Patent Application
20240074602
The invention relates to flower containers for storing and displaying freshly cut flowers.
Vases have been a novel piece of the American home for years. Most everyone has at least one of these typical flower vases laying around their home. Such vases are usually made of glass material which are heavy, and fragile. For many years, these devices have helped consumers store flowers and display beautiful bouquets. Consumers pay top dollar for these floral arrangements which fuel a 5-billion-dollar floral industry in America. After purchasing the high dollar flower bouquets, consumers routinely place them in a vase, and fill the container with room temperature water to keep the flowers hydrated. As the flowers stems sit in the room temperature water, they start to decay rapidly because bacteria, fungus, and algae begin to build-up in the container. This abundance of microorganisms pollute the water, and act as a plug in the bottom of flower stems causing water restriction to the flowers. This results in wilted flowers and speeds the process of flower decay. Unfortunately, these ordinary floral containers do nothing to help prevent the build-up these microorganisms. Thus, there is a need for a new and improved flower vase.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20180295784 A1 relates to the importance of preserving flowers and plants for transportation purposes. The patent discloses the use of liquid media to promote hydration with a spill proof concept.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,173,511 B2 teaches the use of a double-walled vase to store decorative articles like flowers, and candles. It contains an opening at the bottom to allow storage of decorative items. The double wall is solely used to hold decorative material like sand, rocks, and holiday décor.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,856,676 B2 discloses a disposable vase. The patent teaches that using a new container to hold flowers each time helps decrease the build-up of bacteria in the vase, which is said to be a reason for bouquets dying so quickly.
U.S. Pat. No. 116,401 discloses a vase that is used for purpose of cemetery flowers. The vase includes a reservoir which allows water to be stored and supplied once filled. The patent also teaches the use of pipes that promote water storage thus reducing the number of times that fresh flowers need to be watered.
U.S. Pat. No. 650,614 relates to flowerpots and vases, which consist of a double wall including a layer of air. This double wall layer is closed at the top and open at the bottom to allow the roots of the plant to be protected from sudden changes of temperature.
U.S. Patent App. Publication No. 20170259983 A1 relates to double wall insulated containers which contain an outer wall and inner wall. The walls are separated by vacuum sealed air to stop conduction and temperature changes within the vessel. The container is designed to hold volumes of liquid for drinking purposes and is described as a drinking vessel.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,519,049 B2 relates to a method of extending the life of fresh cut flowers, wherein an anti-microbial chemical composition is added to water in a flower vase to reduce the buildup of microbial growth.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,403 relates to another chemical compound to extend the vase-life of fresh cut flowers. The patent teaches that microbial build up in the vase causes clogging in flower stems; thus, preventing the flowers from receiving proper hydration. The chemical compound added to the water aids in prevention of clogging allowing the vascular system of the flowers to absorb water for hydration.
All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention comprises a container for floral arrangements comprising: an outer vessel; an inner vessel contained within the outer vessel; and a non-resealable opening leading into an inner cavity defined by the inner vessel, wherein the opening and the inner cavity are configured to receive water and at least one flower stem, and the inner vessel is thermally insulated from the outer vessel such that contents within the inner cavity can be held at a holding temperature different from an ambient temperature outside the container for a holding period.
In certain embodiments, the inner vessel is thermally insulated from the outer vessel by at least one chamber containing a gas having a thermal conductivity lower than that of the inner vessel and the outer vessel.
In certain embodiments, the gas is air at a pressure not greater than 0.001 Torr (0.133 Pa).
In certain embodiments, the inner vessel is waterproof.
In certain embodiments, the inner vessel and the outer vessel independently comprise at least one member selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, brass, copper, bronze, aluminum, glass, plastic, acrylic and ceramic.
In certain embodiments, the inner vessel is sufficiently thermally insulated from the outer vessel such that the holding temperature is at least 15° C. less than the ambient temperature and the holding period is at least 60 minutes.
In certain embodiments, the inner vessel is sufficiently thermally insulated from the outer vessel such that condensation does not form on an outer surface of the container.
In certain embodiments, the outer vessel defines an outer surface of the container.
In certain embodiments, the outer vessel further defines a base which is configured to maintain the container in a position such that the contents within the inner cavity do not spill out of the inner cavity.
In certain embodiments, the middle section of the inner vessel is tapered relative to a top section and a bottom section of the inner vessel, such that stems of the floral arrangement passing through the middle section further insulate water within the inner cavity from conditions external to the container.
A second aspect of the invention comprises a method for displaying a floral arrangement, said method comprising: providing the container of the invention; providing the floral arrangement in the inner cavity of the container with water, wherein an initial temperature of the water is at least 15° C. less than the ambient temperature outside the container; and displaying the floral arrangement in the container.
The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:
This detailed description is provided as required to describe the basic concepts of preferred embodiments of the invention. The brief summary of the invention above is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Sizes and angles referenced herein are not specific and should not limit the scope of the invention. This detailed description is presented to outline certain non-limiting embodiments of the invention and the theory of the invention.
The present invention resolves the aforementioned problems associated with conventional flower vases by creating an un-friendly environment for microorganisms to grow. It does this by keeping the fresh cut flowers in cold water by using a double-walled insulated container. Allowing the water temperature inside the container to stay colder at lower temperatures for extended periods of time, enabling freshly cut flowers to stay alive longer when placed inside the container of the present invention.
Thus, the invention provides a container for floral arrangements which is an improvement over conventional decorative flower vases. The inventive container is insulated to enable fresh cut flower stems to be kept in water at a cooler temperature for longer periods of time, resulting in the reduction of microorganism growth within the floral water. The invention when properly used enables freshly cut flowers to last longer than they would in a conventional vase. The invention will enable floral industry consumers to protect their investment of freshly cut flowers. As used herein, the term “flower” is intended to include all horticultural items like flowers, foliage, stems, and plants, etc.
The inventive container preferably comprises an inner vessel within an outer vessel. There is preferably no lid on the container, the top of the container is non-resealable and open to air which creates an accessible inner vessel to receive water and flowers. The inner vessel can be made of a waterproof material and is designed to hold flower stems with liquids, and solids.
The container is thermally insulated by a double wall to maintain a certain temperature within the internal vessel. The present invention allows for water within the inner vessel to maintain a holding temperature of at minimum 15° C. less than the external temperature for a minimum of 60 minutes. The inner and outer vessel gap creates a space or chamber between the two walls which reduces the exchange of thermal energy. This chamber can be vacuum sealed with a pressure not greater than 0.001 Torr (0.133 Pa). The container may have thicker walls, a longer neck, and more vacuum air space to ensure the best insulation possible. The double wall also prevents condensation from forming on an external surface of container 3.
What further separates this invention from other insulated containers, is the internal vessel's purpose, concept, shape, and design. The inner vessel of the container is designed with an hourglass shape with a long thin neck which extends into the base of the container. Allowing the temperature inside the container to be further insulated when flower stems are properly placed into the inner vessel.
The container may be made of several different materials, mainly being stainless steel, due to insulative properties, but can be made from brass, copper, bronze, aluminum, glass, plastic, acrylic, and ceramic.
The outer vessel of the container is the outer surface and doubles as a base to allow the container to sit on a flat surface preventing the interior contents within the inner vessel from spilling.
Broadly, this present invention provides an improved floral container (sometimes referred to herein as a vase) for containing floral items. The floral container is a double walled container with the intended purpose of holding liquids and solids within the internal vessel. The invention provides a container which insulates the water into which fresh cut flowers can be placed.
With reference now to the drawings, a new flower container system embodying the principles and concepts of the disclosed subject matter will be described. The system includes means for selectively insulating an inner vessel of a vase with the purpose of holding liquids at certain temperatures within the inner vessel of a floral container. The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is provided for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.
Referring to
Vessel body 6 is a dual wall construction, wherein chamber 12 is defined by the space between inner vessel 10 and outer vessel 5, which are joined together at top end 2 of container 3 to create a seal, such as by a weld or other method of joining.
Inner cavity 11 of inner vessel 10 can contain water 14, ice 15, and foliage stems 16 of flowers 17 as shown in
Outer vessel 5 has a base 7 configured to support container 3 when placed on a surface in a filled or empty condition. Outer vessel 5 may be formed in a variety of preferred external designs, shapes, and styles as shown in the non-limiting embodiments of
Outer vessel 5 and inner vessel 10 are made of one or more materials, which are preferably waterproof. Suitable materials include but are not limited to non-rusting metals such as stainless steel due to the superior insulative properties, but may also include brass, copper, bronze, alloy, polymers, aluminum, and non-metals such as glass, plastic, acrylic, or ceramics. Outer vessel 5 and inner vessel 10 can be made from the same or different materials. Copper may be included in the composition of inner vessel 10 to further promote the reduction of microorganisms.
Inner vessel 10 may be formed in an hourglass shape with a thin neck 4 to aid in insulation of inner cavity 11. Inner vessel 10 may be formed in an hourglass shape that may not be directly parallel to the exterior shape of the vessel. In certain embodiments, inner vessel 10 is configured to be slimmer beneath top end 2 of container 3 to reduce the amount of heat transfer from inner cavity through top opening 1 to the external environment when flower stems are placed inside the vessel.
Chamber 12 between inner vessel 10 and outer vessel 5 is preferably vacuum sealed to enhance the insulating ability of container 3. Chamber 12 preferably contains air at a pressure below ambient conditions. More preferably, chamber contains air at a pressure of 0.00001 Torr to 0.001 Torr (0.00133 Pa to 0.133 Pa), or not greater than 0.001 Torr (0.133 Pa). In some embodiments, chamber 12 may have a double thickness and could be filled with any insulative product material. The space between the two vessels creates a thermal conductivity lower than that of the inner vessel and the outer vessel such that condensation does not form on an outer surface of the container.
In other embodiments, container 3 can be insulated by substances other than air at negative pressure. For example, chamber 12 may be filled with one or more of fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulosic materials, polystyrene foam, polyisocyanurate foam, polyurethane foam, perlite, cementitious foam, phenolic foam and aerogel.
Chamber 12 may be produced with different amounts of space dependent upon the design and shape of inner vessel 10 and outer vessel 5. Inner cavity 11 is preferably designed to hold just enough water 14 and ice 15 to properly hydrate the flower stems while keeping the stored liquid at a lower holding temperature than the ambient external air temperature. The holding temperature is preferably 0° C. to 15° C., or 5° C. to 10° C., and/or is preferably at least 15° C. less than the ambient temperature outside of the container. The container is preferably configured to maintain the holding temperature within the desired range for at least 60 minutes (e.g., up to 600 minutes or up to 300 minutes or up to 120 minutes).
The base 7 of the container 3 is preferably flat as shown in the figures. The bottom may optionally have a rubber or plastic piece on the bottom which can provide a non-skid surface, to prevent the container from sliding along a smooth surface. The bottom can be altered if necessary, during production to create a vacuum seal of chamber 12. Base 7 may have a seal created during the formation of the vacuum between the inner vessel 10 and the outer vessel 5, which can be sealed by a resin to provide the chamber 12 to form an insulated double wall structure. In addition, various other techniques can be used to vacuum seal, which may include painting the resin, powder coating the dimple, adhering metal or paper over the opening, or adding a rubber or plastic piece to cover the opening.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
