GB2446714A

GB2446714A - Flower holding device

Info

Publication number: GB2446714A
Application number: GB0802657A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Joseph Foster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-14
Filing date: 2008-02-13
Publication date: 2008-08-20
Also published as: WO2008099172A1; GB0702785D0; GB0802657D0

Abstract

A device 1 for holding flower stems comprising tubular portions which each have at least one resiliently and/or flexibly deflectable or deformable wall or base portion 4 to grippingly engage the stem. The tubular portions 3 are of a depth/length and/or dimension such that the side walls may also support a stem. The tubular portions 3 can be circular (fig 15) or hexagonally (fig 1,4) shaped having smooth sides with the same cross sectional area from top to bottom or can taper inwards (fig16). The resiliently engaging portion 4 can be formed from slots in flaps which extend from the tube walls or, when the tubular portion tapers in, are slits or slots cut into the tube wall(22; fig 16). The tubular portion may be integrally formed with adjacent tubes sharing common wall portions such that a honeycomb structure is formed. Alternatively, the tubular portions are joined by partial crosspieces which may include a plurality of slits to aid flexibility (fig 15). The device can be curved or crowned to enhance the arrangement of the flowers and is attached to a vase by clips or hooks.

Description

IMPROVED FLOWER HOLDING DEVICE

The present invention relates to an improved flower holding device for use in the mouth of a vase or the like container.

In my earlier UK Patent GB 2 191 692 there is described a flower holder device having an upper support layer (11) provided with a plurality of weakened portions (12) over its surface in the form of circular depressions having a plurality of slots (13) concentrically located in the circular depression to form portions deflectable by insertion of the flower stem and to engage such and hold such in position. A similar lower support layer (31) is also provided with weakened portion (32) aligned with those of the upper layer.

Whilst the device has been particularly successful, it does have a certain restriction in that it comprises a plurality of components and such may be expensive to produce also can only be used with a vase or other water containing vessel of particular diameter at its mouth and thus often is supplied with an especially provided sized vase and thus does not have the capability of fitting vases of various diameter.

The present invention is an improvement over the earlier device in that it may comprising one main supporting component although may additionally have the further improvement of having vessel size-adaption means

connectable thereto.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for supporting flowers or the elongate stems of other items for facilitating floral or like displays and locatable in the mouth of a vase or other vessel, comprising a honeycomb-like or cellular structure wherein each of a plurality of cells of the structure includes a side wall or side walls defining a tubular or sleeve-like portion and having resiliently or elastically deflectable portions such as extending across or partly across the tubular portion and or formed by deflectable side members, deflectable by a stem or the like elongate member as it is passed through the cell and such as to engage the stem.

In one embodiment the tubular portions are integrally formed with adjacent cells sharing common wall portions -more closely like a honeycomb -and providing strength to the structure and/or extending above said deflectable portions by an amount sufficient to act on a stem portion to support such in an upwardly extending portion. As mentioned, in this embodiment the cells share common wall portions but in an alternative but preferred embodiment, to be described later, the side walls defining the main body of each cell are discrete/independent and preferably are tapered and preferably have slits defining deflectabte portions or may simply comprise deflectable fingers or projections, preferably converging in a downward direction, which are deflectable on passage of a stem. Preferably a mounting member is provided having downwardly converging side walls or portions for being received in the mouths of different sized vases.

Preferably the device will be curved or arcuate or ucn)wnecr so as to enhance the appearance of any arrangement of flowers utilising the device in that the stems are held diverging from the device all around such.

In the ucommon wall portion embodiment, preferably the tubular portions will be formed from planar or flat sided wall portions and preferably be hexagonal and/or substantially hexagonal when viewed from above.

In the "common wall portion" embodiment, preferably the deflectable portions will be provided by partial crosspieces preferable closing the normally lower end of each tubular portion and which include a plurality of slits or slots extending radially outward from a central aperture towards the wall portions, and preferably stopping before such so as to form a plurality of pointed or part triangular portions or flaps flexibly hinged by virtue of the nature of the material, which will be flexible and preferably resilient material, so as to return to their original position when not deflected by a flower stem or other elongate. Preferably six slits or slots will be provided in each cross-piece or bottom wall with each extending from central aperture towards an angled portion or corner of the hexagonal tubular arrangement, when provided. Preferably the periphery of the device will have a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom and preferably spaced at intervals around the periphery of the walls.

Preferably the outermost surfaces of the "common wall portion" embodiment device, which may be said preferred projections, will be inclined extending outwardly and upwardly away from the lowermost part of the device so that the device may sit in the mouth of a vase connected like a stopper such as to provide a plurality of container -engaging portions and/or to provide for additional stem or other material receiving recesses around the periphery of the device to enable for improved floral displays. Preferably a tie or other pliant or flexible elongate means may be provided around the periphery (e.g. such as a rubber band) to provide for additional containment/retention. This arrangement provides in effect a plurality of external open bottomed partial peripheral cells. A line joining the peripheral extremities of the device, normally the ends of the projections, will be preferably circular.

In an alternative embodiment the cells do not share common side walls but rather are discrete cells, preferably in the form of tapering pockets or tubular sleeves, reducing in cross-section downwardly, and preferably each with a plurality of slits or slots extending from a preferably open bottom of each sleeve part way along the wall thereof to provide flexible resiliently deflectable portions for stem retention. In this "discrete sleeve" embodiment, the upper ends of the sleeves are joined or connected together to form the cellular structure, possibly preferably by being moulded together from the same material, preferably plastics material. Preferably the sleeves are only joined together by flexible hinge portions only in the regions where they are closest together allowing a small space or gap or aperture (usually in the space between the torso of three sleeves in the regions of the device other than the edge where only two are present) to facilitate the flexing of the whole sheet of sleeves, (i.e. the device), to be desired curvature or "doming" In the "discrete sleeve" embodiment, the sleeves are preferably only closest to each other at their normally uppermost and preferably widest diameter ends.

In an alternative and preferred aspect of the invention especially from an ease of moulding point of view, the arrangement of the sleeve-like or tubular portions or pockets is assembled from individual pockets which are joined together.

Thus according to a broad aspect of the invention defined in claim 1, there is provided a device for holding flowers or the like stems comprising a plurality of pockets or tubular portions or parts each having at least one resiliently and/or flexibly deflectable or deformable wall or base portion which is or are such as, in use, to grippingly engage a stem when deflected/deformed thereby, said pockets or tubular portions being of a depth/length and/or dimension such that the side wall(s) defining such and/or an upper part of the device may also support a stem above the resiliently deflectable or deformable wall or base portion.

Whilst the device so far described in either of the embodiments may sit in the mouth or upper portion of a vase or other container or vessel which may be especially designed for use therewith and have similarly co-operating side wall portions in the mouth for suitable co-operative abutment and retention, the present invention also provides for the possibility of utilisation of the device with differently sized vases or containers, which may be pre-existing, by means of at least one and preferably a plurality of adaptors or retaining devices located or locatable around the periphery of the device. Such retaining devices may comprise a hook-like portion or clip engageable over the rim of a vase or other container and/or a resiliently deflectable vase-

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mouth-engaging means contactable with an inner surface of the mouth of a vase for friction engagement therewith or preferably a stopper like/plug like supported within the mouth of the vase. Preferably such retaining devices are detachably connectable to the main part of the flower holding device and preferably, for example, by means of a sliding or snap-fit arrangement such as a tongue and groove or dovetail-like projection arrangement located on an upwardly blind/closed receiving channel. Preferably the attachment/adaptor retaining device comprises a resilient bent-over portion having an access channel for the lip of a vase when such is located thereover (somewhat in the manner of a large pen clip) and/or has a main resilient stem portion inwardly deflectable by the contact pressure of the mouth of the vase as the device is pushed thereinto to form a pressure or press-fit supporting relationship with the vase.

The retaining device is preferably in the form of support clip engageable with the top of the vase and preferably detachably connectable to the device.

Preferably the flower holding device and retain device will be formed of plastics material and with the necessary portions or parts preferably being suitably resiliently deflectable.

According to a broad aspect of the invention, a floral display device comprises a honeycomb-like or cellular structure having a plurality of cells or sleeves with each cell or sleeve having a stem engaging part or portion which is preferably resiliently deflectable on insertion/passage of a stem and acts to hold said stem in position.

Also according to the invention there is provided a device for holding flowers or the like stems comprising a plurality of interconnected pockets or interconnected sleeve-like tubular portions, preferably of the same horizontal cross section such as hexagonal or circular horizontal cross section and preferably tapering or reducing in cross section downwardly to preferably form inverted conical pockets, with a resiliently deflectable or deformable wall portion in each such as to engage a stem when deflected/deformed thereby.

Preferably a mounting means is provided for the device having downwardly converging exterior side surfaces. The device may be welded or connected by press fit or other means to the mounting means and vase-mounting clips may be provided peripheral to the extension of the mounting means and preferably removable.

The present invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -Fig. I is a perspective view of a flower holding device forming a preferred embodiment of the invention showing two support or retaining clips detached from mounting portions therefore on the main body of the device; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail showing a lower part of the device of Fig. I and a mounting means for a retaining clip located therein; Fig. 3 is a perspective view from above of the device of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view from above of the holding device without the retaining clips being shown; Fig. 5 is a plan view from below of the device of Fig. 4 and in which the white/light portions are the vase or crosspieces closing the bottoms of the tubular portions and the dark star-like shape are slots; Fig. 6 is an elevation from a left-hand side of Fig. 4 from which its curved or "crowned" aspect can be seen; Fig. 7 is an elevation from the right-hand side of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is an elevation from the bottom or front of Fig. 4 in which two mounting means for retaining clips can be seen; Fig. 9 is an elevation from the top or rear of Fig. 4; Fig. 10 is a schematic line drawing plan view of the device with three retaining clips shown secured in position and indicating the innner and outer peripherals of a vase is broken lines; Fig. 11 is a diametrical horizontal section through Fig. 10 and one of the retaining clips; Fig. 12 is an elevation of a retaining clip of Fig. II; Fig. 13 is an elevation of a modified form of retaining clip; and Fig. 14 is an elevation of a further modified form of retention device or clip? Fig. 15 is a plan view of a device forming a second embodiment of the invention wherein the cellular structure has tapering tubular side walls of circular cross-section with slits running therealong to form deflectable portions; Fig. 16 is a diametrical section Fig. 17 is a plan view from below and Fig. 18 is a diametrical section of Fig. 17; Fig. 19 is a schematic elevational view of the device of Figs. 15-18 wherein the flexible interconnection portions between the tubular portions of the cellular structure are flexible and are shown flexed into a curved or arcuate arrangement of the device e.g. as may be referred to as "crowned", and which is to be secured to a tapered sleeve-like mounting member having an open bottom and top and tapering side walls, preferably conical, to suit different sized vases; Fig. 20 is a side elevation showing the combined parts of Fig. 19 welded together to provide a device which may suit vases having different diameter mouths; Figs 21 to 24 illustrate a modification of the embodiment of Figs 15 to 18 wherein a press-fit arrangement is provided for connection instead of the welding of Figs 19 and 20; Figs 25 and 26 illustrate a snap-fit alternative releasable connection to that of Figs 21 to 24; Figs 27 and 28 illustrate a mounting member for the device with removable clips device for vase mounting; Figs 29 to 34 illustrate an alternative embodiment wherein the tubular pockets are individually formed and then assembled and joined together to form a flower holding device; Fig 35 is a plan view of a plurality of tubular pockets similar to those of Figs 29 to 34 joined together; Fig 36 is an elevation of part of the circular arrangement of Fig 35 showing the slightly different curved and tapering shape of the pockets; Fig 371s an exploded perspective view of the device of Figs 29 to 36 to be inserted in a tapered collar 24A and with three clips 31A similar to Figs 27 and 28; and Fig 38 is a schematic elevation of the assembled arrangement of Fig 37 showing the resilient dome shape.

A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. I to 14 of the drawings and comprises a support member or holding device I for supporting the stems of flowers or elongate stems of other floral or the like arrangements and comprises a honeycomb-like or cellular structure 7 comprising a plurality of tubular portions 3 of hexagonal shape and substantially hexagonal shape and of a "common wall portion embodiment with each cell 3 having a bottom portion 4 partially closing the bottom of each cell and comprising six slits 5 extending from a radial central aperture 6 and running to the corners of the hexagon and stopping short thereof and forming six tangs or pointed/triangular portions 7 which are of flexible and resilient material and are deflectable by the stems (not shown) of flowers to enable such to pass through the cell and bottom portion thereof and a resilience such as to engage and hole the stem in position.

The honeycomb like or cellular structure 2 provided by the hexagonally arranged walls provides strength to the construction and preferably the walls of each hexagonal cell extend from the base 4, 7 by a sufficient amount such as to act as a retaining support should the stems inadvertently pivot or tilt in the retaining triangular portions 7.

It will be appreciated that the cellular 2 arrangement is arcuate or curved with the convex side being the normally upper side so as to cause the stems to diverge on all sides as they extend away from the device and vase to provide an attractive display.

A plurality of part wall portions or projectors 8 with upwardly and outwardly inclined outer end surfaces are arranged extending from the periphery of the main cellular portion 2 and such may fit against the mouth of a vase or other container so as to rest therein, like a stopper, if both of suitable size and/or will preferably also add support a pliable band like or rubber band (not shown) which was extend around the whole of the device 2 to form partial open bottomed recesses for receiving additional stems or other floral arrangement item around the periphery of the device It will be appreciated that sometimes the device I may not be of a size to fit in a particular vase in which case additional retaining clip devices (a) or other adapter devices will be provided connectable to the structure 2 to accommodate for any space which might exist between the outer periphery of the device, and any rubber band when provided therearound, and the inner surface of the mouth of a vase in which it is to be located. The adapter device may comprise wedge portions or clips or catches engageable with a vase and a plurality of different sized/shaped such clip/adapters may be provided for any device.

In a particular embodiment there is first shown in Fig. 12 a clip-like device 9 which is also preferably made of resilient plastics material and has a hooked-over portion 10 extending from stem 9A which may clip over the top of a vase 11 or the outer part of the clip may abut against the mouth depending on the size and be deflectable inwardly to retain the device in position. I0

Fig, 13 shows a modification of the retaining clip of Fig. 12 in that the retaining clip 9C has a generally V-shaped portion with one limb 9D larger than the other 9E and provided to provide greater flexibility, Fig. 14 shows a different embodiment of retaining device 12 which has a zig-zag portion 12 providing a resilient connection of dovetail-like connection portion 1 3A with a vase mouth abutting end portion 128.

The bottom of each stem of the retaining clip has an engaging member preferably in the manner of a part of dovetail-like fan portion 13 or other engaging member engageable in a plurality of dovetail-like channel portion 14 formed at different points around the outside of the main body 2 of the device. It will be appreciated that the various embodiments shown in Figs.12-14 are mere illustrations and alternative possibilities are envisage within the scope of the invention.

Figs. 15 to 20 illustrate a device 15 (Figs. 19 and 20) for supporting flowers forming a second embodiment of the invention wherein an upper honeycomb-like cellular structure 16 is shown with a circular periphery and annular outer portion 17. An apertured top layer or portion 18 of a mesh-like formation is provided having hexagonally defined aperture portions 19 leading to each discrete cell i.e. this differs from the "common wall portion" embodiment described previously. Each cell is defined by an inverted truncated conical portion 20 formed by tapering side walls 19 defining an aperture 21 at the lower end and having four slits 22 running along part of the length so as to define therebetween four resiliently deflectable portions 23 which, upon insertion of a stem (not shown) are deflected outwardly and act to hold the stem in position as do the upper side wall portions 20 and/or mouth (18) in the event the stem should tilt from substantially vertical. The device of the second embodiment may simply as shown in Figs. 15 to 18 with the outer circular portion such as to rest on the mouth of a vase (not shown) and the device may be formed so as to be curved or "crowned" i.e. with the upper

II

surface convex in all directions. Each tubular portion has the general appearance of certain plastics material wall plugs. However, in this embodiment, the material of the upper layer of hexagonally defined apertures i.e. interconnecting the discrete cells, is flexible so as to enable the holder to be flexed to be into a curved position or crowned" as shown in Figs. 18 and 19 to provide the crowned arrangement for improved floral displays.

Preferably the flexible material 18 interconnecting the discrete cells or conical portions 20 is not continuous and preferably there is an aperture or gap (not shown) such as a slot, at each corner or Junction to facilitate the flexing of the device 15 into the curved shape. In other words, the cells or conical portions are interconnected by discrete flexible portions or flexible plastics material hinges where they abut or be closest to each other. The device when flexed into a curve is then secured, such as by welding such as radio frequency welding or press-fit connection, to an inverted frusto-conical sleeve-like lower portion 24 which has a peripheral circular flange 25 an open top 26 and bottom 24 and the tapered side walls 24 of which enable the device to be located in different sized vases and thus to provide for a greater range of possible use.

Figs 21 to 24 illustrate embodiments similar to those of Figs 15 to 20 differing in that instead of welding cellular structure 16 to lower portion 24, pegs 27 are provided around the peripheral flange of cellular structure 16 and are engageable in locator apertures 128 around the peripheral rim of lower portion 24.

Figs 25 and 26 illustrate a similar arrangement to Figs 21 to 24 of connection of the upper cellular structure 16 to the lower portion 24 and involves continuous circularly extending peripheral projection 28 extending around the structure 16 and downwardly from the peripheral flange thereof and engageable in snap fit manner in a corresponding continuous circularly extending peripheral channel 29. Fig 26 shows the two parts connected together.

Figs 27 and 28 illustrate an arrangement for mounting the lower portion 24 of the combinations on a vase (not shown) comprising three locators or receiving sleeves/sockets 30 provided at the bottom of the inverted, frusto conical portion of lower portion/part 24 into which three clips 31 may be inserted and retained. The clips have curved over portions 32 for engaging the rim of a vase or other container.

The devices of both embodiments will preferably be formed of plastics material and preferably moulded. It is also envisaged that the cellular structures described herein and the mounting member might be connected or linked together by a strap portion or hinge or flexible hinge and preferably integrally moulded as such would enable use of one moulding tool instead of two.

Also, the retaining clips may have or incorporate sucker cups (separately or integrally formed) to facilitate secure location on smooth surfaces especially in non-dedicated vases.

In the embodiment of Figures 29 to 38, an alternative form or construction of flower holding device is illustrated which is similar to that of Figs. 15 to 26 except that it is not integrally moulded but rather assembled from individual tubular components, to make for an easier injection moulding process. This embodiment of the invention comprises a device formed from an assembly of a plurality of individual tapering pockets or tapering sleeve-like tubular members 33 which are produced by injection moulding, preferably from polypropylene or other flexible plastics material and are interconnected in strip form. The interconnected members 33 are then separated and arranged in desired form such as in a circular arrangement such as illustrated in Fig. 35. The members 33 are spot welded together (or otherwise bonded e.g. by adhesive) where flange portions overlap prior to assembly being positioned within a tapered or converging wall support collar similar to part 24 of Figs. 19,20 or 23 to 28 and are secured thereto.

Each of the tapering tubular members 33 comprise a normally uppermost planar, annular flange or collar 34 of flexible plastics material having a plurality of radial slots or slits 35 therein and from the lower inner periphery of which there extend six tapering sidewall portions 36 inclined to a central axis and separated by slots 37 and terminating at a converged end region defining an aperture 38 (or may taper to a point or small radius). The slots 35 in the flange are provided to give or improve overall flexibility to the assembled and welded device. The polypropylene material of the flange 34 may be, for example, of 1 millimeter thickness with radial slots in the flange being approximately 5 millimeter. The thickness of the material of the side wall portion 36 may reduce in thickness away from the flange 34 in addition to the walls reducing in width. The slits or slots 35 are offset relative to slits or slots 37.

Each flower holding device comprises plurality of such sleeve members 33 assembled together as illustrated in Fig. 35 with their flanges 34 overlapping and being secured together preferably by a high frequency welding, (The sleeve members 33A in Figs 35 or 36 are of a slightly different shape). The circular arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 35 is then located in the tapering or converging collar 24A similar to that shown in Figs. 19 and 20 and Figs. 23 to 28 and especially Figs 27 and 28 and again to be secured in position thereto by spot welding but with the upper surface now in the assembly being dome-shaped or upwardly curved as illustrated in Fig 38 as opposed to collars being in a substantially flat position as illustrated in Fig. 35 -this is mainly caused by flexing of the collars or flanges 34 in the supporting collar 24A. Three clips 31A with flexible curved over end portions 3M for engagement with the mouth of a vase are provided and have lower bent over end portions 32B forming clip portions which engage the lower rim of the collar 24A in support such in a vase mouth.

The pockets or tubular portions are of a depth/length and/or dimension such that the side wall(s) defining such and/or upper part thereof e.g. support part, may also support an inclined stem above the resiliently deflectable or deformable wall or base portion. Thus a stem may be retainably engaged by the resiliently deflectable portion and also restricted in the amount it may tilt by the upper regions or an upper part of the device. The length of each pocket will normally be greater than the upper diameter.

It will be appreciated that the thickness of material and nature of material and the flexibility thereof will be so selected as to facilitate the insertion of flower stems and the retention of such in position and also to facilitate the flexing of the assembled units into the requisite domed shape.

The deflectable base portion of the device may be supported by spaced apart support rods or like enlongate support members, extending downwardly from an apertured carrier disk or plate.

Claims

1. A device for holding flowers or the like stems comprising a plurality of pockets or tubular portions or parts each having at least one resiliently and/or flexibly deflectable or deformable wall or base portion which is or are such as, in use, to grippingly engage a stem when deflected/deformed thereby, said pockets or tubular portions being of a depth/length and/or dimension such that the side wall(s) defining such and/or an upper part of the device may also support a stem above the resiliently deflectable or deformable wall or base portion.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the plurality of pockets or tubular portions are elongated or sleeve-like and interconnected.

3. A device as claimed in claim I or 2, in which the pockets or tubular portions are of the same horizontal cross section along their length.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the cross section of the pockets or tubular portion is hexagonal or circular horizontal cross section.

5. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 3, in which the tubular portions or pockets are tapering or reduce in cross section downwardly away from the mouth thereof which is for receiving a stem.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, in which the length of each pocket is greater than the diameter at the top.

7. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 6, in which the tubular portions or pockets each have at least one resiliently deflectable or deformable wall portion in each operable such as to engage a stem when deflected/deformed thereby.

8. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 7, in which the at least one resiliently deflectable or deformable base portion extends across or partly across the tubular portion.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, in which a plurality of base portions are provided extending from the side walls or top of the pocket towards the central axis of the sleeve or pocket.

10. A device as claimed in any of claim I to 8, in which the plurality of pockets or tubular portions are formed from a plurality of discrete such components which are formed together in the movably upper region of the sleeves or pockets in which a stem is initially inserted.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, in which the sleeves or pockets each have an outwardly extending peripheral collar or flange or flexible material at their normally upper end of the pockets are formed together by connecting together adjacent flanges.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, in which the collar or flange has one or more slits or slots provided to increase the flexibility thereof.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, in which the slits or slots are radially extending.

14. A device as claimed in any of claims I to I 3, in which one or more slits or slots extend along the whole or part of the length of the wall of each pocket or tubular portion of the normally lower end.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14, in which the wall of each pocket or tubular portion reduces in cross section toward the normally lower end.

16. A device as claimed in claim 13 or 15, in which, when viewed in plan, the slits of the flange are offset relative to the slits in the wall of the pocket or tubular portion.

17. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16, in which a mounting means is provided for the device having downwardly converging exterior side surfaces.

18. A combination as claimed in claim 17, in which the device is welded or connected by press fit or other means to the mounting means.

19. A combination as claimed in claim 17 or 18, in which vase-mounting clips or the mounting means are provided peripheral to the extension/exterior or the mounting means to enable securement in the mouth of the vase.

20. A combination as claimed in claim 19, in which the clips are removable.

21. A device or combination as claimed in any of claims I to 21, in which the device or combination are useable without any additional devices for holding flowers.

22. A combination as claimed in claim 17, in which the device is supported in the mounting means such that it flexes upwardly for from a "crowned" or upwardly curved or domed form.

23. A device for supporting flowers or the elongate stems of other items for facilitating floral or like displays and locatable in the mouth or a vase or other vessel, comprising a plurality of tubular portions forming a honeycomb-like or cellular structure wherein each of a plurality of cells of the structure includes a side wall or side walls defining a tubular or sleeve-like portion and having resiliently or elastically deflectable portions extending across or partly across the tubular and/or formed by deflectable side wall forming members, deflectable by a stem or the like elongate member as it passes through the tubular portion and such as to engage the stem.

24. A device as claimed in claim 22, in which the tubular portions are integrally formed with adjacent cells sharing common wall portions -more closely like a honeycomb -and providing strength to the structure and/or extending above said deflectable portions by an amount sufficient to act on a stem portion to support such in an upwardly extending portion.

25. A device as claimed in claims 23 or 24, in which the device is curved or arcuate or Mcrowned so as to enhance the appearance of any arrangement of flowers utilizing the device in that the stems are held diverging from the device all around such.

26. A device as claimed in any of claims 22 to 25, in which the tubular portions are formed from planar or flat sided wall portions (and preferably be hexagonal and/or substantially hexagonal when viewed from above).

27. A device as claimed in any of claims 23 to 26, in which the deflectable portion s are provided by partial crosspieces partially closing the normally lower end of each tubular portion and which include a plurality of slits r slots extending radially outward from a central aperture towards the wall portions, so as to form a plurality of pointed or part triangular portions or flaps flexibly hinged by virtue of the nature of the material, which will be flexible and preferably resilient material, so as to return to their original position when not deflected by a flower stem or other elongate member.

28. A device as daimed in claim 27, in which six slits or slots are provided in each cross-piece or bottom wall with each extending from a central aperture towards an angled portion or corner of the hexagonal tubular arrangement, when provided.

29. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 28, in which the periphery of the device has a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom and around the periphery.

30. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 22, in which the sleeve-like portions or pockets are only joined together by flexible hinge portions only in the regions where they are closest together allowing a small space or gap or aperture (usually in the space between the torso of three sleeves in the regions of the device other than the edge where only two are present) to facilitate the flexing of the whole sheet of sleeves, (i.e. the device), to the desired curvature or "doming".

31. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 30, in which one or more adaptors or retaining devices are provided located or locatable around the periphery of the device and each comprising a hook-like portion or clip engageable over the rim of a vase or other container and/or a resiliently deflectable vase-mouth-engaging means contactable with an inner surlace of the mouth of a vase for friction engagement therewith or a stopper like/plug like supported within the mouth of the vase.

32. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 30, in which retaining devices are provided detachably connectable to the main part of the flower holding device and, for example, by means of a sliding or snap-fit arrangement such as a tongue and groove or dovetail-like projection arrangement or other securing means, located in an upwardly blind/closed receiving channel or like.

33. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 32, including one or more retaining devices, each comprising a resilient bent-over portion having an access channel for the lip of a vase when such is located thereover (somewhat in the manner of a large pen clip) and/or has a main resilient stem portion inwardly deflectable by the contact pressure of the mouth of the vase as the device is pushed thereinto to form a pressure or press-fit supporting relationship with the vase.

34. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 30, in combination with a retaining device engageable with a vase and in the form of support clip engageable with the top of the vase and connected to the device, preferably detachably.

35. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 34, in which the flower holding device and retaining device are formed of plastics material and with the necessary portions or parts being suitably resiliently deflectable.

36. A floral display devise comprising a support structure having a plurality of tubular sleeves with each sleeve having at least one flexible and/or resilient stem-engaging part or portion which is deflectable on insertion and passage of a stem through the sleeve and which acts to hold said stem in position.

37. A flower supporting device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

38. A device as claimed in at least claim I in which the deflectable base portion of the device are supported by spaced apart support rods or like enlongate support members.