Patent Application
20240389770
This disclosure relates generally to vases and lids used in plant arrangements. More specifically and without limitation, this disclosure relates to biodegradable containers for plant arrangements.
Floral arrangements have long been used to decorate a variety of spaces and events. In order to create floral arrangements, florists need to position flowers and/or greenery in a bouquet in certain configurations, often within a container, such as a vase or pot. To craft arrangements, florists use a variety of tools to ensure that flowers and/or greenery remain in their intended position within the container.
In some instances, florists have employed devices such as “frogs” to keep flowers and/or greenery in their intended place. Frogs are spiked structures positioned at the bottom of a vase or other container used to hold flowers and/or greenery. The spikes protrude upward such that they can be inserted into the stems of the plants, effectively fixing or otherwise establishing the position of the plant within the container. However, frogs can be expensive, unwieldy, and are not configured for one-time use. Florists also use floral foam and/or tape for structure and stabilization of arrangements. Both items are non-recyclable, non-compostable, and non-biodegradable.
As such, for all these reasons existing plant display systems are too difficult to set up, they are too time-consuming to set up and they are too easy to improperly set-up.
Therefore, for all the reasons stated above, and the reasons stated below, there is a need in the art for a plant display system that improves upon the state of the art.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that provides improved functionality over prior art systems.
Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that provides improved features over prior art systems.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that is relatively inexpensive.
Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that is easy to use.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that is biodegradable.
Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that is strong and robust.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that can be used in many applications.
Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that improves efficiency.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that provides unique functionality.
Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that can hold water while maintaining structural integrity.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that is compact in size.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a plant display system that is high quality.
These and other objects, features, or advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the specification, figures and claims.
In one or more arrangements, a plant display system is presented having a container, a lid placed over the container or inserted into the container, and one or more plants arranged in a display. The lid has one or more tension openings or position openings designed to allow the plant to be inserted into the container and maintain the position of the plant for a period of time or during transport. The lid and container may be made out of biodegradable material and/or compostable material.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the principles and scope of the invention. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures. For instance, although aspects and features may be illustrated in or described with reference to certain figures or embodiments, it will be appreciated that features from one figure or embodiment may be combined with features of another figure or embodiment even though the combination is not explicitly shown or explicitly described as a combination. In the depicted embodiments, like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various drawings.
It should be understood that any advantages and/or improvements discussed herein may not be provided by various disclosed embodiments, or implementations thereof. The contemplated embodiments are not so limited and should not be interpreted as being restricted to embodiments which provide such advantages or improvements. Similarly, it should be understood that various embodiments may not address all or any objects of the disclosure or objects of the invention that may be described herein. The contemplated embodiments are not so limited and should not be interpreted as being restricted to embodiments which address such objects of the disclosure or invention. Furthermore, although some disclosed embodiments may be described relative to specific materials, embodiments are not limited to the specific materials or apparatuses but only to their specific characteristics and capabilities and other materials and apparatuses can be substituted as is well understood by those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.
It is to be understood that the terms such as “left, right, top, bottom, front, back, side, height, length, width, upper, lower, interior, exterior, inner, outer, and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.
As used herein, the term “or” includes one or more of the associated listed items, such that “A or B” means “either A or B”. As used herein, the term “and” includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, such that “A and B” means “A as well as B.” The use of “and/or” includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, such that “A and/or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A as well as B,” unless it is clearly indicated that only a single item, subgroup of items, or all items are present. The use of “etc.” is defined as “et cetera” and indicates the inclusion of all other elements belonging to the same group of the preceding items, in any “and/or” combination(s).
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include both the singular and plural forms, unless the language explicitly indicates otherwise. Indefinite articles like “a” and “an” introduce or refer to any modified term, both previously-introduced and not, while definite articles like “the” refer to a same previously-introduced term; as such, it is understood that “a” or “an” modify items that are permitted to be previously-introduced or new, while definite articles modify an item that is the same as immediately previously presented. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, characteristics, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not themselves preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, characteristics, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, unless expressly indicated otherwise. For example, if an embodiment of a system is described as comprising an article, it is understood the system is not limited to a single instance of the article unless expressly indicated otherwise, even if elsewhere another embodiment of the system is described as comprising a plurality of articles.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” “mated,” “attached,” “fixed,” etc. to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, and/or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected,” “directly coupled,” “directly engaged” etc. to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” “engaged” versus “directly engaged,” etc.). Similarly, a term such as “operatively”, such as when used as “operatively connected” or “operatively engaged” is to be interpreted as connected or engaged, respectively, in any manner that facilitates operation, which may include being directly connected, indirectly connected, electronically connected, wirelessly connected or connected by any other manner, method or means that facilitates desired operation. Similarly, a term such as “communicatively connected” includes all variations of information exchange and routing between two electronic devices, including intermediary devices, networks, etc., connected wirelessly or not. Similarly, “connected” or other similar language particularly for electronic components is intended to mean connected by any means, either directly or indirectly, wired and/or wirelessly, such that electricity and/or information may be transmitted between the components.
It will be understood that, although the ordinal terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited to any order by these terms unless specifically stated as such. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another; where there are “second” or higher ordinals, there merely must be a number of elements, without necessarily any difference or other relationship. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments or methods.
Similarly, the structures and operations discussed herein may occur out of the order described and/or noted in the figures. For example, two operations and/or figures shown in succession may in fact be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Similarly, individual operations within example methods described below may be executed repetitively, individually or sequentially, to provide looping or other series of operations aside from single operations described below. It should be presumed that any embodiment or method having features and functionality described below, in any workable combination, falls within the scope of example embodiments.
As used herein, various disclosed embodiments may be primarily described in the context of plant display arrangements. However, the embodiments are not so limited. It is appreciated that the embodiments may be adapted for use in various other applications, which may be improved by the disclosed structures, arrangements and/or methods. The system is merely shown and described as being used in the context of plant display arrangements for ease of description and as one of countless examples.
With reference to the figures, a plant display system 10 (or simply system 10) is presented. Plant display system 10 is formed of any suitable size, shape and design and is configured to facilitate arranging plants and maintaining the placement of plants. In the arrangement shown, as one example, system 10 includes a lid assembly 12, a container assembly 14, and a plant arrangement 16 (also referred to as display arrangement 16) among other components.
Container Assembly 14 (or simply container 14) is formed of any suitable size, shape and design and is configured to facilitate holding a plant arrangement in position. In the arrangement shown, as one example, container 14 includes a top end 70, a bottom end 86, a rim 76, one or more side walls 84, an interior 94, and an exterior 96 among other components. Container 14 has a shape 100, such as a cylindrical shape 100 with an open top end 70. In one or more arrangements the diameter or length and width of the top end may be larger than the diameter or length and width of the bottom end. In other arrangements, the length and width or diameter of the top end may be smaller than the length and width or diameter of the bottom end. The shape 100 of the container 14 may be designed to fit in a cup holder for transport. In other arrangements, the shape 100 of container 14 may be square, cubed, rectangular, oval, bouquet, fluted, bud, bowl, trumpet, urn, pitcher, jar, mason jar, beaker, compote, sculpture, pedestal, bulb, abstract, or any other suitable size, shape 100, and design to hold a plant arrangement.
Top end 70 is formed of any suitable size, shape and design and is configured to facilitate holding a plant arrangement in position. In one or more arrangements for example, the top end 70 of the container 14 may have at least one opening 82 configured to receive the one or more plants. Opening 82 is formed of any suitable size, shape and design and is configured to facilitate holding a plant arrangement in position.
In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example, opening 82 may be the entire top end 70 of the container 14 and surrounded by rim 76. The top end may have a diameter of 72 or length 72 and width 74 to facilitate the insertion of the one or more plants into container 14. If the one or more plants have larger stems 112 or if there are numerous plants 110 in the arrangement the diameter 72, length 72 or width 74 of the container 14 may need to be larger. If plants 110 have smaller stems 112 or there are less plants 110 in the arrangement the diameter 72, length 72, or width 74 may be smaller. Material 98 of the container 14 is designed to maintain a shape of opening 82 to maintain the position of the plants or maintain the diameter 104 or length 104 of opening 82 when container 14 is exposed to various elements, including water or soil. However, the arrangements are not so limited. Rather it is understood that in some various arrangements the top end may have a plurality of openings surrounded by a top surface 104 of container 14 may have multiple top ends if the shape of the container 14 is abstract.
In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example, top end 70 has a rim 76 that is formed of any suitable size, shape and design to maintain a shape of the top end 70 or to provide structural stability to container 14. Rim 76 surrounds the exterior 96 of top end 70. In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example, Rim 76 surrounds an open top end 70. Rim 76 may have a connection member 78 configured to secure lid 12 to container 14. The connection member 78 may include a lip, an adhesive, a screw top, a peel seal film, a snap on, a friction fit, or formed of any other design, shape or size, suitable to facilitate a connection between container 14 and lid 12. For example, connection member 78, may be a sealing member 80 to prevent water from leaking out of container 14. Connection member 78 may allow the lid 12 to be removeable. However, the arrangements are not so limited. Rather it is understood that in some various arrangements the top end may not have a rim, or each of the openings 82 may have a rim.
In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example, container 14 has one or more sidewalls 84 formed of any suitable size, shape, and design to hold the one or more plants inserted into container 14 or to hold water, other liquids, or other materials, within container 14. The one or more sidewalls 84 may be made of a material 98 designed to maintain a structure or shape 100 of the container 14. In one or more of the arrangements, as shown, for example, the container 14 has one cylindrical sidewall 84 forming an exterior of the container 96. In other arrangements, for example, container 14 may have a plurality of sidewalls such as a pair of opposing sidewalls to form the exterior of the container 96 and the shape 100 of the container 14. The one or more sidewalls 96 may have one or more pockets 108 (not shown) configured to hold one or more objects inside the container 14. For example, pocket 108 may be configured to hold plant food to length a lifespan of the plant display, where a user can remove the plant food from the pocket and pour the plant food into container 14. The pocket may store fertilizer or other biological materials that may disintegrate into the interior 94 of the container 14 when water, soil, or other materials or liquids are placed in the container to extend the lifetime of the plant display. However, the arrangements are not so limited. Rather it is understood that in some various arrangements container 14 may have numerous sidewalls, or various pockets to maintain or extend the lifetime of the plant display or maintain the structure of container 14.
In one or more arrangements container 14 has a bottom end 86 formed of any suitable size, shape, and design to hold plants, liquids and other objects in container 14. In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example, the bottom end 86 is a closed end has an interior surface 88 (not shown) and an exterior surface 90 (not shown) to contain the one or more plant stems 112, liquid, and other material, in container 14. In other arrangements, for example, bottom end 86 may have one or more openings to facilitate drainage of liquid within container 14. For example, if container 14 contains soil, the one or more openings facilitate proper drainage of water to prevent waterlogging extending the lifetime of the plants. The exterior surface 90 of bottom end 86 may have one or more recesses 92 (not shown) to stabilize container 14 when container 14 is placed on a surface. For example, if liquid, soil, or one or more stems 112, push the bottom end 86 down, creating a convex surface, recess 92 may be deep enough that the convex surface of the bottom end does not touch a surface container 14 is placed on. However, the arrangements are not so limited. Rather it is understood that in some various arrangements the bottom end may not have a recess or the plurality of openings or perforations, or bottom end 86 may have a plurality of recesses and/or openings to stabilize container 14 and extend a lifespan of the plant arrangement.
The interior of container 94 is formed of any suitable size, shape, and design to hold plants 110, liquids and other objects in container 14. In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example, interior 88 is hollow to allow for various arrangements of plants 110 while maintaining a structure or shape of container 14. In other arrangements, interior 94 may be broken into various compartments 130 by insert 102 (not shown) to maintain the placement of one or more plants 110 in a plant arrangement 16. For example, if a top 114 of the one or more plants needs to be on a left of plant arrangement 16, insert 102 may be used to place stem 112 on a left side of the insert. If the top 114 of one or more plants 110 is on the rights side of the display 16, then the stem 112 may be placed on the right side of insert 102. or if the insert is lower than the height 106 of the container 14, the one or more stems 110 may be inserted to the right of insert 102 to lean left. In one or more arrangements, interior 94 may have a coating to maintain the shape 100 of container 14 when the container 14 is exposed to water, soil, liquid, or the elements or to prevent container 14 from biodegrading for a length of time. In other arrangements interior 94 may not have a coating. In one or more arrangements, interior 94 may hold between 16 oz. to 32 oz. of liquid or other material, in other arrangements it may hold more water or less liquid or other material. However, the arrangements are not so limited. Rather it is understood that in some various arrangements interior 94 may not be hollow or have a plurality of inserts dividing the container 14 into three or more compartments to facilitate the maintenance of the placement of plants in the display.
Lid Assembly 12 (or lid 12) is formed of any suitable size, shape and design and is configured to facilitate placement and maintenance of the placement of plants 110 in plant arrangement 16 of system 10. The shape of lid 60 may be configured to fit over the top end 82 of container 14. In other arrangements, lid 12 may be larger than the top end of container 14, fit only partially over the top end of container 14, or be shaped to be inserted into an interior of the container 14. In the arrangement shown, as one example, lid 12 includes a lid cover 20 and an edge 38 among other components. In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example, lid assembly 12 is placed over the top end 70 of container 14. In other arrangements, lid assembly 12 may be inserted into interior 94 of container 14.
Lid cover 20 is formed of any suitable size, shape and design and is configured to facilitate the placement of plants in a display arrangement 16 and maintain the position of the plants in the display arrangement for a length of time or during transport. Lid cover 20 has a top surface 24 and a bottom surface 26. Lid cover 20 has a one or more tension openings 28 to assist users in creating plant display arrangements by ensuring the plants 110 remain in their intended place in the arrangement as the plants 110 extend out of the container 14 through position openings 30 or the tension openings 28. In some arrangements, lid cover 20 is designed to maintain the position of 10 to 25 stems 112. In other arrangements, lid cover 20 is designed to maintain the position of more than 25 stems or less than 10 stems.
Tension openings are formed of any suitable size, shape and design and is configured to facilitate the placement of plants in a display arrangement 16 and maintain the position of the plants in the display arrangement for a length of time or during transport. Tension openings are configured to provide a tension force to the lid cover to maintain a position of the plants. Tension openings may be slits, holes, openings or any other design, shape configured to provide a tension force. In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example tension openings 28 may be slits that divide lid cover 20 into sections, such as four lid sections 36 The lid sections 36 may be defined by the tension openings 28. Tension openings 28 provide a tension force to maintain the position of the plants 110 in the lid 12 and in the container 14. However, the arrangements are not so limited. Rather it is understood that in some various arrangements, lid cover 20 may have configurations of the lid section 36 to provide different levels of resistance or tension force to plants passing therethrough. For example, larger tension openings 28 result in longer separate lid sections 36, which results in less tension when the lid sections are urged downward. Thus, the smaller the lid sections 36 have greater tension force as they are urged downward in comparison to the lid sections 36 such that the short lid sections 36 provide greater upward and radial force that provide greater support to any plant positioned therebetween in comparison to the larger lid sections. Further, a greater number of tension openings 28 and thus a greater number of lid sections 36 also results in less tension when the lid sections 36 are urged downward. That is, lid implementations with a greater number of lid sections 36 offer a greater degree of flexibility of said lid sections 36 in comparison to lids with fewer numbers of lid sections. In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example, lid cover 20 may have four tension openings 28 spanning the diameter of the lid 50. Each tension opening 28 intersects at the center of the lid cover 20. Each tension opening 28 can be the approximate diameter of the lid cover 50. Alternatively, each tension opening 28 can have a length of approximately 1 inch to approximately 12 inches. The length of each tension opening 28 can be longer or shorter depending on the diameter of the lid 50.
Lid cover 20 may have position openings formed of any suitable size, shape and design and is configured to facilitate the insertion of plants 110 through lid cover 20. In one or more of the arrangements, as shown, for example, lid cover has position openings 30. Position openings 30, may also be tension openings 28. Position openings 30 can be configured on the lid cover 20 in any number of different configurations with any number of position openings 30 in any number of patterns. Each position opening 30 can be circular. In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example, there is a central position opening 30 disposed in substantially the middle of the lid cover 20 with several position openings 30 disposed radially around the central position opening 30. The diameter of each position opening 32 could range approximately from 0.5 to 4 inches in diameter or be larger or smaller. Each position opening 30 can be spaced a length 34 away from another position opening 30 such as from ¼ inches to 6 inches away. The diameter of each position opening 32 can be larger or smaller to accommodate for different plant arrangement configurations. The diameter of each position opening 30 can also be larger or smaller based on the length of the lid diameter 50. The length 34 between each position opening 30 can vary as well, depending on the diameter of the lid 50. In other arrangements, as shown, for example, the plurality of position openings 30 have a variety of triangular and square shapes. The number and specific shape of the various square-shaped and triangle-shaped position openings 30 defined in the lid cover 20 can vary. In another arrangement, as shown, for example the four-square position openings 30 form the shape of a cross, with the four triangular position openings 30 are defined between the points of each end of the cross. In some arrangements position openings 30 may intersect tension openings 28. Alternatively, any number of different patterns, shapes, styles, or design of position openings 30 can be defined in the lid cover 20 such that the plants or flowers disposed therethrough can be easily positioned and retained in a desired arrangement.
Edge 38 is formed of any suitable size, shape, and design to preserve the structure of lid 12. In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example edge 38 has an exterior 40, an interior 42, a top part 66, a bottom part 68, and a connection member 62.
In one or more arrangements shown, edge 38 has a top recess 44, creating a lip 48 surrounding lid cover 20 to prevent water from spilling out of system 10. Top recess 44 may be the same shape as the lid cover 20. In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example edge 38 may have a bottom recess configured to fit over the top end 82 of the container 14 to secure lid 12 to container 14. Top recess 44 and bottom recess 46 may be any suitable size, shape or design to facilitate securing the lid 12 to the container 14 or to prevent liquid from spilling out of the cover 20.
In one or more arrangements, as shown, for example edge 38 may have a connection member 62 configured to secure lid 12 to top end 82 of container 14 or to an interior 94 of the container 14. The connection member 62 may be a sealing member 64 to prevent liquid from leaking out of container 14. The connection member 62 may be on the interior 42 of the edge to secure lid 12 to the top end 82 of the container 14. In some arrangements, for example, connection member 62 may be on the exterior 40 of the edge configured to secure lid 12 to an interior 94 of container 14. For example, lid 12 may be placed below the top end 70 of the container 14. In other arrangements, edge 38 may have a connection member 62 on the exterior 40 and on the interior 42. The connection member 62 may include a lip, an adhesive, a screw top, a peel seal film, a snap on, a friction fit, or formed of any other design, shape or size, suitable to facilitate a connection between container 14 and lid 12.
Material 58 of the lid 12 and material 98 of the container 14 can be made of a variety of biodegradable materials and/or compostable materials. In some examples, the container 14 and lid can be made of made of various cellulose or other plant-based or plant-derived materials including but not limited to, for example, vegetables, seaweed, used coffee grounds, eggshell, straw, pine, tea bags, wood ash, nut shells, bagasse, cork, poly lactic acid, cotton, flax, wood chips, wood, textile fibers, peanuts, rice, and/or coco shells. In certain exemplary implementations, the biodegradable material can be any compostable material. Composting material may include Fruit and vegetable scraps, dry leaves, grass clippings, plant stalks and twigs, coffee grounds, paper filters, paper, brown bags, tea bags, cardboard, eggshells, untreated wood. Additional biodegradable materials, such as plant-based dyes, can be incorporated into the color of the container 14 and lid 12.
In some various arrangement, one or more biodegradable materials and/or compostable material may be pressed or otherwise formed into a cardboard, fiberboard, chipboard, particleboard, laminate, composite and/or any other form. In some various arrangements, one or more biodegradable materials may be held together by a suitable biodegradable binding material.
In some various arrangements, various different binding material may be utilized to hold biodegradable materials and/or compostable materials together to retain the form of container 14 and/or lid 12 including but not limited to, for example, biodegradable bioplastics (e.g., PLA), waxes, glues, starches, gelatin, or any other method and/or means for binding biodegradable materials together.
In one or more arrangements, material 58/98 may be designed to biodegrade or compose within a time period such as one year or shorter or longer than one year. Lid 12 and/or container 14 may be customized with labels, stickers or any other decorative elements or colors. These elements may be biodegradable. The material may be lightweight such as lighter than glass. The material may also be opaque to prevent a user from seeing interior 94 of the containers 14. In other arrangements, the lid may be made of biodegradable material and/or compostable material and the container 14 may be made of non-biodegradable material and/or non-compostable material, such as glass, plastic, metals and other materials. In one or more arrangements, for example, the material of the lid 12 or the container 14 does not need to be cleaned prior to use, in other arrangements it may need to be cleaned prior to use. In one or more arrangements, material 58/98 has a shelf life of 2 years or the material 58/98 has a shelf life of less than two years or more than two years.
Conventionally, disposable containers design to hold liquids (e.g., paper cups) are coated with a plastics resin or polyethylene lining in order to retain liquid and prevent leaking even for a short period of time. However, such materials are non-biodegradable and/or non-compostable and contribute significantly to the world's plastic waste products. Through experimentation and careful observation, it has been surprisingly discovered that the container 14 made from biodegradable materials and/or compostable materials is capable of holding water or other liquids for an extended period of time without such plastics resin or polyethylene lining. In one or more arrangements, for example, material 98 of the container 14 is designed to hold water or other liquids for two weeks, in other arrangements, the material is designed to hold water for more or less than two weeks. Material 98 may, for example, be designed to hold water, liquids or other material while maintaining the shape 100 of container 14 in various temperatures, such as between 35° F. to 100° F. or below 35° F. or above 100° F. Lid material 58, in one or more arrangements, for example, may be designed to be partially or completely submersed for a period of time while maintaining the shape of the lid. For example, material 58 may be designed to be submersed for two weeks.
However, the arrangements are not so limited. Rather, it is contemplated that in some various arrangements, an interior surface and/or exterior surface of container 14 may be coated with a compostable and/or biodegradable water-resistant material (not shown) to extend the time period that container 14 is able to hold water or other liquids while maintaining the shape 100 of container 14. In some various arrangements, such water-resistant materials may include but are not limited to, for example, bioplastics (e.g., PLA), waxes, glues, starches, gelatin, oils or any other method and/or means for providing a biodegradable coating that provides a water barrier for a period of time.
Additionally or alternatively, in some various arrangements, materials of container 14 or a coating thereon may include one or more preservative and/or nutrients known in the art for use with cut flowers or plants to extend their lifespan. For example, in some arrangements, a preservative/nutrients in the coating or materials of container 14 may slowly dissolve into water held within the container over time and is then taken up by the plants 110 within the container 14.
In use, a user may place the lid 12 on top of container 14 or insert lid 12 into container 14. The user can insert the stems 112 of a plant 110 into the positioning opening 30. The user can then adjust the plant's 110 height and/or angle to a desired position. Plant 110 then passes through position opening 12 such that its stems are enclosed within container 14 beneath the lid 12. Use of a lid 12 can prolong the life of the plants 110 within the container 14, as the lid 12 prevents oxygen from interacting with the water. This prevents the growth of bacteria in the water, which would otherwise diminish the longevity of the plants.
When a plant 110 is inserted through the position openings 30 as well as a tension opening 28, lid sections 36 are urged downward into the container 14 creating a larger opening 28 for a plant 110 to pass therethrough such that a stem 112 of a plant 110 is housed in the vase while the separate lid sections 36 are tensioned as the lid sections 36 are urged downward such that the lid sections 36 provide upward support to the stem/plant. In other words, the lid section 36 becomes increasingly tensioned as they are urged downward such that the upward force on each lid section 36 increases as it is urged downward.
Thus, when one or more plants is inserted through the position opening 30 and urges the lid sections 36 downward, the lid sections 36 apply an upward force on the plant(s)/stem(s) by urging the tips of the lid sections 36 into contact with the plant(s)/stem(s), thereby causing the position openings 30 to be reduced to the smallest size possible while allowing the plant(s)/stem(s) therethrough. This upward force causes the lid sections to be urged against the plant(s)/stem(s) such that they provide sufficient support to maintain the desired position of the plant(s)/stem(s) in container 14. In various arrangements, multiple plants 110 can be placed within positioning structures and positioned at varying locations, angles, and heights within the container 14 and maintained in those desired locations, angles, etc. as a result of the tensioned lid sections 36 operating as described herein.
From the above discussion it will be appreciated that the plant display system and related method of use presented herein improves upon the state of the art.
Specifically, the plant display arrangement system 10 presented: provides improved functionality over prior art systems; provides improved features over prior art systems; is relatively inexpensive; is easy to use; and/or provides unique functionality among countless other advantages and improvements.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without parting from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.
This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 63/504,106 filed May 24, 2023, and titled “BIODEGRADABLE PLANT POSITIONING LID AND RELATED VASE” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63504106 | May 2023 | US |
