GB2147205A - Device for forming an arrangement of differing objects on a base - Google Patents

Abstract

A cover 12 containing a number of apertures 13 is placed over a base 11 made of so-called "floral foam". Dried flowers 10 or the like are then inserted through the apertures 13 into the base 11 in accordance with instructions contained in a "menu" card (14, Fig. 2). Each aperture 13 has a respective alphanumeric character associated therewith, and the instructions indicate the length and type of flower which is to be inserted through the aperture associated with each character. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for Forming an Arrangement of Differing Objects on a Base This invention relates to a device for forming an arrangement of differing objects on a base, and in particular for forming floral arrangements.

The production of pleasing floral arrangements involves a fair degree of skill and flair on the part of the arranger, and normally is beyond the scope of a person who has not had training for this purpose. It is an object of this invention to provide a device whereby a relatively unskilled person can easily reproduce an arrangement originally formed by an expert.

According to the present invention, a device for forming an arrangement of differing objects on a base comprises a series of legends associated with respective different locations in the base, and means co-ordinating the legend associated with each of said locations with a respective one of said objects, whereby the legends determine a particular arrangement in which the objects may be mounted on the base.

Preferably, the legends are carried by a cover which overlies the base in use and which has a series of apertures therein corresponding in position to said locations on the base, and each object is mounted on the base by way of a stem portion which is insertable through the respective aperture into the base.

The co-ordinating means can comprise a series of "menu" cards each of which co-ordinates the legends with a different arrangement of the objects.

If desired, the co-ordinating means can also specify the order of the locations in which the objects are mounted on the base.

Conveniently, the legends are in the form of alphanumeric characters.

The objects can be flowers (whether cut, artificial or dried) in which case the base is preferably made of a rigid plastics foam (i.e. a so-called "floral foam").

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a base, a cover, and various dried flowers which form part of a device according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows a "menu" card which also forms part of the device.

Referring first to Figure 1, the illustrated device is intended to form an arrangement of dried flowers 10 of various types on a base 11 made of a so-called "floral foam" material, i.e. a rigid water-absorbent plastics foam into which the stems of the flowers 10 can be inserted. A cover or sleeve 12 of the same general shape as the base 11 is provided and has a series of apertures 13 therein, through which the flower stems can be inserted into the base 11 when the cover 12 overlies the base, each of the apertures 13 having associated therewith a respective alphanumeric character on the cover 12. Thus, when the cover 12 is positioned over the base 11, each of the alphanumeric characters corresponds to a predetermined location on the base itself.

Figure 2 illustrates a "menu" card 14 containing instructions for forming a particular floral arrangement, which arrangement may itself be depicted on the card as indicated at 15. The instructions list the various alphanumeric characters in the order of the aforesaid locations in which the flowers 10 are to be inserted in the base 11, and also indicate the particular length and type of flower which is to be used at each location. Thus, by following the instructions and inserting the flowers in turn through the apertures 13 in the cover 12, the user is able to reproduce the original floral arrangement depicted in the "menu" card 14.

It is desirable that a series of "menu" cards 14 are provided, each containing instructions for producing a different floral arrangement from the same basic set of dried flowers.

Although not illustrated, the instructions contained on the "menu" card 14 also give an indication of the angle at which the stem of a particular flower is to be inserted into the base 11.

This angle could be one of, say, three different predetermined angles, and an angle meter bearing just these particular angles could be provided.

Although the invention has been described above in relation to the arrangement of dried flowers, it is equally applicable to cut flowers and artificial flowers, and indeed to any other objects which are capable of being arranged in an artistic or aesthetically appealing manner.

1. A device for forming an arrangement of differing objects on a base, comprising a series of legends associated with respective different locations on the base, and means co-ordinating the legend associated with each of said locations with a respective one of said objects, whereby the legends determines a particular arrangement in which the objects may be mounted on the base.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legends are carried by a cover which overlies the base in use and which has a series of apertures therein corresponding in position to said locations on the base, and each object is mounted on the base by way of a stem portion which is insertable through the respective aperture into the base.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the co-ordinating means comprises a series of "menu" cards each of which co-ordinates the legends with a different arrangement of the objects.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the co-ordinating means specifies the order of the locations in which the objects are mounted on the base.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the legends are in the form of alphanumeric characters.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the objects are in the form of cut, artificial or dried flowers.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base is made of a rigid plastics foam.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Device for Forming an Arrangement of Differing Objects on a Base This invention relates to a device for forming an arrangement of differing objects on a base, and in particular for forming floral arrangements. The production of pleasing floral arrangements involves a fair degree of skill and flair on the part of the arranger, and normally is beyond the scope of a person who has not had training for this purpose. It is an object of this invention to provide a device whereby a relatively unskilled person can easily reproduce an arrangement originally formed by an expert. According to the present invention, a device for forming an arrangement of differing objects on a base comprises a series of legends associated with respective different locations in the base, and means co-ordinating the legend associated with each of said locations with a respective one of said objects, whereby the legends determine a particular arrangement in which the objects may be mounted on the base. Preferably, the legends are carried by a cover which overlies the base in use and which has a series of apertures therein corresponding in position to said locations on the base, and each object is mounted on the base by way of a stem portion which is insertable through the respective aperture into the base. The co-ordinating means can comprise a series of "menu" cards each of which co-ordinates the legends with a different arrangement of the objects. If desired, the co-ordinating means can also specify the order of the locations in which the objects are mounted on the base. Conveniently, the legends are in the form of alphanumeric characters. The objects can be flowers (whether cut, artificial or dried) in which case the base is preferably made of a rigid plastics foam (i.e. a so-called "floral foam"). The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a base, a cover, and various dried flowers which form part of a device according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows a "menu" card which also forms part of the device. Referring first to Figure 1, the illustrated device is intended to form an arrangement of dried flowers 10 of various types on a base 11 made of a so-called "floral foam" material, i.e. a rigid water-absorbent plastics foam into which the stems of the flowers 10 can be inserted. A cover or sleeve 12 of the same general shape as the base 11 is provided and has a series of apertures 13 therein, through which the flower stems can be inserted into the base 11 when the cover 12 overlies the base, each of the apertures 13 having associated therewith a respective alphanumeric character on the cover 12. Thus, when the cover 12 is positioned over the base 11, each of the alphanumeric characters corresponds to a predetermined location on the base itself. Figure 2 illustrates a "menu" card 14 containing instructions for forming a particular floral arrangement, which arrangement may itself be depicted on the card as indicated at 15. The instructions list the various alphanumeric characters in the order of the aforesaid locations in which the flowers 10 are to be inserted in the base 11, and also indicate the particular length and type of flower which is to be used at each location. Thus, by following the instructions and inserting the flowers in turn through the apertures 13 in the cover 12, the user is able to reproduce the original floral arrangement depicted in the "menu" card 14. It is desirable that a series of "menu" cards 14 are provided, each containing instructions for producing a different floral arrangement from the same basic set of dried flowers. Although not illustrated, the instructions contained on the "menu" card 14 also give an indication of the angle at which the stem of a particular flower is to be inserted into the base 11. This angle could be one of, say, three different predetermined angles, and an angle meter bearing just these particular angles could be provided. Although the invention has been described above in relation to the arrangement of dried flowers, it is equally applicable to cut flowers and artificial flowers, and indeed to any other objects which are capable of being arranged in an artistic or aesthetically appealing manner. CLAIMS

1. A device for forming an arrangement of differing objects on a base, comprising a series of legends associated with respective different locations on the base, and means co-ordinating the legend associated with each of said locations with a respective one of said objects, whereby the legends determines a particular arrangement in which the objects may be mounted on the base.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legends are carried by a cover which overlies the base in use and which has a series of apertures therein corresponding in position to said locations on the base, and each object is mounted on the base by way of a stem portion which is insertable through the respective aperture into the base.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the co-ordinating means comprises a series of "menu" cards each of which co-ordinates the legends with a different arrangement of the objects.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the co-ordinating means specifies the order of the locations in which the objects are mounted on the base.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the legends are in the form of alphanumeric characters.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the objects are in the form of cut, artificial or dried flowers.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base is made of a rigid plastics foam.

8. A device for forming an arrangement of differing objects on a base, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.