US20060112624A1

US20060112624A1 - Flower bouquet holder and kit

Info

Publication number: US20060112624A1
Application number: US10/983,407
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Bortman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-08
Filing date: 2004-11-08
Publication date: 2006-06-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flower bouquet holder for receiving a flower bouquet formed of a flower bouquet support and a container. The flower bouquet comprises a plurality of flowers. The entire flower bouquet support includes radial perforations or slits extending from a center section thereof. The flower bouquet is inserted into the radial perforations. Support flaps extending from the radial perforations are adapted to contact the received flower bouquet for supporting the flower bouquet within the container. The container is adapted to receive a volume of water for hydrating the flower bouquet for a predetermined length of time, such as one or more days of the lifetime of the flower bouquet. The flower bouquet support can be snap fit onto the container before insertion of the flower bouquet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable flower bouquet holder and kit in which a flower bouquet holder is adapted to receive and support a flower bouquet and is associated with a container for holding water.
2. Description of Related Art
Display holders for flowers are known. U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,245 describes a container for supporting stalk-supporting material, flowers and keepsakes. The stalk-supporting material can absorb and retain water while firmly supporting the flowers. The stalk-supporting material is known as flower foam, a product commonly used by florists. One such suitable product is available under the trademark OASIS®.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,752 discloses a flower care, storage and display device provided with a grid panel having legs extending downward therefrom and supporting the grid panel above a display bucket. The display bucket allows the bottom end of the stem to rest within a body of water in order to hydrate the flower. The legs can be adjustable to a variety of displays and storage bucket diameters.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,107 discloses a combination flower and display container having an open top vase slidably received within a transparent housing. The vase includes a water imperious member covering its open top having a plurality of holes formed therein for receiving individual stems of flowers. A sealant may be utilized around the holes to provide a waterproof unit.
It is desirable to provide a flower bouquet holder and kit in which a flower bouquet can be expeditiously inserted into the holder for supporting the flower bouquet and having an associated water source for providing hydration of the flower bouquet up to the life of the flower bouquet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flower bouquet holder for receiving a flower bouquet formed of a flower bouquet support and a container. The flower bouquet comprises a plurality of flowers. The entire flower bouquet support includes radial perforations or slits extending from a center section thereof. The flower bouquet is inserted into the radial perforations. Support flaps extending from the radial perforations are adapted to contact the received flower bouquet for supporting the flower bouquet within the container. The container is adapted to receive a volume of water for hydrating the flower bouquet for a predetermined length of time, such as one or more days of the lifetime of the flower bouquet. The flower bouquet support can be snap fit onto the container before insertion of the flower bouquet.
The present invention has the advantage of providing a support which can be expeditiously assembled and provides improved hydration over conventional foam hydration products. In the assembled condition, the flower bouquet holder supports the flower bouquet in water and provides a lid for the container for limiting water received in the container from splashing out of the container.
A flower bouquet holder and kit can comprise the flower bouquet holder received within a tote bag for providing both a transport vehicle for flowers and an attractive display.
The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top and side elevational view of an assembled flower bouquet holder in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a top plan view of a flower bouquet support used in the flower bouquet holder.
FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the flower bouquet support upon separation of perforations in the flower bouquet support.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the flower bouquet holder upon receiving a flower bouquet to provide a flower arrangement.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a container for use in the flower bouquet holder.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the flower bouquet holder and kit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of flower bouquet holder 10 in an assembled configuration in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Flower bouquet holder 10 comprises flower bouquet support 12 and container 20. Lip 14 is formed around outer portion 15 of flower bouquet support 12. Rim 22 is formed around top portion 23 of container 20. Lip 14 can snap fit onto rim 22 for coupling flower bouquet support 12 to container 20.
In this embodiment, flower bouquet support 12 has a circular shape. Alternatively, flower bouquet support 12 can have square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal or various shapes.
Flower bouquet support 12 includes a plurality of bias support flaps 16 radially extending from center portion 17 of top surface 11, as shown in FIG. 2A. Perforations 17 or cuts can be made between adjacent bias support flaps 16. For example, bias support flaps 16 can be in a star-shaped configuration having at least six or eight support flaps. Each of bias support flaps 16 are disengaged from adjacent support flaps and are bendable to form opening 18 in flower bouquet support 12, as shown in FIG. 2B.
Flower bouquet 30 is received in opening 18 of flower bouquet support 12, as shown in FIG. 3. Flower bouquet 30 comprises a plurality of flowers 31. Flower bouquet 20 can also include foliage and decorative materials. Upon receiving flower bouquet 30, bias support flaps 16 are pressed downwardly by flower bouquet and surface 19 of each of bias support flaps 16 contacts stems or portions of flower bouquet 30 to tightly support flower bouquet 30 within flower bouquet support 12.
Container 20 includes sidewalls 25 integral with bottom 26, as shown in FIG. 4. Sidewalls 25 have a height of H₁sufficient for holding a predetermined volume of water 27. For example, the predetermined volume of water can hydrate the received flower bouquet for one or more days or up to the life time of flower bouquet 30. The volume of water can be in the range of about 4 ounces to about 20 ounces. Top portion 23 of container 20 can have a shape for matching the shape of top flower bouquet support 12. For example, container 20 can have circular, square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal or various shapes.
Flower bouquet support 12 and container 20 can be formed of plastic. Flower bouquet support 12 can be formed of a flexible material for allowing bias support flaps 16 to bend downwardly and bias support flaps 16 against a received flower bouquet. For example, flower bouquet support 12 can be formed of flexible plastic. A suitable material for flower bouquet support 12 is low density polyethylene (LDPE).
Container 20 can be formed of a rigid material for holding water therein. For example, container 20 can be formed of rigid plastic. A suitable material for container 20 is polypropylene (PP). Flower bouquet support 12 and container 20 can be disposable and recyclable.
During operation, flower bouquet holder 10 can be assembled. Container 20 can be filled with a predetermined volume of water 27. Flower bouquet support 12 is coupled container 20. For example, flower bouquet support 12 can be snapped onto container 20. Flower bouquet 30 is received within flower bouquet support 12 by pressing stems 32 of flower bouquet 30 at center portion 17 of flower bouquet support 12 to form opening 18. Bias support flaps 16 contact stems or portions of flower bouquet 30 for supporting flower bouquet 30 tightly within container 20. Stems 32 of flower bouquet 30 extend within water 27. Flower bouquet support 12 provides a lid for container 20 for preventing water from splashing out of container 20 during transportation of flower bouquet holder 10.
Flower bouquet holder kit 40 comprises flower bouquet holder 10 supporting flower bouquet 30 received within tote bag 42 for providing an easily transportable flower bouquet. Tote bag 42 can be formed of, for example, paper, laminated paper, plastic, polymeric film, cardstock, cardboard or cloth. The material can be generally flexible but have a degree of stiffness to provide a free-standing bag. Tote bag 42 can be formed of a predetermined color. In one embodiment, tote bag 42 can be formed of a color for matching or complimenting flower bouquet 30. Tote bag 42 can have a conventional design including four longitudinal folds 43 dividing tote bag 42 into generally parallel front and rear walls 44, 45 joined to two generally parallel side walls 46. Bottom 47 of tote bag 42 is coupled to or folded from front and rear walls 44, 45 and side walls 46. Bottom 47 provides a flat bottom for supporting a received flower bouquet holder 10.
Tote bag 42 can be provided with a pair of handles 48 in which one handle is attached to front wall 44 and one handle is attached to rear wall 45. Alternatively, handles 48 can be attached to sidewalls 46. Handles 48 can be made of any material such as a flexible material, ribbon, cording or the like. Handles 48 can be attached to tote bag 42 in any suitable fashion.
Inner wrap 50 can be placed within tote bag 42 for covering flower bouquet holder 10. For example, inner wrap 50 can be formed of paper, plastic polymeric film, cardboard or cloth. Inner wrap 50 can be formed of a predetermined color. In one embodiment, inner wrap 50 can be formed of a color for matching or complimenting flower bouquet 30. Inner wrap 50 can also include decorative design 52.
It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A flower bouquet holder comprising:

a container adapted for receiving water; and

a flower bouquet support adapted for supporting a received flower bouquet;

said flower bouquet support comprising a plurality of support flaps radially extending from a top surface of said flower bouquet support and said flower bouquet support being removably coupled to said container.

2. The flower bouquet support of claim 1 wherein said plurality of support flaps have a star-shaped configuration.

3. The flower bouquet support of claim 2 comprising at least six support flaps.

4. The flower bouquet holder of claim 1 wherein said container comprises sidewalls integral with a bottom, said sidewalls having a height for receiving a predetermined volume of said water.

5. The flower bouquet holder of claim 4 wherein said predetermined volume of water is an amount of water for hydrating said flower bouquet for at least one day.

6. The flower bouquet holder of claim 5 wherein said predetermined volume of water is in the range of about four ounces to about twenty ounces.

7. The flower bouquet holder of claim 1 wherein said support flaps are bendable and are adapted to contact stems or portion of the received flower bouquet.

8. The flower bouquet holder of claim 1 wherein said flower bouquet support is formed of flexible plastic.

9. The flower bouquet holder of claim 1 wherein said flower bouquet support is formed of low density polyethylene.

10. The flower bouquet holder of claim 1 wherein said container is formed of rigid plastic.

11. The flower bouquet holder of claim 1 wherein said container is formed of polypropylene.

12. The flower bouquet holder of claim 1 wherein said flower bouquet support snap fits onto said container.

13. The flower bouquet holder of claim 1 wherein said flower bouquet support comprises a lip at an outer portion thereof and said container comprises a rim formed at a top portion thereof and said rim of said container snap fits onto said lip of said flower bouquet support.

14. The flower bouquet holder of claim 1 wherein said flower bouquet comprises a plurality of flowers.

15. The flower bouquet holder of claim 14 wherein said flower bouquet further comprises flower arrangement materials.

16. The flower bouquet holder of claim 1 wherein said top surface of said flower bouquet support has a shape selected from circular, square, rectangular, triangular or polygonal and a top of said container has a corresponding shape.

17. The flower bouquet holder of claim 1 wherein said top surface of said flower bouquet support has a circular shape and a top of said container has a corresponding circular shape.

18. A method of supporting a flower bouquet comprising the steps of:

providing a container for receiving water for hydrating a flower bouquet;

filling said container with water; and

coupling a flower bouquet support to said container, said flower bouquet support comprising a plurality of support flaps radially extending from a top surface of said flower bouquet support and said flower bouquet support being removably coupled to said container.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said step of coupling a flower bouquet support to said container comprises snap fitting said flower bouquet support onto said container.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said plurality of support flaps have a star-shaped configuration.

21. A flower bouquet holder kit comprising:

a tote bag for receiving a flower bouquet holder;

said flower bouquet holder comprising a container adapted for receiving water; and

a flower bouquet support adapted for supporting a received flower bouquet said flower bouquet support comprising a plurality of support flaps radially extending from a top surface of said flower bouquet support and said flower bouquet support being removably coupled to said container.

22. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said tote bag comprises generally parallel front and rear walls joined to a pair of side walls and a bottom, said bottom supporting a received said flower bouquet holder.

23. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 22 wherein said tote bag is formed of a material with a degree of stiffness to provide a free standing bag.

24. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said tote bag is formed of a predetermined color for matching or complimenting said flower bouquet.

25. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said tote bag further comprises a pair of handles attached to said tote bag.

26. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said tote bag further comprises a pair of handles attached to said front and rear walls of said tote bag.

27. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said tote bag further comprises a pair of handles attached to said side walls of said tote bag.

28. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 further comprising an inner wrap placed within said tote bag for covering said flower bouquet support.

29. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 27 wherein said inner wrap is formed of a predetermined color.

30. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 27 wherein said inner wrap includes a decorative design.

31. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said container comprises sidewalls integral with a base, said sidewalls having a height for receiving a predetermined volume of said water.

32. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 31 wherein said predetermined volume of water is an amount of water for hydrating said flower bouquet for one or more days or the life of said flower bouquet.

33. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 31 wherein said predetermined volume of water is in the range of about four ounces to about twenty ounces.

34. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said support flaps are bendable and are adapted to contact stems or portion of the received flower bouquet.

35. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said flower bouquet support is formed of flexible plastic.

36. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said flower bouquet support is formed of low density polyethylene.

37. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said container is formed of rigid plastic.

38. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said container is formed of polypropylene.

39. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said flower bouquet support snap fits onto said container.

40. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said flower bouquet support comprises a lip at an outer portion thereof and said container comprises a rim formed at a top portion thereof and said rim of said container snap fits onto said lip of said flower bouquet support.

41. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said flower bouquet comprises a plurality of flowers.

42. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 41 wherein said flower bouquet further comprises flower arrangement materials.

43. The flower bouquet holder kit of claim 21 wherein said top surface of said flower bouquet support has a shape selected from circular, square, rectangular, triangular or polygonal and a top of said container has a corresponding shape.

44. A flower bouquet holder comprising:

a container adapted for receiving water; and

a flower bouquet support adapted for supporting a received flower bouquet;

said flower bouquet support comprising a plurality of support flaps radially extending from a top surface of said flower bouquet support and said flower bouquet support being removably coupled to said container wherein said plurality of support flaps have a star-shaped configuration.