Patent Application
20090282734
This application relates generally to a floral display device. More specifically, this application relates to a floral display device, which is collapsible and capable of displaying a floral grouping in both a semi-expanded and expanded position.
Floral groupings typically include an arrangement of cut flowers. The flowers are typically cut such that they each have longer stems. A substantial portion of the stems is typically wrapped in a polymeric or paper sheet such that the blooms remain visible. This sheet material is generally thin and, as such, is not particularly durable. Moreover, the sheet material is incapable of keeping the stems adequately hydrated, thus compromising the freshness and life of the floral grouping. Consequently, floral groupings frequently remain wrapped in the sheet material only for a short amount of time. Floral groupings are then typically removed from the sheet material and placed within a vase in order to better display them as well as hydrate them in order to extend their lives. However, moving the floral groupings from the sheet material to a vase is messy. Furthermore, most vases are constructed from fragile material, such as glass or ceramic, and prone to being broken if tipped over or dropped. Therefore, there is a significant need for a device or vase which is useful for both transporting and displaying floral groupings, while also keeping the floral groupings hydrated.
This application discloses a device or vase that is economical to produce, of simple construction and capable of mass production, but also capable of providing a user a suitable means to transport and display floral groupings.
In particular, this application discloses a liquid impermeable floral display device comprising an upper portion capable of receiving a floral grouping therein; and a lower portion in communication with said upper portion, wherein said lower portion includes a base portion, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion are capable of moving to and from a substantially collapsed storage position, to and from a semi-expanded floral retaining position, and to and from a substantially expanded upright floral display position.
This application also discloses a collapsible vase for holding a floral grouping comprising an upper portion comprising an upper opening and a lower opening, wherein said upper portion is selectively movable from a collapsed position, wherein said upper portion is substantially flat, to an expanded position, wherein said upper portion is capable of receiving a floral grouping therein; and a fluid impermeable lower portion comprising an upper aperture and a closed base, said upper aperture in communication with said lower opening of said upper portion, wherein said lower portion is selectively movable from a collapsed position, wherein said lower portion is substantially flat, to an expanded position, wherein said lower portion is capable of receiving a fluid and a portion of said floral grouping therein.
The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.
While the present floral display device is described with reference to several illustrative embodiments described herein, it should be clear that the present invention should not be limited to such embodiments. Therefore, the description of the embodiments provided herein is illustrative of the present invention and should not limit the scope of the invention as claimed.
Referring now to
The upper portion 30 includes a first set of sidewalls 50 and a second set of sidewalls 60. However, it will be appreciated that the upper portion 30 may have any suitable number of sidewalls; furthermore, while the sidewalls 50, 60 of each respective set are shown as generally converging towards one another, it will be appreciated that the sidewalls 50, 60 of each set may be at any suitable orientation relative to one another.
The first set of sidewalls 50 may be generally perpendicular to the second set of sidewalls 60 such that the upper portion 30 has a generally square cross-section. However, it will be appreciated that the vase 10 may have any suitable cross-section. Each sidewall 50, 60 includes an upper edge 70, which together define an upper opening 80 in the upper portion 30. Similarly, each sidewall 50, 60 includes a lower edge 90, which together define a lower opening 100 in the upper portion 30. In the illustrative embodiment, the upper opening 80 has a width greater than that of the lower opening 100; however it will be appreciated that the openings 80, 100 may have substantially similar widths or that the width of the lower opening 100 may be greater than that of the upper opening 80.
The second set of sidewalls 60 may each include a fold line 110. As will be discussed further below, each sidewall 60 may be folded at its fold line 110 when the vase 10 is moved to either the collapsed position or the semi-expanded position.
The lower portion 40 includes a first set of sidewalls 120 and a second set of sidewalls 130. However, it will be appreciated that the lower portion 40 may have any suitable number of sidewalls; furthermore, while the sidewalls 120, 130 of each respective set are shown as generally converging towards one another, it will be appreciated that the sidewalls 120, 130 of each set may be at any suitable orientation relative to one another.
The first set of sidewalls 120 may be generally perpendicular to the second set of sidewalls 130 such that the lower portion 40 has a generally square cross-section. However, it will be appreciated that the vase 10 may have any suitable cross-section. Each sidewall 120, 130 includes an upper edge 140, which together define an upper aperture 150 in the lower portion 40. The upper edges 140 of the lower portion 40 are coupled to the lower edges 90 of the upper portion 30. In addition, each sidewall 120, 130 includes a lower edge 900 which is coupled to a base portion 160. In the illustrative embodiment, the upper aperture 150 has a width smaller than that of the base portion 160; however it will be appreciated that the upper aperture 150 and base portion 160 may have substantially similar widths or that the width of the upper aperture 150 may be greater than that of the base portion 160.
The second set of sidewalls 130 may each include a fold line 170. As will be discussed further below, each sidewall 130 may be folded at its fold line 130 when the vase 10 is moved to either the collapsed position or the semi-expanded position. Similarly, the base portion 160 may also include one or more fold lines 180; the base 160 may be folded at its fold line(s) 180 when the vase in moved to either the collapsed position or the semi-expanded position.
The upper portion 30 and lower portion 40, either in conjunction with one another or separately, are each movable to and from a collapsed storage position (
In the semi-expanded position, the respective sidewalls are spaced from one another whereby the vase 10 may receive a floral grouping 20 therein. In the semi-expanded position, the second sets of sidewalls 60, 130 may be partially folded at their respective fold lines 110, 170. Advantageously, the lower portion 40 is capable of retaining a fluid, such as water, whereby the ends of the floral grouping may remain hydrated thereby keeping the floral grouping 20 fresh for a longer period of time.
In the expanded position, the respective sidewalls are spaced from one another whereby the vase 10 may receive a floral grouping 20 therein and maintain the floral grouping 20 in an upright position. A weighted material may be added to the lower portion 40 to assist in supporting the vase 10 in the upright position. The weighted material may be a fluid, such as water, sand, pebbles, marbles, etc. Other suitable weighted material for supporting the vase 10 in the upright position will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Referring now to
The upper portion 30 and lower portion 40, either in conjunction with one another or separately, are each movable to and from a collapsed storage position (
In the semi-expanded position, the sidewalls 210, 230 are spaced from a corresponding rear wall 220, 240 whereby the vase 200 may receive a floral grouping 20 therein. In the semi-expanded position, the sidewalls 210, 230 may be partially folded at their respective fold lines 110, 170. Advantageously, the lower portion 40 is capable of retaining a fluid, such as water, whereby the ends of the floral grouping may remain hydrated thereby keeping the floral grouping 20 fresh for a longer period of time.
In the expanded position, the sidewalls 210, 230 are spaced from a corresponding rear wall 220, 240 whereby the vase 200 may receive a floral grouping 20 therein and maintain the floral grouping 20 in an upright position. A weighted material may be added to the lower portion 40 to assist in supporting the vase 200 in the upright position. The weighted material may be a fluid, such as water, sand, pebbles, marbles, etc. Other suitable weighted material for supporting the vase 200 in the upright position will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
