial flower device is provided, the device having a stem, the stem comprising a tube; and at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla, the corolla movable between a stable closed state and a stable opened state, the corolla configured to provide a hidden compartment while in the stable closed state. The method comprises actuating the device by immersing a least a portion of the stem in a liquid; and, in response to said actuation, moving the corolla from the stable closed state toward the stable opened state, thereby exposing the hidden compartment.

With reference to the method of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment, the method comprises moving the corolla from the stable opened state toward the stable closed state by pulling a cord. In another embodiment, the method comprises attaching a surprise object to a holder disposed within the corolla. In another embodiment, the method comprises upwardly extending, relative to the corolla, a plunger movably disposed within the stem. In another embodiment, the method comprises: moving a shuttle, the shuttle operably connected to the corolla, thereby moving the corolla between the stable closed state and the stable opened state; and moving a plunger in relation to the shuttle, the plunger disposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to the shuttle. In another embodiment, the method comprises controlling a rate of a motion with a dashpot. In another embodiment, the method comprises moving the corolla toward the stable opened state following an animation delay time. In another embodiment, the method comprises inserting a dissolvable pellet into a chamber within the stem. In another embodiment, the method comprises presenting the device with a shape and proportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower. In another embodiment, the method comprises moving the corolla toward the stable opened state gradually. In another embodiment, the method comprises varying a rate of a motion of a plunger movably disposed within the stem. In another embodiment, the method comprises moving at least two petals of the corolla toward the stable opened state at differing rates. In another embodiment, the method comprises presenting at least two petals of the corolla in the stable opened state opened to differing degrees.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for animating an artificial flower device is provided, the device having a stem comprising a tube; a resilient spring disposed within the stem; at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla, the corolla movable between a stable closed state and a stable opened state, the corolla biased toward the stable opened state by the resilient spring, the corolla configured to provide a hidden compartment while in the stable closed state; and a latch, wherewith the corolla can be held in the stable closed state. The method comprises actuating the device by releasing the latch; and, in response to said actuation, moving the corolla from the stable closed state toward the stable opened state, thereby exposing the hidden compartment.

With reference to the method of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment, the method comprises moving the corolla from the stable opened state toward the stable closed state by pulling a cord. In another embodiment, the method comprises attaching a surprise object to a holder disposed within the corolla. In another embodiment, the method comprises upwardly extending, relative to the corolla, a plunger movably disposed within the stem. In another embodiment, the method comprises: moving a shuttle, the shuttle operably connected to the corolla, thereby moving the corolla between the stable closed state and the stable opened state; and moving a plunger in relation to the shuttle, the plunger disposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to the shuttle. In another embodiment, the method comprises controlling a rate of a motion with a dashpot. In another embodiment, the method comprises moving the corolla toward the stable opened state following an animation delay time. In another embodiment, the method comprises presenting the device with a shape and proportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower. In another embodiment, the method comprises moving the corolla toward the stable opened state gradually. In another embodiment, the method comprises varying a rate of a motion of a plunger movably disposed within the stem. In another embodiment, the method comprises moving at least two petals of the corolla toward the stable opened state at differing rates. In another embodiment, the method comprises presenting at least two petals of the corolla in the stable opened state opened to differing degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate two embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention. The drawings include the following 58 figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts. Note that in all full and partial cross-sectional views, the sections are taken from a plane parallel to the viewing plane common to all front views, with the sectioning plane including the vertical center line of the device.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of an animated artificial flower device, with a corolla in a closed state and a sleeve in a ready state.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the artificial flower of FIG. 1, with the corolla in an opened state and the sleeve in the ready state, the flower in a liquid filled vase.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional front view of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional front view of the artificial flower, vase and liquid of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlargement of an upper part 501 of the view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlargement of a middle part 502 of the view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlargement of a lower part 503 of the view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an enlargement of an upper part 504 of the view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is an enlargement of an upper middle part 505 of the view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is an enlargement of a lower middle part 506 of the view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is an enlargement of a lower part 507 of the view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 20 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 21 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1, with the sleeve in a retracted state and without a pellet in a chamber.

FIG. 22 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1, with the sleeve in the retracted state and without the pellet in the chamber.

FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 is a top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2, with a clasp engaged.

FIG. 27 is a top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2, with the clasp disengaged.

FIG. 28 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2, with the clasp engaged.

FIG. 29 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2, with the clasp disengaged.

FIG. 30 is a front view of an embodiment of an animated artificial flower device, with a corolla in a closed state and a sleeve in a ready state.

FIG. 31 is a front view of the artificial flower of FIG. 30, with the corolla in an opened state and the sleeve in the ready state.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional front view of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional front view of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 is an enlargement of an upper part 601 of the view of FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is an enlargement of a middle part 602 of the view of FIG. 32.

FIG. 36 is an enlargement of a lower part 603 of the view of FIG. 32.

FIG. 37 is an enlargement of an upper part 604 of the view of FIG. 33.

FIG. 38 is an enlargement of an upper middle part 605 of the view of FIG. 33.

FIG. 39 is an enlargement of a lower middle part 606 of the view of FIG. 33.

FIG. 40 is an enlargement of a lower part 607 of the view of FIG. 33.

FIG. 41 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 42 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 43 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 44 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 45 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 46 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 47 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 48 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 49 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 50 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30, with the sleeve in a retracted state.

FIG. 51 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 52 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 53 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30, with the sleeve in the retracted state.

FIG. 54 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 55 is a top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31, with a clasp engaged.

FIG. 56 is a top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31, with the clasp disengaged.

FIG. 57 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31, with the clasp engaged.

FIG. 58 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31, with the clasp disengaged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Terminology

Unless otherwise specified and except when preceded by the word “natural,” terms commonly understood to identify parts of a natural flower, such as “petal,” “corolla,” “stem,” and “receptacle,” are used herein throughout the specification and appended claims to describe component parts of the example embodiments. These terms do not necessarily suggest a resemblance of such parts of the embodiments to similarly named parts of a natural flower and are not limiting. The term “flower” refers to an embodiment in the entirety thereof.

Unless otherwise specified, certain embodiments, though referred to herein throughout the specification and appended claims by the term “flower,” can bear little or no resemblance to a natural flower. Likewise, certain components, though identified herein throughout the specification and appended claims by a term that also identifies a part of a natural flower, can take other forms or serve other functions. The invention is not limited to use in artificial flowers as commonly understood.

The example embodiments in the drawings and illustrations referenced herein, though imparting the general appearance of a natural flower, are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather are drawn to enable clear visualization of the component parts. Natural flowers exist in a great variety of types, shapes and proportions. Some have short stocky stems. Some can have asymmetric petals, petals that vary widely in shape, only one petal or even petals not readily recognizable as such. Though the term “corolla” can be used herein to describe a plurality of petals, in a flower having one petal, one petal will constitute a corolla.

The drawings in this specification do not limit the invention to only those embodiments that generally resemble the illustrations. For example, the embodiments can be enhanced for additional realism or variety by altering the shape and proportions of the component parts, or by attaching additional simulated petals, sepals, petioles, leaves, nodes, branches, thorns or the like to the simulated stem, perianth or other parts of the embodiments. Such additional components can be added alone or in combination. The absence or inclusion of some such enhancing features in some of the embodiments herein by drawing or description is illustrative only and not limiting.

Moreover, the invention is not limited to embodiments that are intended to convey the beauty of natural flowers, or faithfully replicate the natural appearances, shapes or proportions thereof. An artificial flower can resemble a natural flower in a general sense without closely resembling a particular species of natural flower. It is contemplated that the various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein can be crafted as works of creative art to appear unlike existing natural flowers, or can include unnatural cartoonish features and fantastic embellishments.

References are made herein to a “shape and proportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower.” Society has long associated the shape and proportions of a presentable natural flower with the desirability thereof. Therefore, an artificial flower that appears to resemble the shape and proportions of a natural long-stemmed cut flower can be preferable over a flower that does not. Unless otherwise specified, the shape and proportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower shall be defined herein throughout the specification and appended claims as comprising primarily two generally cylindrical elements, a corolla and a stem, with the corolla joined to the upper end of the stem, and excluding a base structure durably attached to the lower end of the stem, such as a simulated flower pot or vase, having an outside diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the stem and upon which the flower is configured to stand. Furthermore, the ratio of the height of the corolla to the diameter thereof can vary from 1:10 to 10:1, the ratio of the height of the stem to the diameter thereof can vary from 10:1 to 300:1, the ratio of the diameter of the closed corolla to the diameter of the stem can vary from 2:1 to 100:1, and the ratio of the height of the closed corolla to the height of the stem can vary from 1:2 to 1:100.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms “open” and “close,” when used herein throughout the specification and appended claims in connection with the actions and/or components of the flower, such as the petals and corolla, in phrases such as “closing the petals,” “opening the petals,” “the flower in a closed state,” “the opened flower,” “to open the corolla” and “to close the corolla,” indicate a phase in the development of animation or a state of the flower. An “opened” flower or corolla or a flower or corolla in an “opened state” generally resembles a mature natural flower or corolla at the peak of anthesis, the petals projected outwardly at or toward their maximum extension. A “closed” flower or corolla or a flower or corolla in a “closed state” generally resembles a natural flower or corolla prior to the start of anthesis, the petals drawn together inwardly at or toward their minimum extension. The opened state and the closed state can each be stable, meaning the flower can manifest either the opened state or the closed state indefinitely. The flower in the closed state can be moved to transition to the opened state upon an actuating event; otherwise, the flower can remain in the closed state indefinitely. Thus, the closed state can be understood to mean a stable closed state. The flower in the opened state can be moved to transition to the closed state upon a manual reset event; otherwise, the flower can remain in the open state indefinitely. Thus, the opened state can be understood to mean a stable opened state. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above and their derivatives.

Many of the component parts of the example embodiments described herein are shown in a simplified form to facilitate understanding. During the process of manufacturing and assembling embodiments, adhesive materials and methods individually or in combination, such as glues, epoxies, solvent based adhesives, cables, knots, rivets, nuts, bolts, snap fits, press fits, locking features, screw threads, ultrasonic welding, and the like, to join multiple subunits of a component part shown or described as a single, integrally formed unit, can be used. In some cases, adjoining component parts, each shown or described as separate or independent units, can be manufactured and assembled as one single, integrally formed unit.

Certain terminology is used herein throughout the specification and appended claims to indicate an adherence, link or association between two or more component parts for convenience only and is not limiting. Unless otherwise specified, the words “connect,” “attach,” “bond,” “fasten,” “join,” “anchor,” “affix,” “hold” and “secure,” their derivatives and words of similar meaning, designate adherence, whether durable, transitory, fixed, movable, removable or otherwise. This adherence can be accomplished using a variety of techniques, such as the use of: an adhesive material or method (some examples of which are listed in the preceding paragraph); and/or a mechanical link between two or more discrete component parts with or without the intermediate use of additional component parts, whether referenced or not; and/or an intrinsic association between two or more sections of a single, integrally formed component part that is one unit; and/or any combination of the above.

Unless otherwise specified, component parts described and/or labeled as a “line” or a “cord” herein throughout the specification and appended claims can be any type of thread, cable, rod or shaft. The line or cord can comprise, but is not limited to, materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass, silk, cotton, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and the like. The line or cord can be monofilament or multifilament, rigid or flexible, elastic or unyielding, coarse or fine, plated or unplated, coated or uncoated, uniform or a combination or composite of various materials, and comprise any other properties of a line or cord.

The use of a flat type, helically coiled type, compression type, expansion type, spiral wound or other type of resilient spring in the embodiments herein is not limiting. A specification of a specific resilient spring type shall be understood as one option only and does not exclude other options. Other spring types or resilient member types can be used in alternative positions and configurations to provide similar functional benefits.

Unless otherwise specified, words such as “right,” “left,” “front,” “rear,” “up,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “radial,” “lateral,” “down,” “lower” and “upper” which designate direction and orientation are used herein throughout the specification and appended claims to designate directions and orientation in the drawings to which the reference is made, or in the referenced embodiments when positioned as suggested by the drawings and descriptions thereof. For example, the words “vertical” and “horizontal” designate, respectively, a general alignment to the upper/lower direction and a general perpendicularity thereto. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” designate all directions generally towards and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the applicable parts or embodiments, and unless otherwise noted, describe vectors generally parallel to a horizontal plane. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives and words of similar meaning.

Unless otherwise specified, the meanings of words which designate or describe geometric figures, shapes and structures, such as, “line,” “plane,” “round,” “tube,” “circle,” “square,” “rectangle,” “ellipse,” “cylinder,” “sphere,” “cube,” “torus,” “globe,” “encircle,” “diameter,” “cone,” “radius” and “circumference,” shall include their literal meaning, as well as figures, shapes and structures that can be imperfect, irregular, asymmetric or otherwise embellished. This understanding shall apply herein throughout the specification and appended claims to all such words which designate or describe geometric figures, shapes and structures, their derivatives and words of similar meaning.

References are made herein throughout the specification and appended claims to a “soluble pellet” or “pellet”. Unless otherwise specified, the pellet is a substantially solid or rigid component which, by an exposure to a select liquid, can dissolve, chemically react, effervesce, disintegrate, soften, collapse, break down, or otherwise change from the solid state or rigid structure thereof to a state or structure of substantially diminished solidity or rigidity.

The pellet can comprise sugar (such as sucrose, dextrose and fructose) and/or other ingredients, such as gelatin, gums (such as acacia), binders (such as lactose, dibasic calcium phosphate, starch, microcrystalline cellulose and modified cellulose), disintegrants (such as starch, cellulose, cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sodium starch glycolate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulosemethycellulose) and/or the like. The pellet can comprise soluble salts, soluble paper, paper, soluble plastics (such as polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrolidone) and/or the like. The pellet can comprise a piece of candy of any fully or partially soluble formulation. The pellet can comprise combinations of substances which chemically react when exposed to a select liquid, such as citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, which when exposed to water, can effervesce, forming gas and other byproducts. The pellet can be homogenous or an aggregate of dissimilar materials, or can comprise other physical structures. The pellet can comprise forms such as a rolled tube, extruded rod, molded plug, beads, compressed tablets or hollow cylinder, or can comprise other regular or irregular shapes.

The pellet can be formulated to dissolve at any rate. In some embodiments, the pellet can be formulated to substantially lose its solid state or rigid structure in less than 10 seconds. In other embodiments, the pellet can be formulated to substantially maintain its solid state or rigid structure for more than 10 hours. By its formulation, physical structure and shape, dissolution time of the pellet can be set by design to any value, without limitation, such as 0.1 seconds or 10 weeks. In one embodiment, the dissolution time of the pellet can be 3 seconds. In another, it can be 1 minute. In yet another, the dissolution time can be 1 hour. The pellet can be coded by a color to visually indicate the anticipated dissolution rate thereof.

Unless otherwise specified, the meaning of the term “dissolve” shall be expanded herein throughout the specification and appended claims to include dissolve, chemically react, effervesce, disintegrate, soften, collapse, break down, or otherwise change from a solid state or rigid structure to a state or structure of substantially diminished solidity or rigidity, and shall be understood in accordance with the specific pellet shape, structure and formulation being contemplated. The derivatives of the term “dissolve” and similar words, including “solution,” “soluble,” “dissolution” and “dissolvable,” shall receive a comparably expanded understanding.

Unless otherwise specified, the team “solvent” and “select liquid,” or simply “liquid,” are used herein throughout the specification and appended claims to refer to a fluid in which the pellet being contemplated is soluble, or capable of dissolving, chemically reacting, effervescing, disintegrating, softening, collapsing, breaking down, or otherwise being changed from a solid state or a rigid structure to a state or structure substantially lacking solidity or rigidity. The fluid can comprise water or any solution or mixture thereof. The fluid can also comprise non-aqueous liquids, such as oils or alcohols, or any combination thereof. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives and words of similar meaning.

References are made herein to a “surprise object” and/or “surprise gift,” or simply “gift”. The terms are used interchangeably. Unless otherwise specified, the terms “surprise object,” “surprise gift” and “gift,” their derivatives, and words of similar meaning shall be understood herein throughout the specification and appended claims to be a tangible article that can be provided by the flower or manually associated to the flower by a user for any intent or purpose. The article can be removable or can be durably attached to the flower, can comprise a mounting adapter, removable covering, openable container or other enclosure or housing, and is not limited and does not exclude any type of article, number of articles or combination of articles. For example, the article can comprise a doll, figurine, animated fairy, toy animal, piece of chocolate, candy, photograph, written message, audible greeting, greeting card, invitation, airline tickets, coupon, gift card, container of perfume, air freshener gel, car key, house key, watch, engagement ring, pair of earrings, and the like. In certain embodiments, the article, mounting adapter and/or enclosure, independently or interconnectedly, can comprise an electric battery, switch, and/or electronic circuit and/or mechanical apparatus, to provide features such as illumination, sound generation, moving parts, release of a fragrant substance, and the like.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms “manual” and “manipulation” are used herein throughout the specification and appended claims to refer to an external interaction with the example embodiments or the component parts thereof. For example, steps or directions that describe manual handling or manipulation suggest an application of an external force by, for example, a human hand, but that force can be provided alternatively or additionally by a tool, an automated machine or otherwise. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives and words of similar meaning.

Unless otherwise specified, the term “automatic” is used herein throughout the specification and appended claims to describe actions and processes which occur without a generally concurrent input of a mechanical force provided by manual handling or manipulation. A motion, development, change or occurrence is automatic when it proceeds without a generally concurrent input of manual handling or manipulation having a force commensurate in magnitude with the force required to perform the motion, development, change or occurrence. A motion, development, change or occurrence is not automatic if the energy used for the realization thereof is, in full or in large part, provided by a generally concurrent input of manual handling or manipulation. However, manual handling or manipulation can provoke or trigger the actuation of an automatic motion, development, change or occurrence. A motion, development, change or occurrence is automatic if the energy used for the realization thereof is, in full or in large part, drawn from an internal source, such as a battery or resilient spring, which is configured to indefinitely store the energy required to produce the desired motion, development, change or occurrence. The terminology includes the word specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar meaning.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms “gradual” and “gradually” are used herein throughout the specification and appended claims to describe a duration of a motion, transition or change. Action or activity can be perceived as gradual or as occurring gradually when the associated motion, transition or change takes place slowly or over a substantial period of time, rather than quickly or suddenly. Gradual motion or change can indicate to an observer a controlling or regulating element to that motion, transition or change, which can be pleasant and desirable. Conversely, sudden motion, transition or change can indicate to an observer a lack of control or regulation, and can be startling or disturbing. Motion, transition or change in an artificial flower can generally be perceived as controlled or regulated, and therefore gradual, if the duration thereof is greater than about 0.2 s (seconds), and uncontrolled, and therefore sudden, if the duration thereof is less than about 0.2 s. This corresponds generally with typical human visual input to motor output reaction times. Humans can generally regard those actions occurring more slowly than reaction time as gradual, and more quickly than reaction time as sudden. Unless otherwise specified, “gradual” and “gradually” shall be understood herein throughout the specification and appended claims as describing any motion, transition or change having a duration, from start to finish, greater than 0.2 s. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives and words of similar meaning.

Unless otherwise specified, terms such as, “place,” “placement,” “expose,” “exposure,” “immersion” and “partial immersion,” are used interchangeably herein throughout the specification and appended claims in connection with terms such as, “container,” “vase,” “water,” “solvent,” “select liquid” and “liquid,” to describe a method of actuating the flower in a manner resembling the handling that is customarily given a natural cut flower, such as a placement of the stem of the flower into a container of a liquid, or equivalently, a placement of the stem of the flower into an empty container into which a liquid is subsequently added, to thereby immerse at least a lower portion thereof in the liquid. The terminology additionally describes alternative methods of exposing or immersing a least a portion of the stem of the flower in a liquid. Such alternatives include, but are not limited to, exposing at least part of the stem of the flower to a spray, sprinkle, shower, flow, stream or any other manifestation of a liquid, and/or at least partially immersing the stem of the flower in a cup, vase, pitcher or any other body of a liquid. If so specified, the terminology can exclude an administration of a liquid into the corolla or therethrough.

Unless otherwise specified, terms such as “hidden” and “concealed” are used interchangeably herein throughout the specification and appended claims in connection with terms such as “gift” and “compartment” to indicate substantial concealment and shall be understood to include arrangements or configurations that are largely hidden or concealed.

Detailed Description of Selected Example Embodiments

As shown in the accompanying drawings, certain embodiments can provide animation and the presentation of a surprise gift in an artificial flower device. In one embodiment, a spring driven mechanism actuated by an exposure of a stem to a select liquid can be used to simulate natural flowering actions at a gradual rate. In another embodiment, the simulation of natural flowering actions can be actuated by pushing a button. A surprise gift concealed within a hidden compartment of the flower can gradually ascend and be revealed as the flower opens.

FIGS. 1-29 illustrate an example embodiment of an animated artificial flower device 500.

The flower 500, shown closed in FIGS. 1 and 3, and opened in FIGS. 2 and 4, preferably includes a plurality of simulated petals 515, 516 and 517 in a plurality of layers that define a corolla 508. In one embodiment, an outer layer comprising 3 of the petals 517 can overlap a middle layer comprising 3 of the petals 516, which can further overlap an inner layer comprising 3 of the petals 515. Other embodiments can comprise a fewer or a greater number of petals per layer, variations in the number of petals per layer among the layers, and/or a fewer or a greater number of layers of petals. For example, one embodiment can comprise 4 petals per layer and 1 layer of petals. Another embodiment can comprise 2 petals per layer and 12 layers of petals. Another embodiment can comprise 5 petals on one layer and 4 petals on another layer. There is no limitation to the number of petals per layer and layers of petals that can be provided by the embodiments disclosed herein.

The flower 500 preferably includes a generally cylindrical stem 510, which can comprise a hollow tube. The corolla 508 can be attached to the stem 510 by a receptacle 509. The stem 510 can be fully straight or comprise bends or curves. The stem 510 can include an inlet 510a through which a select liquid 519 can enter into the stem 510. The flower 500 can comprise a retractable generally cylindrical sleeve 511 to facilitate restoring the opened flower 500 to the closed state whereby the flower 500 can be used again. The outside diameter of the sleeve 511 can be substantially equal to the outside diameter of the stem 510. An end cap 512 can be durably attached to the lower end of the sleeve 511.

Certain embodiments of the flower 500 can closely resemble the shape and proportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower. In other embodiments, the shape and proportions of the flower 500 can vary considerably from those customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower and are not limited by the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the flower 500 can be placed in a vase 518. The vase 518 can contain the liquid 519. The flower 500 can include, or receive for inclusion, a surprise gift 513, such as a jeweled ring. The gift 513 can be secured to a generally cylindrical holder 514.

The flower 500 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5-29.

The closed corolla 508 can be configured to provide a hidden compartment 520 wherein the gift 513 can be concealed. The compartment 520 can be exposed and the gift 513 revealed as the corolla 508 opens. The holder 514 can be configured to removably hold the gift 513. The gift 513 can be pressingly held against an upper annulus of the holder 514 under an upper arm 521a of a clasp 521. The clasp 521 can have a generally “C” shape to thereby° comprise the properties of a hook. The clasp 521 can be subject to a downwards bias force which can be applied by a resilient elastic band 522. The band 522 can be replaceably anchored around a peg 514d of the holder 514 and threaded through an opening 514c of the holder 514 and over a lower arm 521c of the clasp 521. The flower 500 can include a generally cylindrical plunger 524. The holder 514 can be durably attached to the upper end of the plunger 524.

The plunger 524 can be movably disposed within the stem 510 and upwardly extensible relative to the corolla 508. A vertical motion of the plunger 524 can be controlled by a line 523. The line 523 can comprise a knot 523a at the upper end thereof whereby the line 523 can be securely coupled to the plunger 524. The line 523 can be disposed through a passage 524b through the general center of the plunger 524. The diameter of the line 523 can be less than the diameter of the passage 524b so that the passage 524b can also vent air.

A compensation spring 525, which can be a helically coiled resilient compression spring, can be slidably disposed around the plunger 524 to provide a separating bias force between the holder 514 and a generally cylindrical shuttle 526. The shuttle 526 can be slidably disposed around the plunger 524 and within a series of hinge frames 527, 529, 531 and the receptacle 509.

Each petal 515, 516 and 517 of the flower 500 can be durably attached to an outwardly extended mounting tab of a hinge 528, 530 and 532. Each hinge 528, 530 and 532 can comprise a pivot 528a, 530a and 532a about which each hinge 528, 530 and 532 can rotate. Each hinge 528, 530 and 532 can comprise a head 528b, 530b and 532b to thereby engage the shuttle 526 via a plurality of sockets 526a of the shuttle 526.

The hinge frames 527, 529, 531 and the receptacle 509 can comprise a set of clearance spaces to accommodate the hinges 528, 530 and 532 therein. The hinge frames 527, 529, 531 and the receptacle 509 can furthermore comprise a set of integral bearings to rotatably hold the hinges 528, 530 and 532 therein by the pivots 528a, 530a and 532a thereof. The clearance spaces of the hinge frames 527, 529, 531 and the receptacle 509 can limit the range of rotation of each of the hinges 528, 530 and 532 and the petals 515, 516 and 517.

A shuttle spring 533, which can be a helically coiled resilient compression spring, can be slidably disposed around the stem 510 and within a pocket 509a of the receptacle 509. The shuttle spring 533 can provide a bias force to lift the shuttle 526 to thereby rotate the engaged hinges 528, 530 and 532 and open the petals 515, 516 and 517.

The flower 500 can comprise other types of shuttle springs 533 or the shuttle spring 533 in other positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the shuttle spring 533 can be a resilient flat spring, attached at one end to the upper surface of the upper hinge frame 527 and attached at the other end to a rim protruding outwardly from the upper part of the shuttle 526, thereby providing a similar bias force to lift the shuttle 526.

The plunger 524 can comprise a helical groove 524a. The groove 524a can comprise variations in the pitch, thread direction, number of turns, width and depth thereof along the course thereof. A pin 534 can be durably attached to the stem 510 and engage the groove 524a to thereby further control the motion of the plunger 524 within the stem 510. A measure of grease 535 can fill the groove 524a and can also fill a gap between the plunger 524 and the stem 510. The grease 535 can be any lubricating fluid and can comprise viscous and thixotropic properties in any degree. The grease 535 can be oil-based, polysiloxane-based, or comprise another base type. The grease 535 can also comprise other lubricating fluids, such as petroleum jelly.

The flower 500 can comprise a plunger spring 537, which can be a helically coiled resilient compression spring slidably disposed within the stem 510. An upper washer 536 can be slidably disposed within the stem 510 separating the plunger 524 from the plunger spring 537. The flower 500 can comprise a seal 539 to substantially seal the spaces within the stem 510 separated thereby against a passage of fluids while providing minimal resistance to a passage therethough of the line 523. A lower washer 538 can be disposed within the stem 510 to separate the plunger spring 537 from the seal 539. The seal 539 can be any material, such as polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene, or a type rubber, such as polychloroprene or nitrile butadiene, and can be pressingly disposed within the stem 510 and around the line 523.

The flower 500 can comprise a guide 540 which can be durably attached to the stem 510. The flower 500 can include a generally flat clip 541 comprising a slot 541a. The clip 541 can be disposed to slide vertically within the stem 510 and within a flute 540a of the guide 540. The guide 540 can minimize rotation of the clip 541 within the stem 510 so that the slot 541a of the clip 541 can align with the inlet 510a of the stem 510. The guide 540 can comprise an upper bound to a generally cylindrical chamber 542, which can be configured to receive a dissolvable pellet 543. Thus, at the generally lowest vertical position of the clip 541, the pellet 543 can enter the chamber 542 through both the inlet 510a and the slot 541a. The line 523 at the lower end thereof can be durably attached to the upper part of the clip 541.

A cord 544 can be durably attached at the upper end thereof to the lower part of the clip 541. The cord 544 can run through a conduit 545a of a generally cylindrical post 545 and can be durably attached at the lower end thereof to the cap 512. The post 545 can be durably attached to the stem 510 abutting the lower end of the guide 540, thereby providing a lower bound of the chamber 542. The sleeve 511 can be slidably disposed over the post 545.

A key 546 can be durably attached to the sleeve 511 and can slide along a longitudinal track 545b of the post 545 to limit the extent of rotational and slidable motion of the sleeve 511. A lock 545c radially perpendicular to the track 545b can engage the key 546 upon a rotational motion of the sleeve 511 while at the generally lowest vertical position thereof to thereby lock the sleeve 511 in a retracted position (i.e., a “retracted state”) of the sleeve 511. The sleeve 511 can be configured to hold therein a portion of the cord 544.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5-29, an operation of the flower 500 is described in greater detail.

Unless otherwise noted, the positions and motions of the various component parts of the flower 500 are described herein throughout the specification and appended claims in relation to the following component parts, which can be generally regarded as a static unit: the receptacle 509, the stem 510, the hinge frames 527, 529 and 531, the pin 534, the lower washer 538, the seal 539, the guide 540 and the post 545.

The pellet 543 can be manually inserted into the chamber 542, and there disposed, can impede an ascent of the clip 541, thereby holding the flower 500 in the closed state, which closed state can be stable. In the closed state of the flower 500, the plunger 524 and components attached thereto, including the gift 513 and the holder 514, can be at the generally lowest vertical position thereof, the compensation spring 525 can be in a compressed state, the shuttle 526 can be at the generally lowest vertical position thereof (which generally lowest vertical position of the shuttle 526 can be configured by a clearance space within the receptacle 509 and/or the upper end of the stem 510 within the receptacle 509), the shuttle spring 533 can be in a compressed state, the plunger spring 537 can be in a compressed state, and the clip 541 can be at the generally lowest vertical position thereof. Furthermore, in the closed state of the flower 500 the sleeve 511 can be at the generally uppermost vertical position thereof (i.e., a “ready state” of the sleeve 511) and a portion of the cord 544 can be held gathered into a space within the sleeve 511 between the lower end of the post 545 and the upper end of the cap 512. In the closed state, the flower 500 can be ready to be actuated to be moved to the opened state, which actuation can be accomplished by exposing the pellet 543 to the liquid 519.

Upon an exposure to the liquid 519, the pellet 543 can begin to dissolve. As the pellet 543 begins to dissolve, the clip 541 can begin to ascend by the bias force of the plunger spring 537 upon the plunger 524 applied through the line 523. As the clip 541 can begin to ascend, the position of some of the other components of the flower 500, which can be directly and/or indirectly attached thereto, can also begin to change. For example, the upper end of the cord 544 can begin to be pulled upwardly, taking up the gathered portion of the cord 544 from the space below the lower end of the post 545, the plunger 524 and the components attached thereto, including the gift 513 and the holder 514, can begin to ascend, the extent of the compression of the plunger spring 537 can begin to be reduced, and the extent of the compression of the compensation spring 525 can begin to be reduced.

However, the downward bias force that can be applied upon the shuttle 526 by the compensation spring 525, in both the compressed state and as the extent of the compression thereof can begin to diminish during the initial portion of the ascent of the plunger 524 as described above, can be greater than the upwards bias force applied upon the shuttle 526, at the generally lowest vertical position thereof, by the shuttle spring 533 in the compressed state. Thus, the position of the shuttle 526 and the extent of the compression of the shuttle spring 533 can remain unchanged during the initial portion of the ascent of the plunger 524, which can occur as the pellet 543 begins to dissolve.

The corolla 508 can remain unchanged in the closed state for a particular amount of time during and/or following the dissolution of the pellet 543, which time can be determined by factors including the rate of the ascent of the plunger 524, the degree of compression in the compressed state of the compensation spring 525 and the shuttle spring 533, and the relationship of the properties of the springs 525 and 533. Such properties include the rate and free length of the springs 525 and 533.

For example, a compensation spring 525 having a rate of 10 g/mm (grams per millimeter) and a free length of 25 mm can provide a bias force of 150 g at a working length of 10 mm in the compressed state. A shuttle spring 533 having a rate of 10 g/mm and a free length of 35 mm can provide a bias force of 100 g at a working length of 25 mm in the compressed state. While the bias force of the compensation spring 525 is greater than or equal to the bias force of the shuttle spring 533, the shuttle 526 can remain at the generally lowest vertical position thereof and the corolla 508 can remain closed.

In the example, at an increase by 5 mm in the extension of the plunger 524, the working length of the compensation spring 525 is increased by the same amount and the bias force thereof is reduced to 100 g. At this point, the bias force of the springs 525 and 533 are equal. The bias force of the springs 525 and 533 can remain substantially equal and diminish similarly during a portion of the continued ascent of the plunger 524, which continued ascent can be accompanied by an ascent of the shuttle 526, which can open the corolla 508. For springs 525 and 533 that have a generally equal rate (grams per millimeter), the rate (millimeters per second) of the ascent of the shuttle 526 can be about one half of the rate (millimeters per second) of the ascent of the plunger 524. For springs 525 and 533 that have a substantially unequal rate, the rate of the ascent of the shuttle 526 can be substantially greater than or less than one half of the rate of the ascent of the plunger 524. Thereby, the rate of the opening of the corolla 508 can be further regulated in relation to the rate of the ascent of the plunger 524.

At a certain point during the ascent of the plunger 524, the ascent of the shuttle 536 can come to a stop (as can be determined by the configured range of rotation of the hinges 528, 530 and 532 within the hinge frames 527, 529, 531 and the receptacle 509) with the corolla 508 fully open. The plunger 524 can continue to ascend, however, which can further reduce the bias force of the compensation spring 525 to zero.

The animation activities of some of the components of the flower 500, including the shuttle 526, the hinges 528, 530 and 532, and the petals 515, 516 and 517, can be delayed. In the flower 500, the closed state of the corolla 508 can remain unchanged during the dissolution of the pellet 543 and for a subsequent particular amount of time. The corolla 508 can begin to be opened following an “animation delay time,” which can be the time expected to elapse between the time that the flower 500 is actuated and the time that the animation activities of the flower 500 begin to become readily apparent, including the opening of the corolla 508 and the revealing of the gift 513, and can be any amount of time, such as 5 seconds, 3 hours or 2 days.

Following the dissolution of the pellet 543, i.e., following the substantial loss of the solid state and/or rigid structure thereof, the clip 541 can ascend towards the uppermost position thereof with no further impediment and the cord 544 can be pulled upwardly, taking up the remaining gathered portion thereof. Moreover, at the ascent of the clip 541, the plunger 524 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 514 and the gift 513, can ascend towards the maximum extension thereof by the bias force of the plunger spring 537, the compensation spring 525 can extend to the free length thereof, the shuttle 526 can ascend by the bias force of the shuttle spring 533 (minus the opposing bias force of the compensation spring 525 that, in the course of the ascent of the plunger 524, can diminish to zero), and the hinges 528, 530 and 532 can rotate towards the maximum open position thereof, thereby moving the petals 515, 516 and 517 to the opened state, which opened state can be stable. The ascent of the plunger 524 and the gift 513 can generally coincide with and/or continue beyond the duration of the opening of the corolla 508.

The plunger 524 and the gift 513 can be upwardly extensible relative to the corolla 508, meaning that the plunger 524 and the gift 513 can ascend by any amount to any elevation relative to the corolla 508. The extent of the ascent of the plunger 524 and the gift 513 can be independent of and unrelated to any property of a mechanism used to open the corolla 508, such as the mechanism comprising the hinge frames 527, 529, 531, the receptacle 509, the shuttle spring 533, the shuttle 526, the compensation spring 525, the hinges 528, 530 and 532, and the petals 515, 516 and 517. Rather, the extent of the ascent of the plunger 524 and the gift 513 can be substantially regulated by the length of the plunger 524, the length of the stem 510, the length of the plunger spring 537, and other components of the flower 500. The plunger 524 and the gift 513 can be extended upwardly within or beyond the opened corolla 508 by 5 mm, 20 mm, 100 mm or any other distance, without limitation. The plunger 524 and the gift 513 can be extended upwardly within or beyond the opened corolla 508 by 0.2 units, 1 unit, 5.2 units or any other multiple of a unit of height of the generally cylindrical shape of the closed corolla 508, without limitation.

The stem 510, the plunger 524, the groove 524a, the pin 534 and the grease 535 of the flower 500 can be viewed as a system. This system can comprise a viscous fluid damper, or “dashpot.” The dashpot can regulate the rate of the animation activities of the flower 500, including the ascent of the plunger 524 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 514 and the gift 513. As the groove 524a can comprise a helical component, the ascent of the plunger 524 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 514 and the gift 513, can comprise a concurrent rotation about the vertical axis thereof. The rate of the ascent of the plunger 524 can be substantially regulated by the following characteristics of the dashpot: the size of the gap between the plunger 524 and the stem 510, the width, depth and pitch of the groove 524a, the width and length of the pin 534, the viscosity of the grease 535, and the magnitude of the bias force of the plunger spring 537; any of which can be varied to any degree without limitation.

The width, depth and/or pitch of the groove 524a can vary along the groove 524a such that the plunger 524 can ascend at a variable (i.e., non-uniform) rate. For example, the plunger 524 can ascend more slowly prior to the opening of the petals 515, 516 and 517 than during the opening thereof, and can then ascend more quickly following the full opening of the petals 515, 516 and 517. The duration of the animation delay time, the duration and uniformity of the rate of the opening of the corolla 508, and the duration and uniformity of the rate of the ascent of the gift 513 can thus be controlled independently. The rate of the motion of the plunger 524 can be non-uniform without limitation.

The flower 500 can comprise other types of dashpots or the dashpot in other positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the dashpot can comprise a cylindrical tube disposed in the space within the plunger spring 537 and durably attached at the lower end thereof to the lower washer 538. Said tube can be filled with a viscous fluid and sealed at each end, with apertures in said seals to allow a passage therethrough of the line 523. A bead can be durably attached to the line 523 and slidably disposed within said tube. The displacement of said viscous fluid by said bead as the bead is pulled through said tube during the animation activities of the flower 500 can provide a regulation of the rate thereof. Variations in the inside diameter of said tube can provide variations in the rate of the dashpot.

As another example of the other types of dashpots or the dashpot in other positions which the flower 500 can comprise to provide similar benefits, the dashpot can comprise an application of the grease 535 in a gap between the shuttle 526 and the hinge frames 527, 529, 531 and receptacle 509 and/or an application of the grease 535 in a gap between the pivots 528a, 530a and 532a of the hinges 528, 530 and 532 and the integral bearings of the hinge frames 527, 529, 531 and receptacle 509 in which the pivots 528a, 530a and 532a can rotate. Such a dashpot can retard the rate of the opening of the corolla 508 independently of any other factors. The duration of the opening of the corolla 508 can be less than, greater than, or equal to the duration of the ascent of the plunger 524 and gift 513. The corolla 508 can continue to open as the plunger 524 ascends and, additionally, following the full ascent thereof.

The rate of the ascent of the plunger 524 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 514 and the gift 513, can be controlled by the characteristics of the dashpot, as described above, and can be any rate, without limitation. The rate of the ascent of the plunger 524 at any position thereof can be 0.01 mm/s (millimeters per second), 250 mm/s, or any other rate. Therefore, the duration of the ascent of the plunger 524 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 514 and the gift 513, from start to finish, can be 0.1 seconds, 2 hours or any other amount of time.

The duration of the animation delay time of the flower 500 can be dependent upon and/or controlled by the rate of the ascent of the plunger 524 during an initial portion of the ascent thereof. Therefore, the duration of the animation delay time of the flower 500 can also be regulated by the characteristics of the dashpot, as described above, and can be any amount of time, without limitation. The animation delay time of the flower 500, can be 0.1 seconds, 2 hours or any other amount of time.

The rate of the opening of the corolla 508 can be dependent upon and/or controlled by the rate of the ascent of the plunger 524 during a portion of the ascent thereof. Therefore, the rate of the opening of the corolla 508 can also be regulated by the characteristics of the dashpot, as described above, and can be any rate, without limitation. The opening of the corolla 508, from start to finish, can take 0.1 seconds, 2 hours or any other amount of time.

Animation activities of the flower 500, including the opening of the corolla 508 and the lifting of the plunger 524 and the gift 513 from within the compartment 520, can occur following the dissolution of the pellet 543 at a rate unrelated to and/or independent of the rate of the dissolution of the pellet 543. The duration of the transition of the corolla 508 from the stable closed state to the stable opened state can be controlled or regulated by the dashpot and can be gradual. The duration of the ascent of the plunger 524 and/or the gift 513 can be controlled or regulated by the dashpot and can be gradual.

The distance between the pivot 528a and the head 528b of the hinge 528 can be substantially unequal to the distance between the pivot 530a and the head 530b of the hinge 530, which can be substantially unequal to the distance between the pivot 532a and the head 532b of the hinge 532. In the flower 500, the distance between the pivot 528a and the head 528b of the hinge 528 can be greater than the distance between the pivot 530a and the head 530b of the hinge 530, which can be greater than the distance between the pivot 532a and the head 532b of the hinge 532. As the shuttle 526 ascends, the heads 528b, 530b and 532b can each be rotated upwardly therewith over a substantially equal distance. Over that distance, the angle of rotation of the hinge 532 can be greater than the angle of rotation of the hinge 530, which can be greater than the angle of rotation of the hinge 528. By this difference in the angles of rotation among the hinges 528, 530 and 532 during and following the ascent of the shuttle 526, the petals 515, 516 and 517 can be opened to differing degrees and, as the duration of the opening of the petals 515, 516 and 517 can be substantially equal over said differing degrees, at differing rates. The configurations of the couplings of at least two petals of the corolla 508 can differ in any respect. Thus, each petal 515, 516 and 517 can be independently opened to any degree and at any rate, without limitation.

With reference to FIGS. 20-25, an operation of the sleeve 511 of the flower 500 is shown in greater detail.

The flower 500 can be reset for a substantially immediate reuse by pulling downwardly on the cord 544 to thereby enable a replacement of the pellet 543. This can be accomplished manually (following removal of the opened flower 500 from the vase 518) by holding the stem 510 of the opened flower 500 in one hand and the sleeve 511 in the ready state in another hand and subsequently manually pulling downwardly on the sleeve 511 relative to the stem 510 until the key 546 generally approaches the lower end of the track 545b, at which point the sleeve 511 can be manually rotated about the post 545 whereby the key 546 can be aligned with the lock 545c. Manual handing of the sleeve 511 can thus be removed and the sleeve 511 can remain locked in the retracted state.

Manually pulling downwardly on the sleeve 511 relative to the stem 510 of the opened flower 500 can, via the cord 544, downwardly move the clip 541 to the generally lowest vertical position thereof, downwardly move the plunger 524 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 514 and the gift 513, to the generally lowest vertical position thereof, compress the compensation spring 525, compress the shuttle spring 533, compress the plunger spring 537, downwardly move the shuttle 526 to the generally lowest vertical position thereof and close the petals 515, 516 and 517.

With the sleeve 511 in the retracted state, a new pellet 543 can be manually inserted through the inlet 510a and into the chamber 542. The sleeve 511 can then be manually rotated about the post 545 until the key 546 is no longer aligned with the lock 545c. The sleeve 511 can then be manually pushed upwardly, thereby returning the sleeve 511 to the ready state, which can cause a portion of the cord 544 to gather into the space within the sleeve 511 between the lower end of the post 545 and the upper end of the cap 512. The cap 512 can comprise an outlet 512a which can aid in drainage between uses. Thus, the flower 500 can be manually prepared for reuse with substantial ease and convenience in a reset operation having a duration of about 5 seconds. In other embodiments, the duration of the reset operation can be greater than or less than 5 seconds.

The flower 500 can comprise other types of cords 544 or the cord 544 in other positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the cord 544 can comprise an outwardly extended rigid protrusion durably attached to the clip 541. Said protrusion can be extended radially through a substantially oblong vertical aperture in the guide 540 and further through a similar aperture in the stem 510, so that the clip 541 can be similarly manipulated from outside of the stem 510 without the use of the sleeve 511.

The energy required to realize the animation activities of the flower 500 can be derived from the manual retraction of the cord 544 via the sleeve 511 and can be stored in the springs 525, 533 and 537 for an indefinite amount of time. Following the exposure of the flower 500 to the liquid 519, the animation activities of the flower 500, which can include the opening of the corolla 508 and the ascent and rotation of the gift 513, can proceed automatically, powered by the springs 525, 533 and 537 while expending said energy.

In the example embodiment of FIGS. 26-29, a coupling of the gift 513 to the holder 514 is shown in greater detail.

A knob 521b of the clasp 521 can slide along a vertical channel 514b within the holder 514. Manually pulling the gift 513 upwardly relative to the holder 514 can lift the clasp 521 upwardly and slide the knob 521b out of the channel 514b. A subsequent manual rotation of the gift 513 can rotate the clasp 521 and move the knob 521b onto a ledge 514a within the holder 514. The bias force of the band 522 can thus be removed from the gift 513 upon the upper annulus of the holder 514 and transferred instead to the knob 521b upon the ledge 514a, and the gift 513 can then be readily unhooked from under the upper arm 521a of the clasp 521 and removed from the flower 500.

The gift 513 can be replaceably restored to the flower 500 by simply reversing the steps given above, as follows: the gift 513 can be manually hooked under the upper arm 521a of the clasp 521, rotated with the clasp 521 so that the knob 521b aligns with the channel 514b, and drawn downwardly upon the manual release thereof by the bias force of the band 522 until the gift 513 is pressingly held against the upper annulus of the holder 514.

The holder 514, clasp 521 and band 522 can comprise a presentation platform configured to removably attach the gift 513 to the flower 500. For a gift 513 that has the shape of a ring, as in a piece of jewelry, the upper arm 521a of the clasp 521 can hook the ring-shaped gift 513 between the points of contact of the ring-shaped gift 513 with the upper annulus of the holder 514 and apply a downward bias force thereon. Thus, the presentation platform can advantageously hold the gift 513 in a substantially upright position while leaving visible a substantial portion of the gift 513.

The flower 500 can comprise other types of bands 522 or the band 522 in other positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the band 522 can comprise a helically coiled resilient extension spring attached to and disposed vertically between the lower arm 521c of the clasp 521 and a durable securement feature of the holder 514 (similar to the peg 514d) positioned generally towards the center of the lower end of the holder 514. The holder 514 can comprise any height and/or comprise any additional feature, such as a tube extended downwardly into an accommodating recess at the upper end of the plunger 524, to thereby accommodate the band 522 as a vertically disposed extension spring.

FIGS. 30-58 illustrate an example embodiment of an animated artificial flower device 600.

The flower 600, shown closed in FIGS. 30 and 32, and opened in FIGS. 31 and 33, preferably includes a plurality of simulated petals 615, 616 and 617 in a plurality of layers that define a corolla 608. In one embodiment, an outer layer comprising 3 of the petals 617 can overlap a middle layer comprising 3 of the petals 616, which can further overlap an inner layer comprising 3 of the petals 615. Other embodiments can comprise a fewer or a greater number of petals per layer, variations in the number of petals per layer among the layers, and/or a fewer or a greater number of layers of petals. For example, one embodiment can comprise 4 petals per layer and 1 layer of petals. Another embodiment can comprise 2 petals per layer and 12 layers of petals. Another embodiment can comprise 5 petals on one layer and 4 petals on another layer. There is no limitation to the number of petals per layer and layers of petals that can be provided by the embodiments disclosed herein.

The flower 600 preferably includes a generally cylindrical stem 610, which can comprise a hollow tube. The corolla 608 can be attached to the stem 610 by a receptacle 609. The stem 610 can be fully straight or comprise bends or curves. The stem 610 can include a notch 610a wherein a button 641b can be engaged. The flower 600 can comprise a retractable generally cylindrical sleeve 611 to facilitate restoring the opened flower 600 to the closed state whereby the flower 600 can be used again. The outside diameter of the sleeve 611 can be substantially equal to the outside diameter of the stem 610. An end cap 612 can be durably attached to the lower end of the sleeve 611.

Certain embodiments of the flower 600 can closely resemble the shape and proportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower. In other embodiments, the shape and proportions of the flower 600 can vary considerably from those customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower and are not limited by the invention.

The flower 600 can include, or receive for inclusion, a surprise gift 613, such as a jeweled ring. The gift 613 can be secured to a generally cylindrical holder 614.

The flower 600 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 34-58.

The closed corolla 608 can be configured to provide a hidden compartment 620 wherein the gift 613 can be concealed. The compartment 620 can be exposed and the gift 613 revealed as the corolla 608 opens. The holder 614 can be configured to removably hold the gift 613. The gift 613 can be pressingly held against an upper annulus of the holder 614 under an upper arm 621a of a clasp 621. The clasp 621 can have a generally “C” shape to thereby comprise the properties of a hook. The clasp 621 can be subject to a downwards bias force which can be applied by a resilient elastic band 622. The band 622 can be replaceably anchored around a peg 614d of the holder 614 and threaded through an opening 614c of the holder 614 and over a lower arm 621c of the clasp 621. The flower 600 can include a generally cylindrical plunger 624. The holder 614 can be durably attached to the upper end of the plunger 624.

The plunger 624 can be movably disposed within the stem 610 and upwardly extensible relative to the corolla 608. A vertical motion of the plunger 624 can be controlled by a line 623. The line 623 can comprise a knot 623a at the upper end thereof whereby the line 623 can be securely coupled to the plunger 624. The line 623 can be disposed through a passage 624b through the general center of the plunger 624. The diameter of the line 623 can be less than the diameter of the passage 624b so that the passage 624b can also vent air.

A compensation spring 625, which can be a helically coiled resilient compression spring, can be slidably disposed around the plunger 624 to provide a separating bias force between the holder 614 and a generally cylindrical shuttle 626. The shuttle 626 can be slidably disposed around the plunger 624 and within a series of hinge frames 627, 629, 631 and the receptacle 609.

Each petal 615, 616 and 617 of the flower 600 can be durably attached to an outwardly extended mounting tab of a hinge 628, 630 and 632. Each hinge 628, 630 and 632 can comprise a pivot 628a, 630a and 632a about which each hinge 628, 630 and 632 can rotate. Each hinge 628, 630 and 632 can comprise a head 628b, 630b and 632b to thereby engage the shuttle 626 via a plurality of sockets 626a of the shuttle 626.

The hinge frames 627, 629, 631 and the receptacle 609 can comprise a set of clearance spaces to accommodate the hinges 628, 630 and 632 therein. The hinge frames 627, 629, 631 and the receptacle 609 can furthermore comprise a set of integral bearings to rotatably hold the hinges 628, 630 and 632 therein by the pivots 628a, 630a and 632a thereof. The clearance spaces of the hinge frames 627, 629, 631 and the receptacle 609 can limit the range of rotation of each of the hinges 628, 630 and 632 and the petals 615, 616 and 617.

A shuttle spring 633, which can be a helically coiled resilient compression spring, can be slidably disposed around the stem 610 and within a pocket 609a of the receptacle 609. The shuttle spring 633 can provide a bias force to lift the shuttle 626 to thereby rotate the engaged hinges 628, 630 and 632 and open the petals 615, 616 and 617.

The flower 600 can comprise other types of shuttle springs 633 or the shuttle spring 633 in other positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the shuttle spring 633 can be a resilient flat spring, attached at one end to the upper surface of the upper hinge frame 627 and attached at the other end to a rim protruding outwardly from the upper part of the shuttle 626, thereby providing a similar bias force to lift the shuttle 626.

The plunger 624 can comprise a helical groove 624a. The groove 624a can comprise variations in the pitch, thread direction, number of turns, width and depth thereof along the course thereof. A pin 634 can be durably attached to the stem 610 and engage the groove 624a to thereby further control the motion of the plunger 624 within the stem 610. A measure of grease 635 can fill the groove 624a and can also fill a gap between the plunger 624 and the stem 610. The grease 635 can be any lubricating fluid and can comprise viscous and thixotropic properties in any degree. The grease 635 can be oil-based, polysiloxane-based, or comprise another base type. The grease 635 can also comprise other lubricating fluids, such as petroleum jelly.

The flower 600 can comprise a plunger spring 637, which can be a helically coiled resilient compression spring slidably disposed within the stem 610. An upper washer 636 can be slidably disposed within the stem 610 separating the plunger 624 from the plunger spring 637. The flower 600 can comprise a seal 639 to substantially seal the spaces within the stem 610 separated thereby against a passage of fluids while providing minimal resistance to a passage therethough of the line 623. A lower washer 638 can be disposed within the stem 610 to separate the plunger spring 637 from the seal 639. The seal 639 can be any material, such as polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene, or a type rubber, such as polychloroprene or nitrile butadiene, and can be pressingly disposed within the stem 610 and around the line 623.

The flower 600 can comprise a guide 640 which can be durably attached to the stem 610. The flower 600 can include a latch 641 which can comprise the button 641b, a generally flat backing member, and a prong 641a, which prong 641a can comprise the properties of a resilient flat spring. The latch 641 can be disposed to slide vertically within the stem 610, with said flat backing member of the latch 641 sliding against the guide 640. The guide 640 can minimize rotation of the latch 641 within the stem 610 so that the button 641b of the latch 641 can align with the notch 610a of the stem 610. Thus, at the generally lowest vertical position of the latch 641, the button 641b can engage the notch 610a. The line 623 at the lower end thereof can be durably attached to the upper part of the latch 641.

A cord 644 can be durably attached at the upper end thereof to the lower part of the latch 641. The cord 644 can run through a conduit 645a of a generally cylindrical post 645 and can be durably attached at the lower end thereof to the cap 612. The post 645 can be durably attached to the stem 610 abutting the lower end of the guide 640. The sleeve 611 can be slidably disposed over the post 645.

A key 646 can be durably attached to the sleeve 611 and can slide along a longitudinal track 645b of the post 645 to limit the extent of rotational and slidable motion of the sleeve 611. The generally lowest vertical position of the sleeve 611 can comprise a retracted position (i.e., a “retracted state”) of the sleeve 611. The sleeve 611 can be configured to hold therein a portion of the cord 644.

With continued reference to FIGS. 34-58, an operation of the flower 600 is described in greater detail.

Unless otherwise noted, the positions and motions of the various component parts of the flower 600 are described herein throughout the specification and appended claims in relation to the following component parts, which can be generally regarded as a static unit: the receptacle 609, the stem 610, the hinge frames 627, 629 and 631, the pin 634, the lower washer 638, the seal 639, the guide 640 and the post 645.

The button 641b can be engaged in the notch 610a, thereby securing the latch 641 and holding the flower 600 in the closed state, which closed state can be stable. In the closed state of the flower 600, the plunger 624 and components attached thereto, including the gift 613 and the holder 614, can be at the generally lowest vertical position thereof, the compensation spring 625 can be in a compressed state, the shuttle 626 can be at the generally lowest vertical position thereof (which generally lowest vertical position of the shuttle 626 can be configured by a clearance space within the receptacle 609 and/or the upper end of the stem 610 within the receptacle 609), the shuttle spring 633 can be in a compressed state, the plunger spring 637 can be in a compressed state, and the latch 641 can be at the generally lowest vertical position thereof. Furthermore, in the closed state of the flower 600 the sleeve 611 can be at the generally uppermost vertical position thereof (i.e., a “ready state” of the sleeve 611) and a portion of the cord 644 can be held gathered into a space within the sleeve 611 between the lower end of the post 645 and the upper end of the cap 612. In the closed state, the flower 600 can be ready to be actuated to be moved to the opened state, which actuation can be accomplished by manually pushing the button 641b to thereby release the latch 641.

Upon a manual push on the button 641b, the prong 641a can bend and the button 641b can disengage from the notch 610a. With the button 641b disengaged from the notch 610a, the latch 641 can begin to ascend by the bias force of the plunger spring 637 upon the plunger 624 applied through the line 623. As the latch 641 can begin to ascend, the position of some of the other components of the flower 600, which can be directly and/or indirectly attached thereto, can also begin to change. For example, the upper end of the cord 644 can begin to be pulled upwardly, taking up the gathered portion of the cord 644 from the space below the lower end of the post 645, the plunger 624 and the components attached thereto, including the gift 613 and the holder 614, can begin to ascend, the extent of the compression of the plunger spring 637 can begin to be reduced, and the extent of the compression of the compensation spring 625 can begin to be reduced.

However, the downward bias force that can be applied upon the shuttle 626 by the compensation spring 625, in both the compressed state and as the extent of the compression thereof can begin to diminish during the initial portion of the ascent of the plunger 624 as described above, can be greater than the upwards bias force applied upon the shuttle 626, at the generally lowest vertical position thereof, by the shuttle spring 633 in the compressed state. Thus, the position of the shuttle 626 and the extent of the compression of the shuttle spring 633 can remain unchanged during the initial portion of the ascent of the plunger 624, which can occur following the disengagement of the button 641b from the notch 610a.

The corolla 608 can remain unchanged in the closed state while the button 641b can be manually pushed and for a particular amount of time thereafter, which time can be determined by factors including the rate of the ascent of the plunger 624, the degree of compression in the compressed state of the compensation spring 625 and the shuttle spring 633, and the relationship of the properties of the springs 625 and 633. Such properties include the rate and free length of the springs 625 and 633.

For example, a compensation spring 625 having a rate of 10 g/mm (grams per millimeter) and a free length of 25 mm can provide a bias force of 150 g at a working length of 10 mm in the compressed state. A shuttle spring 633 having a rate of 10 g/mm and a free length of 35 mm can provide a bias force of 100 g at a working length of 25 mm in the compressed state. While the bias force of the compensation spring 625 is greater than or equal to the bias force of the shuttle spring 633, the shuttle 626 can remain at the generally lowest vertical position thereof and the corolla 608 can remain closed.

In the example, at an increase by 5 mm in the extension of the plunger 624, the working length of the compensation spring 625 is increased by the same amount and the bias force thereof is reduced to 100 g. At this point, the bias force of the springs 625 and 633 are equal. The bias force of the springs 625 and 633 can remain substantially equal and diminish similarly during a portion of the continued ascent of the plunger 624, which continued ascent can be accompanied by an ascent of the shuttle 626, which can open the corolla 608. For springs 625 and 633 that have a generally equal rate (grams per millimeter), the rate (millimeters per second) of the ascent of the shuttle 626 can be about one half of the rate (millimeters per second) of the ascent of the plunger 624. For springs 625 and 633 that have a substantially unequal rate, the rate of the ascent of the shuttle 626 can be substantially greater than or less than one half of the rate of the ascent of the plunger 624. Thereby, the rate of the opening of the corolla 608 can be further regulated in relation to the rate of the ascent of the plunger 624.

At a certain point during the ascent of the plunger 624, the ascent of the shuttle 636 can come to a stop (as can be determined by the configured range of rotation of the hinges 628, 630 and 632 within the hinge frames 627, 629, 631 and the receptacle 609) with the corolla 608 fully open. The plunger 624 can continue to ascend, however, which can further reduce the bias force of the compensation spring 625 to zero.

The animation activities of some of the components of the flower 600, including the shuttle 626, the hinges 628, 630 and 632, and the petals 615, 616 and 617, can be delayed. In the flower 600, the closed state of the corolla 608 can remain unchanged while the button 641b is pushed and for a subsequent particular amount of time. The corolla 608 can begin to be opened following an “animation delay time,” which can be the time expected to elapse between the time that the flower 600 is actuated and the time that the animation activities of the flower 600 begin to become readily apparent, including the opening of the corolla 608 and the revealing of the gift 613, and can be any amount of time, such as 5 seconds, 3 hours or 2 days.

Following the release of the latch 641 by the push of the button 641b, the latch 641 can ascend towards the uppermost position thereof and the cord 644 can be pulled upwardly, taking up the remaining gathered portion thereof. Moreover, at the ascent of the latch 641, the plunger 624 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 614 and the gift 613, can ascend towards the maximum extension thereof by the bias force of the plunger spring 637, the compensation spring 625 can extend to the free length thereof, the shuttle 626 can ascend by the bias force of the shuttle spring 633 (minus the opposing bias force of the compensation spring 625 that, in the course of the ascent of the plunger 624, can diminish to zero), and the hinges 628, 630 and 632 can rotate towards the maximum open position thereof, thereby moving the petals 615, 616 and 617 to the opened state, which opened state can be stable. The ascent of the plunger 624 and the gift 613 can generally coincide with and/or continue beyond the duration of the opening of the corolla 608.

The plunger 624 and the gift 613 can be upwardly extensible relative to the corolla 608, meaning that the plunger 624 and the gift 613 can ascend by any amount to any elevation relative to the corolla 608. The extent of the ascent of the plunger 624 and the gift 613 can be independent of and unrelated to any property of a mechanism used to open the corolla 608, such as the mechanism comprising the hinge frames 627, 629, 631, the receptacle 609, the shuttle spring 633, the shuttle 626, the compensation spring 625, the hinges 628, 630 and 632, and the petals 615, 616 and 617. Rather, the extent of the ascent of the plunger 624 and the gift 613 can be substantially regulated by the length of the plunger 624, the length of the stem 610, the length of the plunger spring 637, and other components of the flower 600. The plunger 524 and the gift 613 can be extended upwardly within or beyond the opened corolla 608 by 5 mm, 20 mm, 100 mm or any other distance, without limitation. The plunger 524 and the gift 613 can be extended upwardly within or beyond the opened corolla 608 by 0.2 units, 1 unit, 5.2 units or any other multiple of a unit of height of the generally cylindrical shape of the closed corolla 608, without limitation.

The stem 610, the plunger 624, the groove 624a, the pin 634 and the grease 635 of the flower 600 can be viewed as a system. This system can comprise a viscous fluid damper, or “dashpot.” The dashpot can regulate the rate of the animation activities of the flower 600, including the ascent of the plunger 624 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 614 and the gift 613. As the groove 624a can comprise a helical component, the ascent of the plunger 624 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 614 and the gift 613, can comprise a concurrent rotation about the vertical axis thereof. The rate of the ascent of the plunger 624 can be substantially regulated by the following characteristics of the dashpot: the size of the gap between the plunger 624 and the stem 610, the width, depth and pitch of the groove 624a, the width and length of the pin 634, the viscosity of the grease 635, and the magnitude of the bias force of the plunger spring 637; any of which can be varied to any degree without limitation.

The width, depth and/or pitch of the groove 624a can vary along the groove 624a such that the plunger 624 can ascend at a variable (i.e., non-uniform) rate. For example, the plunger 624 can ascend more slowly prior to the opening of the petals 615, 616 and 617 than during the opening thereof, and can then ascend more quickly following the full opening of the petals 615, 616 and 617. The duration of the animation delay time, the duration and uniformity of the rate of the opening of the corolla 608, and the duration and uniformity of the rate of the ascent of the gift 613 can thus be controlled independently. The rate of the motion of the plunger 624 during the course thereof can be non-uniform without limitation.

The flower 600 can comprise other types of dashpots or the dashpot in other positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the dashpot can comprise a cylindrical tube disposed in the space within the plunger spring 637 and durably attached at the lower end thereof to the lower washer 638. Said tube can be filled with a fluid and sealed at each end, with apertures in said seals to allow a passage therethrough of the line 623. A bead can be durably attached to the line 623 and slidably disposed within said tube. The displacement of said fluid by said bead as the bead is pulled through said tube during the animation activities of the flower 600 can provide a regulation of the rate thereof. Variations in the inside diameter of said tube can provide variations in the rate of the dashpot.

As another example of the other types of dashpots or the dashpot in other positions which the flower 600 can comprise to provide similar benefits, the dashpot can comprise an application of the grease 635 in a gap between the shuttle 626 and the hinge frames 627, 629, 631 and receptacle 609 and/or an application of the grease 635 in a gap between the pivots 628a, 630a and 632a of the hinges 628, 630 and 632 and the integral bearings of the hinge frames 627, 629, 631 and receptacle 609 in which the pivots 628a, 630a and 632a can rotate. Such a dashpot can retard the rate of the opening of the corolla 608 independently of any other factors. The duration of the opening of the corolla 608 can be less than, greater than, or equal to the duration of the ascent of the plunger 624 and gift 613. The corolla 608 can continue to open as the plunger 624 ascends and, additionally, following the full ascent thereof.

The rate of the ascent of the plunger 624 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 614 and the gift 613, can be controlled by the characteristics of the dashpot, as described above, and can be any rate, without limitation. The rate of the ascent of the plunger 624 at any position thereof can be 0.01 mm/s (millimeters per second), 250 mm/s, or any other rate. Therefore, the duration of the ascent of the plunger 624 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 614 and the gift 613, from start to finish, can be 0.1 seconds, 2 hours or any other amount of time.

The duration of the animation delay time of the flower 600 can be dependent upon and/or controlled by the rate of the ascent of the plunger 624 during an initial portion of the ascent thereof. Therefore, the duration of the animation delay time of the flower 600 can also be regulated by the characteristics of the dashpot, as described above, and can be any amount of time, without limitation. The animation delay time of the flower 600, can be 0.1 seconds, 2 hours or any other amount of time.

The rate of the opening of the corolla 608 can be dependent upon and/or controlled by the rate of the ascent of the plunger 624 during a portion of the ascent thereof. Therefore, the rate of the opening of the corolla 608 can also be regulated by the characteristics of the dashpot, as described above, and can be any rate, without limitation. The opening of the corolla 608, from start to finish, can take 0.1 seconds, 2 hours or any other amount of time.

Animation activities of the flower 600, including the opening of the corolla 608 and the lifting of the plunger 524 and the gift 613 from within the compartment 620, can occur following the push of the button 641b at a rate unrelated to and/or independent of the rate of the push of the button 641b. The duration of the transition of the corolla 608 from the stable closed state to the stable opened state can be controlled or regulated by the dashpot and can be gradual. The duration of the ascent of the plunger 624 and/or the gift 613 can be controlled or regulated by the dashpot and can be gradual.

The distance between the pivot 628a and the head 628b of the hinge 628 can be substantially unequal to the distance between the pivot 630a and the head 630b of the hinge 630, which can be substantially unequal to the distance between the pivot 632a and the head 632b of the hinge 632. In the flower 600, the distance between the pivot 628a and the head 628b of the hinge 628 can be greater than the distance between the pivot 630a and the head 630b of the hinge 630, which can be greater than the distance between the pivot 632a and the head 632b of the hinge 632. As the shuttle 626 ascends, the heads 628b, 630b and 632b can each be rotated upwardly therewith over a substantially equal distance. Over that distance, the angle of rotation of the hinge 632 can be greater than the angle of rotation of the hinge 630, which can be greater than the angle of rotation of the hinge 628. By this difference in the angles of rotation among the hinges 628, 630 and 632 during and following the ascent of the shuttle 626, the petals 615, 616 and 617 can be opened to differing degrees and, as the duration of the opening of the petals 615, 616 and 617 can be substantially equal over said differing degrees, at differing rates. The configurations of the couplings of at least two petals of the corolla 608 can differ in any respect. Thus, each petal 615, 616 and 617 can be independently opened to any degree and at any rate, without limitation.

With reference to FIGS. 49-54, an operation of the sleeve 611 of the flower 600 is shown in greater detail.

The flower 600 can be reset for a substantially immediate reuse by pulling downwardly on the cord 644 to thereby reset the latch 641. This can be accomplished manually by holding the stem 610 of the opened flower 600 in one hand and the sleeve 611 in the ready state in another hand and subsequently manually pulling downwardly on the sleeve 611 relative to the stem 610 to move the sleeve to the retracted state, whereby the button 641b can engage the notch 610a.

Manually pulling downwardly on the sleeve 611 relative to the stem 610 of the opened flower 600 can, via the cord 644, downwardly move the latch 641 to the generally lowest vertical position thereof, downwardly move the plunger 624 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 614 and the gift 613, to the generally lowest vertical position thereof, compress the compensation spring 625, compress the shuttle spring 633, compress the plunger spring 637, downwardly move the shuttle 626 to the generally lowest vertical position thereof and close the petals 615, 616 and 617.

Following the engagement of the button 641b with the notch 610a, the sleeve 611 can be manually pushed upwardly, thereby returning the sleeve 611 to the ready state, which can cause a portion of the cord 644 to gather into the space within the sleeve 611 between the lower end of the post 645 and the upper end of the cap 612. Thus, the flower 600 can be manually prepared for reuse with substantial ease and convenience in a reset operation having a duration of about 5 seconds. In other embodiments, the duration of the reset operation can be greater than or less than 5 seconds.

The flower 600 can comprise other types of cords 644 or the cord 644 in other positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the cord 644 can comprise an outwardly extended rigid protrusion durably attached to the latch 641. Said protrusion can be extended radially through a substantially oblong vertical aperture in the guide 640 and further through a similar aperture in the stem 610, so that the latch 641 can be similarly manipulated from outside of the stem 610 without the use of the sleeve 611.

The energy required to realize the animation activities of the flower 600 can be derived from the manual retraction of the cord 644 via the sleeve 611 and can be stored in the springs 625, 633 and 637 for an indefinite amount of time. Following the release of the latch 641, the animation activities of the flower 600, which can include the opening of the corolla 608 and the ascent and rotation of the gift 613, can proceed automatically, powered by the springs 625, 633 and 637 while expending said energy.

In the example embodiment of FIGS. 55-58, a coupling of the gift 613 to the holder 614 is shown in greater detail.

A knob 621b of the clasp 621 can slide along a vertical channel 614b within the holder 614. Manually pulling the gift 613 upwardly relative to the holder 614 can lift the clasp 621 upwardly and slide the knob 621b out of the channel 614b. A subsequent manual rotation of the gift 613 can rotate the clasp 621 and move the knob 621b onto a ledge 614a within the holder 614. The bias force of the band 622 can thus be removed from the gift 613 upon the upper annulus of the holder 614 and transferred instead to the knob 621b upon the ledge 614a, and the gift 613 can then be readily unhooked from under the upper arm 621a of the clasp 621 and removed from the flower 600.

The gift 613 can be replaceably restored to the flower 600 by simply reversing the steps given above, as follows: the gift 613 can be manually hooked under the upper arm 621a of the clasp 621, rotated with the clasp 621 so that the knob 621b aligns with the channel 614b, and drawn downwardly upon the manual release thereof by the bias force of the band 622 until the gift 613 is pressingly held against the upper annulus of the holder 614.

The holder 614, clasp 621 and band 622 can comprise a presentation platform configured to removably attach the gift 613 to the flower 600. For a gift 613 that has the shape of a ring, as in a piece of jewelry, the upper arm 621a of the clasp 621 can hook the ring-shaped gift 613 between the points of contact of the ring-shaped gift 613 with the upper annulus of the holder 614 and apply a downward bias force thereon. Thus, the presentation platform can advantageously hold the gift 613 in a substantially upright position while leaving visible a substantial portion of the gift 613.

The flower 600 can comprise other types of bands 622 or the band 622 in other positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the band 622 can comprise a helically coiled resilient extension spring attached to and disposed vertically between the lower arm 621c of the clasp 621 and a durable securement feature of the holder 614 (similar to the peg 614d) positioned generally towards the center of the lower end of the holder 614. The holder 614 can comprise any height and/or comprise any additional feature, such as a tube extended downwardly into an accommodating recess at the upper end of the plunger 624, to thereby accommodate the band 622 as a vertically disposed extension spring.

CONCLUSION

While the foregoing detailed description discloses several embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that this disclosure is illustrative only and is not limiting of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the specific configurations and operations disclosed can differ from those described above, and that the methods described herein can be used in contexts other than artificial flowers.

Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of the inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments can be made and still fall within the scope of one or more of the inventions. For example, steps of the methods disclosed herein can be performed in an order other than that disclosed in the illustrated embodiments, and additional, fewer, or different steps may be performed and still fall within the scope of the inventions. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

ANIMATED ARTIFICIAL FLOWER

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Applications (1)