GB2191692A

GB2191692A - Improvements in flower holders

Info

Publication number: GB2191692A
Application number: GB08714276A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Joseph Foster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-06-19
Filing date: 1987-06-18
Publication date: 1987-12-23
Also published as: GB8714276D0; GB2191692B; AU7587987A; WO1987007823A1

Abstract

A flower (10) comprises a support layer (11) provided with a plurality of weakened portions (12) over its surface. Such portions (12) are in the form of circular depressions having a plurality of slots (13) provided therein. The support layer (11) is provided with a grooved rim (14) at the lateral edges thereof. The flower holder also comprises a lower support layer (31) provided with a plurality of weakened portions (32) and has a grooved rim (34) at the lateral edges thereof. The flower holder also includes a base member (21) having a grooved rim (22) which incorporates with the associated rim of the support layers (11 and 31).

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in Flower Holders The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to flower holders.

There are various types of flower holders on the market. The most popular at the present time is absorbent foam material. However, such material suffers from the disadvantages that once the stalk of a flower is inserted into a block of foam material, the block is thereby weakened and it is difficult to effect any reorientation of the flowers once inserted.

Furthermore, such block of foam material requires constant replenishment with water since the material acts in the form of a wick and diffuses the water vapour into the atmosphere.

A flower holder forms the subject matter of my U.K. Patent Specification No. 1169196. Whilst such flower holder has many advantages, problems have occurred in respect of providing holes in the expanded polystyrene sheet material.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flower holder which overcomes the disadvantages which arise in the use of a block of foam material as well as improving the flower holder of my U.K.

Patent No. 1169196.

Throughout the specification and claims it is to be understood that the expression "flower hoider" is intended to include holders for flora of every description, including non-flowering plants.

I have discovered that an improved flower holder can be obtained if the previously utilised expanded polystyrene sheet material is repiaced by rigid plastics material, such material having preformed weakened portions for location of the stalk of the flower.

According to the present invention there is provided an improved flower holder comprising a support means formed of a layer of rigid plastics material, said support means being deformed in a direction out of the plane between its lateral edges so as to have an arcuate portion in which said support means, is provided with a plurality of weakened portions in said arcuate region whereby a flower stem, when inserted through one of said weakened portions, is held in position.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an additional support means is utilised, said additional support means preferably comprising another layer of rigid plastics material, a block of foam material, or a frame member having a web-or mesh-like interior.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved flower holder comprising a support means formed of a layer of rigid plastics material, said support means being deformed in a direction out of the plane between its lateral edges so as to have an arcuate portion, said support means being provided with a plurality of weakened portions in said arcuate region, a base member on which the support means is located and additional support means located within the base member whereby a flower stem, when inserted through one of said weakened portions of said support means and through a region of said additional support means, is held in position.

The weakened portions are preferably in the form of circular, square, rectangular or other shaped depressions which are provided in the arcuate region of the support means. Such support means is preferably hemispherical in shape.

The weakened portions may be in the form of preformed depressions and be provided with a plurality of cut-lines and perforations.

In its lateral edge regions, the support means is preferably provided with a grooved rim which corresponds to a grooved rim preferably provided in the base member. Such arrangement enables the support means and the base member to be fastened together without requiring stapling etc.

The additional support means is located within the base member and is preferably in the form of a frame having suitable web-like or mesh-like means so as to securely locate the stem of a flower.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved flower holder comprising an upper support layer and a lower support layer, each layer being formed of rigid plastics material, said layers being joined along their respective lateral edges in a common plane, and both being deformed in the same direction out of said plane between said lateral edges so as to have superimposed arcuate portions, the arc of the upper support layer being of greater radius of curvature than that of the lower support layer so that said layers are in spaced relation between said lateral edges thereof, said layers being provided with a plurality of weakened portions in said arcuate region, the pattern of weakened portions being the same for the upper and lower support layers and respective weakened portions being aligned with one another whereby a flower stem, when inserted into one of said weakened portions in each layer, is held in position.

The weakened portions are preferably in the form of circular, square or rectangular depressions provided in the arcuate region of each support layer and each support layer is preferably hemispherical in shape.

The weakened portions can be in the form of preformed depressions and be provided with a plurality of cut lines and perforations.

Being formed of rigid plastics material in the region where no weakening takes place, enables a strengthened structure to be formed and thereby enabling a thinner grade of material to be used. The provision of preformed depressions in the surface of each arcuate portion of each support layer provides the correct tension when inserting a flower stem.

The weakened portions can be provided by a prepunching technique which avoids the use of a bodkin or the like.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the depressions are in the form of circular depressions having a plurality preferably six, of slots or the like.

The upper and lower support layers are generally provided with means, such as suitable marking, so that the layers can be correctly aligned one above the other.

In the lateral edge regions, each support layer is provided with a grooved rim which enables the two layers to be fastened together without the use of staples or the like.

The improved flower holder generally also includes a base member, the lateral edges of which are provided with a grooved rim which corresponds to the grooved rim provided in the upper and lower support layers. Such arrangement enables the three components to be fastened together by means of the grooved rim without requiring stapling, etc. The base member is generally deformed in the direction opposite to the support layers so as to form, with the lower layer, a hollow compartment for accommodating water or the like. In addition, if the device on its own is considered to be too lightweigth, then suitable ballast means can be provided in the base member.

When the base member has water therein, then the seal produced by fastening the three components together effectively retains the water and prevents evaporation thereof.

In order to enable the flower holder to be carried, a handle may also be provided. Such handle is of a three part structure comprising an arcuate main handle member and two arcuate subsidiary members, the two subsidiary members being pivotally connectable to the main handle member and the free ends of the subsidiary handle members being provided with means enabling same to be attached to the lateral edges of the upper support layer and the base member in the region of the grooved rim. In use, the arcuate subsidiary handle members are located at approximately 90 to the plane of the main arcuate handle member. Such arrangement provides good balance and also enables the flowers to be worked through the handle members into the holder of the invention.

Eventually, when all the flowers have been inserted, the subsidiary handle members, as well as the main handle member will be hidden by the flowers.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. lisa perspective view from above of a flower holder in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view from below of the holder of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a holder in accordance with the present invention showing the upper support layer, lower support layer and base member separated from one another; Fig. 4 is a section through the holder of the present invention illustrating the member in which the stems of the flowers are inserted; Fig. 5 is a perspective view from above of a flower holder in accordance with the invention having a handle associated therewith;; Fig. 6 is a sectional view th rough a flower holder in accordance with another aspect of the present invention; and Figs. 7 and 8 show alternative arrangements of additional support means.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the flower holder is generally referenced 10. The upper support layer 11 is provided with a plurality of weakened portions 12 over its surface. Such portions 12 are in the form of circular depressions having a plurality of slots 13 provided therein. The preferred arrangement is to have six slots arranged symmetrically in the circular depression.

The preformed depressions are suitably provided by locating the shaped surface on a suitable mandrel and then pre-punching the surface utilising a punching head having an appropriate number of members to provide the required number of slots.

Such depressions are suitably formed by rotating the mandrel and carrying out the punching operation at present locations over the surface of the support layer.

The upper support layer 11 is provided with a grooved rim 14 at the lateral edges thereof.

Moreover, means 15 are provided so that the upper support layer and the lower support layer can be correctly aligned.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the base member 21 is provided with a grooved rim 22 which co-operates with the rim of the upper support layer 11 as well as the lower support layer to provide a threecomponent arrangement.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the upper support layer 11, the base 21 and the lower support layer 31 are shown separated from one another. It can be seen that the lower support layer 31 is provided with a plurality of weakened portions 32 which correspond to the location of the weakened portions 12 on the upper support layer 11. Means 33 are provided on the rim 34 of the lower support layer 31 to align with the alignment means 15 of the upper support layer 11.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, in use, the lower support layer 31 is spaced apart from the upper support layer 11. The stem 41 of a flower is shown as passing through the depression 12 in the upper layer 11 and the corresponding aligned depression 32 in the lower layer 31. Such arrangement ensures that the flower stem is held firmly in position. The end of the stem passes into the hollow region of the base member where water is located so that the flower can be kept alive.

Fig. 4 also illustrates the means by which the lateral edges of the upper support layer 11, the lower support layer 31 and the base member 21 are fastened together.

Fig. 5 shows the device of the invention 10 having a handle associated therewith. The handle comprises a generally arcuate main handle portion 51 and two subsidiary handle members 52 and 52'.

The members 52 and 52' are pivotally connected to the main arcuate handle member 51 at 53 and 53' respectively. The reason for the free pivotal movement of the subsidiary arcuate handle members 52 and 52' is that whichever subsidiary handle member is first located in position then the other subsidiary handle member can be pivoted so as to be attachable to the lateral edges of the upper support layer 11, lower support layer 31 and base member 21. Such attachment is effected by means of members 54 and 54' being connectable to the grooved rim provided in each of the members 11.31 and 21.

The use of a three part handle is particulary beneficial from a balance point of view as well as enabling flowers to be worked through them into the device 10 of the invention. When the flower arrangement has been completed, the subsidiary handles and the main handle will be partially concealed.

A further advantage of the aspect of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 is in the transportation of the device before use. As can be appreciated, a plurality of upper support members can be located one above the other as can a plurality of lower support members. In a similar manner, a plurality of base members can be located one upon the other.

The handles can be laid flat to occupy minimum space. Accordingly, in the case of a box which would normally be used for locating say 50 blocks of foam material, such size box could contain hundreds of upper support layers, base members and handles to make up hundreds of flower holders in accordance with the invention.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, the support layer 11 is located on base member 62. The support layer 11 has the same configuration of weakened portions as shown in Fig. 1.

The support layer 11 has a grooved rim 63 which co-operates with the rim 64 of base member 62 so as to securely locate the support layer in position.

An additional support means 65 is located in the base member 62. Such support means is preferably of such size that same can be fitted into the interior of base member 62 and be firmly held in place therein.

The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 6 is such that when a stem is passed through a weakened portion in support layer 11, same can then pass through the additional support means 65 and be held in position.

The additional support means 65 is suitably in the form of a frame member having a web-like or meshlike configuration so that the stem can be firmly held in position.

By way of example, the frame member 65' illustrated in Fig. 7 has a plurality of criss-cross members 71,72, etc. located therein. On the other hand, the frame member 65" illustrated in Fig. 8 has a plurality of radial arm members 81 extending from the centre and a pair of circular members 82. Both types of arrangements are suitable to form a mesh or web within the frame member which will permit the stem of a flower to be passed therethrough and be laterally supported thereby.

Any other suitable form of frame member may be utilised, as long as same laterally supports the stem of a flower.

Whilst mention has been made of the use of a single support layer together with an additional support means it may be possible, in certain instances, to utilise a single support layer on its own without any additional support means. In such case, the support layer would be as defined above.

However, for most applications it is considered that a single support layer would not provide sufficient support for the stem of a flower.

It is believed that the devices of the present invention have numerous advantages over and above that of the current use of foam material blocks.

Additional securing means may be utilised to support flowers having particularly long and/or thick stems. In this connection, one could insert a block of foam material in the base of the container which block would constitute additional supporting means.

In a further embodiment, it is possible to utilise a single support layer in combination with a block of foam material in the base of the container.

Claims

1. Aflower holder comprising a support means formed of a layer of rigid plastics material, said support means being deformed in a direction out of the plane between its lateral edges so as to have an arcuate portion, in which said support means is provided with a plurality of weakened portions in said arcuate region whereby a flower stem, when inserted through one of said weakened portions, is held in position.

2. A flower holder as claimed in claim 1, including an additional support means.

3. Aflower holder as claimed in claim 2, in which the additional support means comprises a second layer of rigid plastics material, a block of foam material or a frame member having a web-like or mesh-like interior.

4. A flower holder comprising a support means formed of a layer of rigid plastics material, said support means being deformed in a direction out of the plane between its lateral edges so as to have an arcuate portion, said support means being provided with a plurality of weakened portions in said arcuate region, a base member on which the support means is located and additional support means located within the base member whereby a flower stem, when inserted through one of said weakened portions of said support means and through a region of said additional support means, is held in position.

5. A flower holder as claimed in claim 4, in which the support means, in its lateral edge regions, is provided with a grooved rim which corresponds to a grooved rim provided in the base member.

6. A flower holder as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which the additional support means is in the form of a frame having web-like or mesh-like means so as, in use, to securely locate the stem of a flower.

7. A flower holder as claimed in claim 6 comprising an upper support layer and a lower support layer, each layer being formed of rigid plastics material, said layers being joined aiong their respective lateral edges in a common plane, and both being deformed in the same direction out of said plane between said lateral edges so as to have superimposed arcuate portions, the arc of the upper support layer being of greater radius of curvature than that of the lower support layer so that said layers are in spaced relation between said lateral edges thereof, said layers being provided with a plurality of weakened portions in said arcuate region, the pattern of weakened portions being the same for the upper and lower support layers and respective weakened portions being aligned with one another whereby a flower stem, when inserted into one of said weakened portions in each layer, is held in position.

8. A flower holder as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upper and lower support layers are proveded with marking means so that the layers can be correctly aligned one above the other.

9. A flower holder as claimed in claim 7 or 8, in which each support layer is provided with a grooved rim which enables the two layers to be fastened together.

10. A flower holder as claimed in claim 9, including a base member, the lateral edges of which are provided with a grooved rim which corresponds to the grooved rim provided in the upper and lower support layers.

11. A flower holder as claimed in claim 10, in which the base member is deformed in the direction opposite to the support layers so as to form, with the lower layer, a hollow compartment for accommodating water or the like.

12. A flower holder as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the weakened portions are in the form of circular, square or rectangular depressions which are provided in the arcuate region of the support means.

13. A flower holder as claimed in claim 12, in which the weakened protions are in the form of preformed depressions and are provided with a plurality of cut-lines and perforations.

14. A flower holder as claimed in claim 13, in which the depressions are in the form of circular depressions having a plurality of slots.

15. A flower holder as claimed in any preceding claim, also including a handle in the form of a three part structure comprising an arcuate main handle and two arcuate subsidiary members, the two subsidiary members being pivotally connectable to the main handle member and the free ends of the subsidiary handle members being provided with means enabling same to be attached to the lateral edges of the support means.

16. A flower holder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.