CA2619453A1 - The greeting card vase - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable Greeting Card Vase made from heavy paperboard material which has a waterproof liner and an open top through which flower stems of a bouquet may be received. The unit is to be purchased flat and has an envelope included for delivery to the recipient.

Description

THE GREETING CARD VASE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a Greeting Card Vase for holding cut flowers and an area to act as a greeting card to write a message to the recipient and is intended to be made from inexpensive materials so that the Greeting Card Vase may be disposed of through recycling or garbage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cut flowers are commonly displayed as a bouquet in attractive or colourful containers which complement or enhance the visual appeal of the flowers.
Conventionally, a vase for holding cut flowers is made of transparent or translucent glass or plastic.

When cut flowers are purchased, they have usually been stored in a container which holds water, such as a pail, in order to preserve the flowers in an attractive condition and to prevent wilting and decay. The purchaser is given a bouquet of selected flowers which sometimes are already bundled and is then given the option of wrapping the bouquet in decorative paper which is taped or stapled to form a cone.

The recipient of the bouquet is presented with the paper cone which conceals the flowers from view and which often is wet at the bottom from water dripping from the stems of the flowers. It is not always convenient for the recipient to transfer the bouquet into a Greeting Card Vase, particularly since it is recommended to trim the stems of the Tk flowers before immersing into fresh water. The recipient may be in a public venue where access to a Greeting Card Vase and trimming utensil is limited or not available, or the recipient may be preoccupied with other functions, to immediately trim the bouquet and place the bouquet in water so that it can be displayed and enjoyed. As a result, considerable time may lapse in which the flowers of the bouquet are out of water, from the time of purchase of the bouquet to the time the flowers are received in a Greeting Card Vase ultimately decreasing the life expectancy of the bouquet.

It is known to the Applicant that some flowers, such as roses, are often delivered with the stems received in respective ampoules or floral foam which hold water and keep the roses fresh. This expedient is expensive and has not been widely adopted for use with other less valuable flowers. The recipient is also required to remove the ampoules or floral foam and cut then arrange the flowers into a Greeting Card Vase for display.

An object of the invention is to provide a disposable Greeting Card Vase whereby a cut flower bouquet may be given to the recipient without some of the aforementioned problems as well as to provide an adequate space for a personalized message to the recipient rather than enclosing a separate card that often gets misplaced or disposed of with the wrap the flowers are received in.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a Card Vase comprising of an open container made from self-supporting paperboard and having a waterproof liner which is closed at the bottom and which overlaps the liner at the top peripheral edge of the container.

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Conveniently, the paperboard container will be imprinted with multiple decorative exterior designs for a variety of occasions and consumer preferences along with a blank block area that is suitable for the sender to write messages or greetings personalized to the recipient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, a preferred embodiment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a 3 dimensional concept of the Greeting Card Vase in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a blank for forming the Greeting Card Vase;

Fig. 3 is a picture of design one to demonstrate the graphic design and the area that messages can be written in.

Fig. 4 is a picture of design two to demonstrate the graphic design and the area that messages can be written in.

Fig. 5 is a picture of design three to demonstrate the graphic design and the area that messages can be written in.

Fig. 6 is a picture of design four to demonstrate the graphic design and the area that messages can be written in.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT WITH REFERENCE TO THE
DRAWINGS

The bouquet comprises selected cut flowers arranged to complement one another for display in Fig. 1 and could include additional decorative elements such as small special occasion balloons and the like. The flowers are received in a Greeting Card Vase (A) made in accordance with the invention from inexpensive materials so that the Greeting Card Vase may be thrown out or recycled after use.

The enclosure (B) is preferably made of self-supporting paperboard and, in this case, has been formed into a box of rectangular cross-section which is open at a top end and has a closed bottom end. Conveniently, the closed bottom of the enclosure (C) may comprise a folding bottom lock so that the enclosure may be collapsed during shipping and storage or when the Greeting Card Vase (A) is provided in a kit form as outlined below. The enclosure (B) will advantageously be printed with different decorative exteriors and have an ample area for a greeting, sentiment or social expression to be written by the sender in accordance with the occasion for which the bouquet is being presented. The liner (D) is comprised of a polyethylene bag with a thickness of approximately 0.002 mm white opaque poly, of which the length meets the height of the enclosure (B), the liner (D) having sufficient width to meet the folded top peripheral edge (E) of the enclosure (B) on Fig. 1. The liner (D) is waterproof and contains water indicated by (F) for sustaining the cut flowers and the liner (D) is fixed under the folded peripheral edge (E) which protects the enclosure (B) from water spills and any resulting damage.

It will be appreciated that the Greeting Card Vase (A) may be provided as a kit comprising the paperboard enclosure (B) and the liner (D) in collapsed form, as well as an envelope fit to accommodate the collapsed Greeting Card Vase (A). In this way, purchasers of the kit may create their own floral arrangements and write a personalized message before presenting the bouquet or present the bouquet separately with the collapsed Greeting Card Vase (A) in an envelope as a card. The configuration of the enclosure (B) is known and will not be described in any detail however a diagram, Fig. 1 is attached.

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In use, a bouquet may be presetlted to a recipient for immediate enjoyment and display. The bouquet may be kept in the Greeting Card Vase of the invention for a recommended ? week period and it is entirely at the discretion of the recipient whether to transfer the flowers into a Greeting Card Vase of a more permanent nature.
Trials conducted by the Applicant have deinonstrated that bouquets held in a Greetino, Card Vase according to the invention have not caused any leakat;e and have allowed for flowers to sustain life for an avera(,e expectancy.

lt is understood that several variations may be made to the above described embodiment of the invention without depai-ture from the scope of the appended claims.
ltwill also be appreciated that the afore-mentioned advantages may be re-alized with a container made frorn more permanent materials such as an enclosure made from synthetic plastic.

Claims (5)

1. A Greeting Card Vase comprising of a paperboard enclosure as a top end to define a top peripheral edge and a waterproof liner having a closed bottom, the liner being diminished to fit securely under the top peripheral edge and to receive flower stems of a bouquet to be displayed in the Greeting Card Vase.

2. A Greeting Card Vase according to claim 1 in which the exterior surface of the paperboard enclosure is decorative and is imprinted with a location to add a personalized greeting.

3. A bouquet comprising: a selected number of cut flowers arranged to complement one another for display; a paperboard enclosure open at a top end to define a top peripheral edge; a waterproof liner having a closed bottom and received on said enclosure; the liner secured under the said top peripheral edge and receiving flower stems from said cut flowers; and water contained by the liner.

4. A Greeting Card Vase comprising of a waterproof enclosure open at a top end to define a top peripheral edge to receives said top peripheral edge.

5. A kit for making a Greeting Card Vase comprising of:
a) a paperboard enclosure collapsed to lie flat and adapted to be opened at a tope end to define a top peripheral edge; and b) a waterproof liner having a closed bottom adapted to be received in said enclosure and dimensioned to fit securely under the said top peripheral edge; and c) an envelope to enclose the said Greeting Card Vase