Patent Application
20210353077
This application does not claim priority from another application.
The field of Vases, Liquid Holding Containers, and the like.
Not Applicable to this invention.
Not Applicable to this invention.
Currently in the gifts, florist, furnishing, home goods, interior decorating and functional art industries there exists a strong need for a light weight, robust, and safe container for use as a vase that can reliably hold water or other liquids for days or weeks at a time. Furthermore, there exists substantial and growing pressure to manufacture these vases using recycled and recyclable materials.
Beginning with pottery circa 18,000 B.C. found in Jiangxi, China, many attempts have been made to make vases and other vessels that are functional, strong, and can reliably contain liquids. At first pottery was formed using the coiling method whereby the clay was worked into long cylindrical strips, then stacked and smoothed together to make solid walls. Then in the 4th millennium B.C. the potter's wheel was invented, allowing pottery to be made more efficiently and quickly. However, even with the use of the potter's wheel, the vases and vessels were still made from clay, which is heavy, fragile, and often requires kiln firing or other heat treatment to become suitable for use. Many years later, other types of ceramics were used, including porcelain. However, all ceramics shared common weaknesses such as low durability, including fracturing and chipping, low resistance to thermal shock, slow and labor-intensive manufacture, and weight. While modern manufacturing techniques have greatly improved the quality of ceramics, the basic process and composition has remained the same.
To overcome the weaknesses of ceramics, vases have been made from many other materials including glass, corrosion resistant metals, plastics, and even wood. However, each material type has inherent weaknesses. For example, glass vases are highly susceptible to shattering, and when broken leave dangerous shards of sharp glass scattered around. In addition, glass vases are typically heavy, or if not heavy, then fragile. As another problem with glass vases, the world supply of silica suitable for manufacturing glassware is dwindling, making the use of glassware unsustainable.
As another example, metal vases have been used, and have been made from metals like aluminum, brass, bronze, or stainless steel. While these materials offer higher durability than glass or ceramic, they can be heavy, as in the case of bronze, brass, and stainless steel. In addition, obtaining the metals for use in the vases require intensive, and typically environmentally destructive, mining and refining processes. Furthermore, casting, machining, or forging metals are energy intensive and potentially environmentally damaging processes. As with glass, this makes the use of these materials unsuitable for sustainable manufacture.
Plastics, unlike ceramics or metals can be both light weight and durable. However, most plastics are created from byproducts of the oil and gas extraction industries, and many do not biodegrade in the environment. While some are recyclable, most plastic products, even the recyclable ones, are sent to landfills, where the plastics can containment the environment. Furthermore, not all plastics are recyclable. Thus, even though plastics are easily manufactured and are light weight and durable, they are not suitable for use as sustainable products.
Wood in contrast to the previous materials, can be light weight, durable, and biodegradable, but suffers from issues with being difficult to manufacture and susceptible to rotting. In addition, the woods most suitable for vases and other vessels, like teak, are currently being overharvested and the loss of habit caused by cutting down is trees is tremendous. This in turn has caused and continues to cause many species of plants, animals, and insects to become endangered or extinct. Adding to this, in many countries harvesting woods suitable for vases is now illegal.
To overcome these problems, paper vases and vessels have been tried, but with a conspicuous lack of success. Paper has many advantages as a material for vases. It can be sustainably produced, recycled, easily decorated, and easily manufactured. However, paper is unsuited for use in containing water or other liquids. Most papers, when exposed to water, simply saturate with the water, then disintegrate. This limitation is inherent in how paper is manufactured, because paper is made by creating a pulp from cellulose fibers, then combining the pulp with water, which is then placed on a paper making machine where it is flattened, dried, and cut into sheets and rolls. Thus, when exposed to water the paper is converted back into a pulp. As can easily be understood, paper is not suitable for use as a vase that must contain water, such as a flower vase.
To overcome this limitation, plastic sleeves have been used to line the inside of the paper vases, allowing liquid to be stored in the vase. However, this adds to the cost of the paper vase, and as noted with plastic vases, creates an unsustainable waste problem. The below described new Vase Apparatus was conceived and developed to overcome the limitations inherent in the above described vases and vase materials.
The novelty and non-obviousness of the Vase Apparatus comes from its seeming simplicity. The Vase Apparatus can be made from poly-coated Solid Bleached Sulphate (“SBS”) paperboard, similar to milk or juice cartons, or other waterproof paper. This makes the Vase Apparatus base material waterproof. In addition to being waterproof, the paperboard is suitable for being printed on. Thus, the interior and exterior surfaces of the Vase Apparatus can be printed with almost any color, design, or even photographs.
The paperboard is manufactured and printed flat, and so to make the Vase Apparatus the paperboard is manufactured with specific bend lines such that the paperboard can be folded into a vase. The bends are configured so that when the bends are made and the vase is formed, the material between the bend lines overlap. The overlapped material can then be glued together, or heat sealed. Using heat sealing is preferred because the ploy-coating of the pieces of overlapped material melt together and thereby create a watertight seal.
The Vase Apparatus overcomes the limitations of other vase materials and designs in many ways. For example, the Vase Apparatus is able to contain water, but is lightweight and durable, unlike glass and ceramic vases. The paperboard can be printed in almost any color or design. The paperboard is also made from recycled materials and may be recycled itself, making the Vase Apparatus a sustainable option.
In addition, the Vase Apparatus can replace the cellophane or plastic bags commonly used to store flowers for display and sale in florist's shops and other stores.
By being made from paperboard, the Vase Apparatus is a safe alternative to glass vases and is ideal for someone on the go. This also makes it the ideal choice for use in hospitals, workplaces, restaurants, homes, and anywhere else a safe, lightweight, and tasteful vase is needed.
The Vase Apparatus can be used for many things, including holding flowers, balloon bouquets, candy bouquets, candy, wine, beer, or spirits, toys, stuffed animals, ice, wine and cheese, and many more options. Other possibilities include general gift wrapping for any object that can fit inside, a goodies box, or home or office décor. Basically, it can be used for anything a ceramic, plastic, or metal vase can be used for and for some things that they cannot be used for.
Also due to its durability, light weight, and convenience, the Vase Apparatus can be stocked and sold in numerous places including grocery stores, flower shops, online flower shops, gift shops, hospital gift shops, convenience stores, party stores, hotels, convention centers, wedding shops, and online retailers like Amazon.com.
As an added bonus, because the Vase Apparatus is a sustainable product, it can be sold and used as a single use item, however, as noted above it is durable enough to be used repeatedly.
In addition to the Vase Apparatus itself, a Greeting Card Envelope can be attached to it. This allows the Vase Apparatus to include a greeting, Get Well Soon, Birthday, Congratulations, or other type of card in a single convenient package. The Greeting Card Envelope is made from paper stock by cutting the basic shape of the envelope out, then bending and folding the envelope into shape. The greeting card envelope is then attached to the Vase Apparatus using an adhesive strip or other adhesive.
In another possible embodiment, the vase apparatus comprises a base form, wherein said base form is created from a waterproof material, and is operable to be transformed from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration; at least two side panels; a bottom panel, wherein said bottom panel is bounded by said side panels; a plurality of bend lines, wherein said bend lines are operable to create at least one overlapping panel when said base form is transformed form said unfolded configuration to said folded configuration along said bend lines; and an adhesive zone wherein said adhesive zone is operable to adhere at least one said overlapping panel to at least one said side panel.
In addition, the Vase Apparatus may further comprise at least one cover flap; at least one cover flap bend line, wherein said cover flap bend line is operable to allow said cover flap to fold and overlap at least one said side panel and at least one said overlapping panel; and a cover flap adhesive zone, wherein said cover flap adhesive zone is operable to adhere at least one said cover flap to at least one said side overlapping panel or said side panel.
The Vase Apparatus adhesive zone may comprise at least one of a group consisting of a chemical adhesive applied to said waterproof material, a physical fastener applied to said waterproof material, or a heat activated adhesive process.
The Vase Apparatus waterproof material may comprise at least one of a group consisting of poly-coated Solid Bleached Sulphate paperboard, poly-coated Solid Bleached Board, or poly-coated Clay Coated News Back duplex paperboard. Furthermore, the waterproof material comprises a recyclable material.
The chemical adhesive may comprise at least one of a group consisting of Cyanoacrylate, Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) glue, epoxy, or Hot Melt Adhesive (HMA) glue applied to said envelope base form.
The physical fastener may comprise at least one of a group consisting of a staple, a screw, a rivet, a button, a tack, a nail, a paper clip, or a clamp.
The heat activated adhesive process may comprise applying heat to said adhesive zone while said overlapping panel and said side panel are in contact until said waterproof material begins to melt; removing said heat from said adhesive zone; and maintaining said contact between said overlapping panel and said side panel until said waterproof material cools.
A possible method for creating a Vase Apparatus may comprise creating a base form from a waterproof material; creating bend lines in said base form such that said bend lines define at least two side panels, a bottom panel, and at least twice as many overlapping panels as side panels; folding said base form along said bend lines such that an interior chamber is defined by said side panels and said overlapping panels; and adhering at least one said overlapping panel to at least one said side panel using an adhesive method.
In addition, the method for creating the vase Apparatus may further comprise a cover flap attached to said base form, with a cover flap bend line at the interface of said cover flap and said base form; folding said cover flap along said bend line such that said cover flap contacts at least one side panel or overlapping panel; and adhering said cover flap to said side panel or said overlapping panel using an adhesive method.
The adhesive method used may comprise at least one of a group consisting of using a chemical adhesive, heating said waterproof material such that it melts and adheres to itself, or using a physical fastener.
In another possible embodiment, a Vase and Greeting Card Envelope Apparatus may comprise a vase apparatus comprising a base form, wherein the base form is created from a waterproof material, and is operable to be transformed from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration; at least two side panels; a bottom panel, wherein said bottom panel is bounded by said side panels; a plurality of bend lines, wherein said bend lines are operable to create overlapping panels when said base form is transformed form said unfolded configuration to said folded configuration along said bend lines; a first adhesive zone wherein said adhesive zone is operable to adhere at least one said overlapping panel to at least one said side panel; and a greeting card envelope comprising an envelope base form created from a paper material that is operable to be transformed from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration, wherein said envelope base form includes at least one side panel and side panel bend line at an interface of said side panel and a back panel; a front panel and front panel bend line at an interface of said back panel and said front panel; at least one second adhesive zone operable to adhere at least one said side panel to said front panel, when said base form is transformed form said unfolded configuration to said folded configuration along said bend lines; and a third adhesive zone located on said back panel operable to adhere said greeting card envelope to said side panel of said vase apparatus.
The waterproof material in this embodiment may comprise at least one of a group consisting of poly-coated Solid Bleached Sulphate paperboard, poly-coated Solid Bleached Board, or poly-coated Clay Coated News Back duplex paperboard.
The paper material may consist of cardstock.
The first adhesive zone may comprise at least one of a group consisting of a chemical adhesive applied to said waterproof material, a physical fastener applied to said waterproof material, or a heat activated adhesive process.
The second adhesive zone may comprise a chemical adhesive further comprising at least one of a group consisting of Cyanoacrylate, Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) glue, epoxy, or Hot Melt Adhesive (HMA) glue applied to said envelope base form.
The third adhesive zone may comprise a chemical adhesive further comprising at least one of a group consisting of Cyanoacrylate, Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) glue, epoxy, or Hot Melt Adhesive (HMA) glue applied to said envelope base form.
As will be obvious to anyone of skill in the art, numerous modifications to the features described are possible. Accordingly, the described and illustrated embodiments are to be construed as merely exemplary of the inventive concepts expressed herein and addressed in the appended claims.
The present Vase Apparatus greatly improves upon current paper based and other disposable vases in many ways. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough description of embodiments of the Vase Apparatus. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the embodiments of the Vase Apparatus may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the many benefits of the Vase Apparatus.
Referring first to
Referring next to
Once the adhesive or heating process has been applied to the adhesive zones 109, the cover flap 103 is folded over the top of a side panel 104 toward the interior chamber of the Vase Apparatus created by folding the base form 101, and once fully folded, the cover flap 103 covers the side panel 104 and overlapped folds 111 created by the bend lines. This fold is illustrated in
As can be readily ascertained from the above description, the final shape and size of the Vase Apparatus is limited only by physical limitations of the poly-coated SBS paperboard or other waterproof paper, on its ability to be folded. Thus, in another possible embodiment the size of the bottom panel 105 can be increased relative to the size of the side panels 104 to create a Vase Apparatus that has a larger interior chamber width and depth relative to its height. In other words, the Vase Apparatus in this possible embodiment would be shorter and wider as compared to the one described previously.
Alternatively, in another possible embodiment the size of the bottom panel 105 can be decreased relative to the size of the side panels 104 to create a Vase Apparatus that has a smaller interior chamber width and depth relative to its height. In other words, the Vase Apparatus in this possible embodiment would be taller and narrower as compared to the one described previously. As can be readily ascertained, the ratio of width and depth to height is limited only by the constraints of the base form 101 material and therefore, in the interest of brevity, only these two embodiments have been described even though many others exist and are known to those skilled in the art.
In other possible embodiments, the Vase Apparatus base form 101 could include an increased or decreased the number of side panels 104 so that in the folded configuration the vase Apparatus's final form would be a different polygonal shape from that illustrated above. For example, if the number of side panels 104 is decreased to three, the final shape of the Vase Apparatus would be triangular rather than rectangular. Conversely, if the number of side panels 104 is increased to six then the final shape of the Vase Apparatus would be hexagonal. As can be readily ascertained, the possible embodiment variations of this nature are potentially infinite, except for the limits placed on the number of bend lines and side panels 104 by the physical properties of the material chosen to create the base form 101.
In addition, in any embodiment of the Vase Apparatus, a design may be printed on the base form 101. These designs may include colors, graphics, patterns, or even photographs.
Furthermore, the base form 101 can be made from a variety of materials including poly-coated Solid Bleached Sulphate (“SBS”), Solid Bleached Board (“SBB”), or Clay Coated News Back (“CCNB”) duplex paperboard. Preferably, the chosen material is made from recyclable materials and may be recycled.
In addition to the above, the Vase Apparatus may also include a Greeting Card Envelope that attaches to the Vase Apparatus. Referring now to
To attach the Greeting Card Envelope to the Vase Apparatus, an adhesive, preferably as used on double sided tape or using double sided tape, is placed in a back panel adhesive zone 308. Next, using the adhesive coated back panel adhesive zone 308 is placed against a side panel 104 of a Vase Apparatus, thereby adhering the Greeting Card Envelope to the Vase Apparatus.
Referring now to
As can be readily ascertained from this description, the Greeting Card Envelope may come in many different embodiments. For example, the size and shape of the Greeting Card Envelope can be easily varied to make the Greeting Card Envelope larger or smaller, or to vary the size of cards that may be placed in the envelope.
In other embodiments, the shape of the front panel 305 may be varied to create new looks for the Greeting Card Envelope. For example, the front panel 305 may be shaped as a heart for Valentine's day cards.
Numerous modifications to the features described and shown are possible. Accordingly, the described and illustrated embodiments are to be construed as merely exemplary of the inventive concepts expressed herein and addressed in the appended claims.
