DUAL SIDED OPEN ENDED FLORAL DESIGN MECHANIC

Abstract

A floral design mechanic includes a top shell that includes top supports and top openings defined between the top supports. A bottom shell including bottom supports and bottom openings defined between the bottom supports is attached to the top shell. A plant or a portion of a plant is held in place by the floral design mechanic by inserting the stem of the plant through a top opening and a bottom opening so that the stem is supported by a top support and a bottom support. The floral design mechanic is used without a container or may be placed at least partially within a vase.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention pertains generally to the field of floral arrangements and specifically to floral design mechanics for creating and securing a floral arrangement, such as a bouquet, centerpiece, basket or the like. A wide range of products are used to create floral arrangements and to hold a floral arrangement in a desired shape or position. As an example, floral foam is a commonly used product that comprises a shaped foam that receives the end of a stem of a flower used in the floral arrangement. The stem of the flower is forced into the foam so that the foam supports the flower at a particular position. However, with floral foam, the flower is only supported at one location making it easy for the flower to be knocked out of position while moving the arrangement. Additionally, since only the end of the flower is supported, it is difficult to keep flowers at an extremely angled position within the bouquet or arrangement. Alternative methods include the use of chicken wire or flower frogs to support floral arrangements.

Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments include a floral design mechanic for arranging and securing a bouquet or arrangement of flowers or other decorative plants. In one form, a floral design mechanic includes a top shell having a top outer edge. The top shell includes top supports and top openings defined between the top supports. The floral design mechanic also includes a bottom shell having a bottom outer edge. The bottom shell includes bottom supports defining bottom openings and is attached to the top shell. An interior cavity is defined between the top shell and the bottom shell when the top shell is attached to the bottom shell.

The floral design mechanic is configured to secure a plant or a portion of the plant by accepting a stem that extends through one of the top openings and through one of the bottom openings. The top supports surrounding the top opening and the bottom supports surrounding the bottom opening keep the plant constrained to a general location and placement within the floral arrangement.

In some embodiments, the floral design mechanic includes at least one connection prong positioned on either the top outer edge or said bottom outer edge. The connection prong corresponds to a prong reception member positioned on either the top outer edge or the bottom outer edge, opposite of the connection prong. The connection prong couples to the prong reception member to attach the top shell to the bottom shell.

In some instances, a floral design mechanic may be configured for and/or used with a vase. The vase may have a base and a top rim with an inner surface. A body defining a hollow interior extends between the base and the top rim. The floral design mechanic is supported by the inner surface of the vase. A stem of a plant is inserted through a top opening and then through one of the bottom openings of the floral design mechanic so that the stem extends into the hollow interior defined by the body of the vase. In certain embodiments, the floral design mechanic is positioned on the vase so that at least a portion of the floral design mechanic extends above the top rim of the vase. The design mechanic may be secured to the vase by friction, clips, tape or some other attachment mechanism, if desired.

Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a floral design mechanic according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a top shell of the floral design mechanic of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bottom shell of the floral design mechanic of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the interaction between a connection prong on the top shell and a connection assembly on the bottom shell of the floral design mechanic of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interaction between a connection assembly on the top shell and a connection prong on the bottom shell of the floral design mechanic of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of flowers supported by the floral design mechanic of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a floral design mechanic.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a top shell of the floral design mechanic of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bottom shell of the floral design mechanic of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the floral design mechanic of FIG. 7 supported by a vase.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a flower in a vase supported by the floral design mechanic of FIG. 7 (or 10).

DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of one embodiment of a floral design mechanic 20. Floral design mechanic 20 defines an interior cavity 25 situated between a top shell 30 and a bottom shell 60. Top shell 30 and bottom shell 60 are shown as being separably attached to each other, allowing floral design mechanic 20 to be split into two separate pieces. Floral design mechanic 20 has an oblong, pill-like shape, such as for creating horizontal bouquets.

As shown in FIG. 2, top shell 30 includes a series of top supports 32 that collectively form a frame with a lattice-type arrangement. Top openings 36 are voids defined through top shell 30 between the series of top supports 32. In the embodiment shown, top openings 36 come in a variety of shapes. Some of top openings 36 are quadrilateral, pentagonal, or hexagonal. In other embodiments, different shapes for top openings 36 may be used or top shell 30 may include top openings 36 that are all the same shape.

Top shell 30 includes a top outer edge 42. Top connection prongs 44 and top prong reception members 50 are spaced around top outer edge 42. In the embodiment shown, one half of the top outer edge 42 of top shell 30 includes top connection prongs 44 and the other half of outer edge 42 of top shell 30 includes top prong reception members 50. In other embodiments, the arrangement of top connection prongs 44 and top prong reception members 50 may be modified. As an example, top connection prongs 44 and top prong reception members 50 may alternate around outer edge 42. In other instances, outer edge 42 may include only top connection prongs 44 or may include only top prong reception members 50. In alternate embodiments, other connection types may be utilized, such as snap-fit, clips or other known alternatives.

Bottom shell 60, shown in FIG. 3, is symmetric with top shell 30. Similar to top shell 30, bottom shell 60 includes a series of bottom supports 62 that collectively form a frame with a lattice-type arrangement. Bottom openings 66 are voids defined through bottom shell 60 between the series of bottom supports 62. Bottom openings 66 are arranged to correspond with the position of top openings 36 defined through top shell 30. In other forms, the bottom shell 60 may take on a different shape and configuration from top shell 30, provided that the two remain connectable.

Bottom shell 60 includes a bottom outer edge 72. Bottom connection prongs 74 and bottom prong reception members 80 are spaced around bottom outer edge 72. Bottom connection prongs 74 are positioned around one half of outer edge 72 to correspond with top prong reception members 50 of top shell 30. Bottom prong reception members 80 are positioned along the other half of bottom outer edge 72 to correspond with the position of top connection prongs 44 of top shell 30. In other embodiments, where the arrangement of top connection prongs 44 and top prong reception members 50 on top shell 30 is modified, the arrangement of bottom connection prongs 74 and bottom prong reception members 80 is also modified. Bottom connection prongs 74 are positioned to correspond with top prong reception members 50 and bottom prong reception members 80 are positioned to correspond with top connection prongs 44.

Top shell 30 and bottom shell 60 in the illustrated embodiment are connected by interlocking top connection prongs 44 with corresponding bottom prong reception members 80 and interlocking bottom connection prongs 74 with corresponding top prong reception members 50. As shown in FIG. 4, top connection prong 44 includes a body 45. An extension 46 projects from body 45 and a tapered surface 47 is provided between extension 46 and an end surface 48 of connection prong 44. Bottom prong reception member 80 includes a projection 81 that extends from outer edge 72 of bottom shell 60. Projection 81 includes a top surface 82 and a bottom surface 84. A prong opening 85 is defined through projection 81 and extends completely through top surface 82 and bottom surface 84.

Connection prongs 44 and 74 connect to prong reception members 50 and 80 using a snap fit mechanism. To interlock top connection prong 44 with bottom prong reception member 80, end surface 48 of connection prong 44 is inserted into prong opening 85. Connection prong 44 is advanced so that tapered surface 47 extends through prong opening 85 until extension 46 clears bottom surface 84 of projection 81. Once extension 46 clears bottom surface 84, connection prong 44 flexes outward so that extension 46 contacts bottom surface 84 when top shell 30 is pulled away from bottom shell 60 (see FIG. 1). This connects top shell 30 and bottom shell 60 and assists to prevent accidental separation of top shell 30 and bottom shell 60.

As shown in FIG. 5, the interaction between bottom connection prong 74 and top prong reception member 50 is symmetrical to the interaction between top connection prong 44 and bottom prong reception member 80. Top prong reception member 50 includes a projection 51 that extends from outer edge 42 of top shell 30. Bottom connection prong 74 is inserted through a prong opening 55 in top prong reception member 50. A tapered surface 77 of bottom connection prong 74 is advanced through prong opening 85 until an extension 76 extending from a body 75 of bottom connection prong 74 clears the top surface 52 of projection 51. Once extension 76 clears top surface 52, connection prong 74 flexes outward so that the lack of clearance between extension 76 and top surface 52 prevents top shell 30 from being separated from bottom shell 60.

Floral design mechanic 20 provides a lightweight, easy to handle structure for a floral arrangement or bouquet of flowers 90 that keeps the arrangement intact during construction. The interior cavity 25 of floral design mechanic 20 remains empty, without the addition of floral foam or any other material which supports the stems of the flowers used in the bouquet. The floral design mechanic allows a florist or designer to insert flower stems at all angles and keep them in a horizontal fan-shaped or asymmetrical array without the flowers popping to a vertical position when the stem handle is tied. As shown in FIG. 6, the structure of the bouquet is maintained by securing the stems 92 of flowers to the supports 32 and/or 62 of shells 30 and 60. The stems 92 may be secured to supports 32 and/or 62 by wire 94 or by any other suitable attachment mechanism. The open ended design allows stems to extend through the top shell 30 and the bottom shell 60 of floral design mechanic 20 so that one stem can be supported at two points. This assists to secure the flower in the desired position in the bouquet while also allowing for built-out, cascading bouquets.

By securing stems of flowers in the bouquet at supports 32, 62 of floral design mechanic 20, the stems of each of the flowers are separated so that each bloom in the bouquet can be seen. This reduces the number of flowers and stems needed to fill the bouquet. Additionally, the two points of also supports permit stems of to be severely angled (see FIG. 6) without allowing the stems to collapse into a ball.

As the arrangement is created, the user may set down the floral design mechanic 20 to take a break, while the flowers attached to floral design mechanic 20 remain in the position at which they were arranged. In other instances, the user may place the floral design mechanic 20 on a vase to support floral design mechanic 20 while the bouquet is designed rather than having to hold floral design mechanic 20 during design and arrangement.

Once the bouquet is completed, floral design mechanic 20 is easily hidden. As an example, in some embodiments, floral design mechanic 20 is hidden by a collar of green leaves. Other embodiments may use other suitable materials or techniques to hide floral design mechanic 20; however, in some instances, floral design mechanic 20 may not be hidden, but instead remains visible. Floral design mechanic 20 and the stems of the flowers used in the bouquet can also be easily placed into water to prolong the life of the flowers and the bouquet.

In some embodiments, a bouquet designer may use wired stems for the flowers in the bouquet. The wired stems may be twisted into the interior 24 of floral design mechanic 20 to provide additional support to the bouquet. In some embodiments, a designer may include succulents or pods on the frame, either with stemmed flowers or for a bouquet that only includes succulents and/or pods.

The separable top shell 30 and bottom shell 60 allows floral design mechanic 20 to be reduced in size for storage. Top shell 30 is removed from bottom shell 60 and one of the shells 30, 60 can be nested within the other shell 30, 60 to minimize storage space needed for floral design mechanic 20.

An alternative embodiment of a floral design mechanic 120 is shown in FIG. 7. Floral design mechanic 120 includes a top shell 130 and a bottom shell 160 that are separably attached to each other to define an interior cavity 125. In this embodiment, the top shell 130 has a circular outer edge 142 and supports 132 defining openings 136 and extending convexly from outer edge 142 (see FIG. 8). Similarly, bottom shell 160 has a circular outer edge 172 and supports 162 defining openings 166 and extending convexly from outer edge 172 (see FIG. 9).

Top shell 130 and bottom shell may be connected by connection prongs 144 and corresponding connection assemblies 174 arranged around the outer edges of the top shell and bottom shell 160, similar to the top connection prongs 44 and bottom connection assemblies 80 already discussed above. As shown in FIGS. 8-9, each of top shell 130 and bottom shell 160 may include both connection prongs 144 and connection assemblies 174 around outer edges 142, 172. As an example, in some embodiments, outer edge 142 may have alternating connection prongs 144 and connection assemblies 174. In other embodiments, outer edge includes only connection prongs 144 or only connection assemblies 174. Still other examples may include any other suitable arrangement of connection prongs 144 and connection assemblies 174.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, floral design mechanic 120 can be used in combination with a vase 210 to create a structured floral arrangement system. Vase 210 includes a base 212 and a top rim 214. A body 216 defining a hollow interior 218 bounded by an inner surface 220 of body 216 extends between the base 212 and the top rim 214. Hollow interior 218 is accessible through top rim 214. Floral design mechanic 120 is placed on top of vase 210 and supported by top rim 214 so that at least a portion of floral design mechanic 120 is positioned within hollow interior 218 of vase 210 and a portion of floral design mechanic is positioned above the top rim 214 of vase 210. In some embodiments, vase 210 may include a neck 222, and floral design mechanic 120 is positioned above neck 222.

In FIG. 10, floral design mechanic 120 rests on top rim 214 so that roughly the top shell 130 extends above top rim 214 while the bottom shell 160 is below top rim 214, within hollow interior 218. In other embodiments, floral design mechanic 120 may be used with different sized vases so that either more of floral design mechanic 120 is above top rim 214 or so that less of floral design mechanic 120 is above top rim 214. For vases with a wider top rim 214, less of top shell 130 extends above top rim 214. In some cases, floral design mechanic 120 may be positioned so that the entirety of floral design mechanic 120 is within hollow interior 218. For vases with a narrower top rim 214, a greater portion of floral design mechanic 120 extends above top rim 214, so that the entirety of top shell 130 and even some of bottom shell 160 extends above top rim 214.

A portion of the plant or flower 90, such as the stem 92, desired for use in the bouquet is inserted through the openings 136, 166 in floral design mechanic 120 and into the hollow interior 218 of vase 210 (see FIG. 11). It shall be appreciated that both organic and artificial flowers and floral products shall be considered “plants” or “flowers” for purposes of this disclosure. The supports 132, 162 of floral design mechanic 120 keep the plants in a desired location in the bouquet, and in some embodiments, a plant may be attached to a support 132 and/or 162 using wire or another suitable attachment method. The two support points allow floral stems to be held and maintained at sharp angles without falling over as might occur if the flower is only supported at the base of the stem.

Because both the top shell 130 and the bottom shell 160 of floral design mechanic 120 include openings 136, 166, the stems of the plants in the bouquet can be kept in water, lengthening the life of the bouquet. In contrast, floral foam used to stabilize and maintain the shape of a floral bouquet requires the base of the flowers to be inserted directly into the foam, preventing the floral bouquet from being placed in water.

Floral design mechanic 120 allows for a floral arrangement to easily be moved from vase 210 without disrupting the floral bouquet. Floral design mechanic 120 is lifted off of top rim 214 of vase 210 while the plants and flowers of the bouquet remain secured by floral design mechanic 120. Floral design mechanic 120 may then be moved to a different container such as a bowl or to another vase. This may also be useful for transportation of the bouquet so that the floral bouquet may be kept in water and delivered separately from the vase 210 to reduce the chances of breaking vase 210 and to maintain the health of the bouquet. Additionally, even if the floral design mechanic 120 remains with the vase 210 during transportation, if the vase 210 is broken, the design of the floral bouquet remains intact.

The position of floral design mechanic 120 on top rim 214 of vase 210 provides several other advantages. The ability of floral design mechanic 120 to support flowers at steep angels allows a soft edge of flowers and cascading flowers to be arranged along the outer edges 142, 172 so that flowers surround top rim 214. Floral design mechanic 120 also allows elevated designs without having to rely on certain types of flowers, such as hydrangea, to create the high-profile design.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.

Claims

1. A floral arrangement system comprising: a floral design mechanic including: a top shell including top openings defined between top supports;a bottom shell including bottom openings defined between bottom supports, wherein said bottom shell is attached to said top shell;an interior cavity defined between said top shell and said bottom shell when said top shell is attached to said bottom shell;a vase having a base and a top rim with an inner surface, said vase including a body defining a hollow interior between said base and said top rim; andwherein said floral design mechanic is supported by the inner surface of said vase so that a floral stem inserted through one of said top openings and one of said bottom openings extends into said hollow interior defined by said body of said vase.

2. The floral arrangement system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said floral design mechanic extends above said top rim of said vase when said floral design mechanic is supported by the inner surface of said vase.

3. The floral arrangement system of claim 1, wherein said floral design mechanic is supported by the inner surface at a position above a neck of the base.

4. The floral arrangement system of claim 1, wherein said top shell is separable from said bottom shell.

5. The floral arrangement system of claim 1, wherein said floral design mechanic is removable from said vase.

6. The floral arrangement system of claim 1, wherein said top shell includes a top outer edge and said bottom shell includes a bottom outer edge; andwherein said top outer edge and said bottom outer edge are circular.

7. The floral arrangement system of claim 6, wherein said top supports extend convexly from said top outer edge and said bottom supports extend convexly from said bottom outer edge.

8. A floral design mechanic comprising: a top shell including a series of top supports and top openings defined between said top supports;a bottom shell including a series of bottom supports and bottom openings defined between said bottom supports, wherein said bottom shell is attachable to said top shell;an interior cavity defined between said top shell and said bottom shell when said top shell is attached to said bottom shell; andwherein the floral design mechanic is configured to secure a plant or a portion of the plant by accepting a stem that extends through one of said top openings and through one of said bottom openings.

9. The floral design mechanic of claim 8, wherein the stem of the plant is secured to one of the top supports and secured to one of the bottom supports.

10. The floral design mechanic of claim 8, wherein said top shell includes a top outer edge and said bottom shell includes a bottom outer edge; andwherein said top supports extend convexly from said top outer edge and said bottom supports extend convexly from said bottom outer edge.

11. The floral design mechanic of claim 10, wherein said top outer edge and said bottom outer edge are circular.

12. The floral design mechanic of claim 10, wherein said top outer edge and said bottom outer edge are oval shaped.

13. The floral design mechanic of claim 8, wherein said top supports and said bottom supports are made of plastic.

14. The floral design mechanic of claim 8, wherein said top shell attaches to said bottom shell using a snap fit mechanism.

15. A floral design mechanic comprising: a top shell including top openings defined between top supports, wherein said top shell includes an top outer edge;a bottom shell including bottom openings defined between bottom supports, wherein said bottom shell includes a bottom outer edge and is attachable to said top shell;at least one connection prong positioned on either said top outer edge or said bottom outer edge;at least one prong reception member positioned on either said top outer edge or said bottom outer edge, opposite said connection prong; andwherein said connection prong couples to said prong reception member to attach said top shell to said bottom shell, forming an interior cavity defined between said top shell and said bottom shell.

16. The floral design mechanic of claim 15, wherein each of said top shell and said bottom shell includes at least one connection prong and at least one prong reception member.

17. The floral design mechanic of claim 16, wherein the top shell includes four connection prongs and four prong reception members.

18. The floral design mechanic of claim 15, wherein said at least one prong reception member includes a connection opening, and wherein said prong reception member is coupled to said connection prong by inserting said connection prong through said connection opening.

19. The floral design mechanic of claim 18, wherein said connection prong includes a body and an extension extending from said body;wherein said prong reception member includes a projection having a top surface and a bottom surface; andwherein after said connection prong is inserted through said connection opening, said connection prong flexes so that said extension of said connection prong contacts said bottom surface of said projection of said prong reception member to prevent said connection prong from being removed from said connection opening.

20. The floral design mechanic of claim 15, wherein the floral design mechanic is configured to secure a plant or a portion of the plant by accepting a stem that extends through one of said top openings and through one of said bottom openings.