WO1990006697A1

WO1990006697A1 - Artificially scented floral decoration

Info

Publication number: WO1990006697A1
Application number: PCT/US1989/005614
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Terasaki
Original assignee: Peter Terasaki
Priority date: 1988-12-12
Filing date: 1989-12-12
Publication date: 1990-06-28

Abstract

An artificially scented floral decoration includes a shielding mechanism for preventing the absorption by foliar components (7) of a scented liquid (3) which is drawn by means of a wick (4) from a vase (2) which supports the floral decoration. The shielding mechanism may assume any of three different forms, viz. the stem of the floral piece (1) immersed within the vase (2); alternatively, the stem (6) of the floral decoration may itself serve as the wick, but the foliar components (7) are then isolated from such stem by means of an impermeable base piece (14); and, finally, the stem (6) of the floral piece (1) may be chemically treated so as to render it impermeable to the scented liquid (3). Shielding the floral decoration from the scented liquid (3) prevents the floral decoration from becoming oily by absorption of the oily essence of such scented liquid (3).

Description

ARTIFICIALLY SCENTED FLORAL DECORATION SPECIFICATION The invention relates to floral decorations which are artificially scented. More particularly, the invention relates to a wicking system for diffusing the fragrance of a scented liquid proximal to a floral piece and a sheathing structure which prevents the floral piece from contacting or absorbing the scented liquid. Background of the Invention Augmentation and modification of the natural scent of floral decorations has been practiced since the advent of perfumes during the renaissance period. With the modern rise in popularity of artificial floral decorations, the addition of artificial scent has been employed more frequently to impart the entire scent of such decorations. The selection of the most appropriate artificial scent for use with such artificial floral decorations is limited by the aesthetic expectations of the consumer who expects a correspondance between the olfactory and visual stimuli, e.g. an artificial rose should have the scent of a rose.

Unfortunately, there can sometimes be an incompatibility between materials or compositions which comprise the optimal scent and the materials or compositions which comprise the artificial floral decoration. Many of the preferred scents are liquid based and include an oily essence. If the artificial floral decoration has a composition which is permeable to such a liquid based scent, the artificial floral decoration may absorb the scented liquid and may develop an oily touch and/or appearance. An oily touch and/or appearance can adversely effect the visual and tactile aesthetics of the floral decoration and may adversely effect its consumer acceptance and marketability. Accordingly, what is needed is a method for imparting the fragrance of a liquid based scent to a floral decoration, natural or artificial, without allowing the floral decoration to become contaminated by the oily essence of such fragrance.

Summary There are three methods for preventing a floral decoration from absorbing a scented liquid. In each method, the floral decoration is supported by a vase having a narrow neck. The vase contains the scented fluid and includes a wick which draws the scented fluid to the neck of the vase. Each of the three methods protects the floral decoration from contact with both the scented liquid and the wick. In the first method, the lower portion of the stem of the floral decoration is shielded by an impermeable sheath. The sheath is then inserted into the neck of the vase and supports the floral decoration. A wick is entwined or wrapped around the outside of the sheath and draws the scented liquid from the vase to an area proximal to the floral decoration.

In the second method, the stem of the floral decoration serves as the wick. However, the foliar components are isolated from the stem by means of an impermeable base piece. Both the stem and the foliar components are attached to the impermeable base piece. However, the stem and the foliar components do not contact one another. Accordinly, the impermeable base piece intervenes between the stem and the foliar components so as to prevent the absorption of scented liquid into the foliarcomponents.

In the third method, the stem of the floral piece is chemically treated to render it impermeable to the scented liquid. The impermeable stem is then placed into the vase and supports the folial components of the floral piece. The wick is then entwined around the impermeable stem and immersed within the scented liquid. The scented liquid is drawn from the vase by means of a wick. Since the stem of the floral decoration is impermeable, it does not absorb scented liquid from the wick, nor is scented liquid drawn into the foliar components.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the artificially scented floral decoration.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the artificially scented floral decoration of Figure 1 illustrating the sheath with the stems of the floral decoration inserted within the hole thereof, the wick entwined round the sheath, and the sheath and wick passing through the bore hole of the plug which stoppers the neck of the vase. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the artificially scented floral decoration of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an elevational view looking into the hole of the sheath.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the plug illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the artificially scented floral decoration in wherein an impermeable base piece is employed to separate certain foliar components from contact with the scented liquid while selected other foliar components are directly connected to the wick so as to draw scented liquid to such selected foliar components. Detailed Description of the Invention

The first embodiment of the artificially scented floral decoration includes a floral piece (1), a vase (2) for supporting the floral piece (1 ), a source of scented liquid (3), and a wick (4) for drawing the scented liquid (3) from the vase (2) and diffusing the fragrance of the scented liquid (3) proximal to the floral decoration. Additionally, the floral decoration employs an impermeable sheath (5) to prevent the contamination of the floral piece (1 ) by scented liquid (3) which is drawn from the vase (2) by the wick (4). The floral piece (1) includes a stem (6) and one or more foliar components (7) connected thereto. The stem (6) includes a lower portion (8) which is distal from the foliar components (7). The impermeable sheath (5) includes an elongated hollow structure which defines a hole (9) at one end. In a preferred mode, the sheath (5) has a plastic composition which is impermeable to the scented liquid (3). The floral decoration is joined to the sheath (5) by inserting the lower portion (8) of the stem (6) into the hole (9) of the sheath (5).

The first embodiment of the artificially scented floral decoration is then assembled by entwining the wick (4) around the sheath (5) into which the floral piece has been inserted. In a preferred mode, the wick (4) is made from a pipe cleaner having a composition of twisted wire and tufted fabric. When the wick (4) is entwined around the sheath (5), no contact is made between the wick (4) and the floral piece (1). Then the assembly, which inludes the floral piece (1), the sheath (5), and the entwined wick (4), is inserted into the neck (10) of the vase (2) . The inserted sheath (5) spans the neck (10) of the vase (2), with a small portion protruding above the neck (10). The floral piece (1 ) branches outwardly from the hole (9) in the protruding sheath (5). The wick (4) extends downwardly into the scented liquid (3) so as to draw the scented liquid (3) from the vase (2). The wick (4) also rises upwardly to an area between the topmost part of the neck (10) and the topmost portion of the protruding sheath (5). The wick rises above the neck (10) in order to release the fragrance of the scented liquid (3) proximally to the floral piece (1). The upper limit of the reach of the wick (4) lies below the topmost part of the sheath (5) in order to assure that the wick (4) does not contact and/or contaminate the floral piece (1) with the scented liquid (3). In a preferred mode, the neck (10) is relatively narrow and supports both the wick (4) and the sheath (5), and consequently the floral decoration. In an alternative preferred mode for the first embodiment, the neck (10) of the vase (2) may include a plug (12). The plug (12) includes a bore hole (13) through which both the wick (4) and the sheath (5 ) are inserted. The addition of this plug (12) enhances the ability of the neck (10) to support the floral decoration and to control the release of the volatile component of the scented liquid (3).

In yet an other alternative preferred mode for the first embodiment, the plug may include a cup shaped structure on its crown. In effect, the hole of such a plug has two bore diameters. The bore diameter of the lower portion of the plug is relatively narrow; the bore diameter of the upper portion of the plug is relatively broader than the lower portion of the plug. The wick (4) extends all the way into the upper portion of the plug. Hence, the relatively broad bore diameter of the upper portion of the plug enhances the release of the fragrance of the scented liquid (3) from the wick (4). In a second embodiment, the floral piece (1 ) is separated from the wick (4) by means of a base piece (14). The base piece (14) has a composition which is impermeable to the scented liquid (3). In a preferred mode for this second embodiment, the base piece (14) may be made with a structure which is visually similar to a calyx. The petals and other components of the floral decoration are then attached to the inner portion of this calyx type structure. The wick (4) is attached to the lower portion of the calyx type structure and visually simulates the pedicel. In this mode, it is preferred to employ one or more green colored pipe cleaners as the wick (4). The wick (4) is then lowered into the neck (10) of the vase (2) and immersed within the scented liquid (3) therein so as to draw the scented liquid (3) from the vase (2). In some instances it is desirable for the scented liquid (3) to be drawn into selected foliar components (15) but not into others (7) . Some foliar components are intended to have a waxy or oily look. Alternatively, some foliar components capable of visually masking or otherwise tolerating the absorption of oil. Hence, if the volatility of the essence of the scented liquid (3) is relatively low, it may be desireable to increase the surface area into which the scented liquid (3) is drawn. In this event, the second embodiment may be modified by allowing selected foliar components (15) to be directed connected to the wick (4). However, in such a case, it is important that the foliar components (7) which are supported by the base piece (14) and which are intended to remain dry remain separate from and without contact with the selected foliar components (15) which are connected to the wick (4) and which are intended to absorb scented liquid from the wick for release into the air.

In the third embodiment, the floral piece (1) includes one or more stems which are each chemically treated or fabricated so as to render them impermeable to the scented liquid (3). The stems may be rendered impermeable to the scented liquid (3) by means of treatment with a water sealant. For example, the stems (6) may be dipped into wax. The impermeable stem of the floral decoration is then entwined with the wick (4), as with the first embodiment. The combined wick and impermeable stem are then inserted into the neck (10) of the vase (2) so as to support the foliar components and so as to allow the wick (4) to draw the scented liquid (3) from the vase (2). Because the wick (4) contacts only the impermeable stem, the foliar components (7) of the floral decoration are not contaminated by the oily essence of the scented liquid (3).

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An artificially scented floral decoration comprising: a scented liquid having a volatile component, a vase defining an interior portion for containing said scented liquid and including a neck for communicating with the interior portion, a floral piece including a stem and a foliar component extending from the stem, the stem including a lower portion distal from the foliar component, a sheath for ensheathing the lower portion of the stem, said sheath extending through the neck of said vase and into the interior portion of said vase, said sheath being impermiable to penetration by said scented liquid, said floral piece extending outwardly from the neck of said vase and from said sheath, a wick for wicking said scented liquid from the interior portion of said vase, said wick wrapped around said sheath and extending downwardly through the neck of said vase into said scented liquid and extending outwardly from said vase through the neck for releasing the volatile component of said scented liquid proximaly to the foliar component, said floral piece being protected from direct contact with said wick and said scented liquid by means of said sheath.

2. An artificially scented floral decoration as described in claim 1 further comprising: a plug fitted into the neck of said vase and defining a hole through which said wick, said sheath, and the lower portion of the stem may pass.

3. An artificially scented floral decoration as described in claim 2 wherein: the hole in said plug having a first bore diameter within the neck of said vase and a second bore diameter9 outside the neck of said vase, the second bore diameter being larger than the first bore diameter.

4. An artificially scented floral decoration comprising: a scented liquid having a volatile component, a vase defining an interior portion for containing said scented liquid and including a neck for communicating with the interior portion of said vase, a first foliar component, a base piece which is impermeable to penetration by said scented liquid, said base piece for supporting said first foliar component, a wick extending downwardly into said vase for wicking said scented liquid from the interior portion of said vase, said wick being supported within the neck of said vase, said wick attached to said base piece for supporting said base piece and releasing the volatile component of said scented liquid proximaly to said first foliar component, said first foliar component being protected from direct contact with said wick and said scented liquid by means of said base piece.

5. An artificially scented floral decoration as described in claim 4 further comprising: a plug fitted into the neck of said vase and defining a hole through which said wick may pass for supporting said first foliar component.

6. An artificially scented floral decoration as described in claim 4 further comprising: a second foliar component having contact with said wick for absorbing said scented liquid.

7. An artificially scented floral decoration comprising: a scented liquid having a volatile component, a vase defining an interior portion or containing said scented liquid and including a neck for communicating with the interior portion, an impermeable stem which is impermeable to penetration and wicking by said scented liquid and which is supported within the neck of said vase, a foliar component supported by said impermeable stem, a wick for wicking said scented liquid from the interior portion of said vase, said wick wrapped around said impermeable stem and extending both downwardly into said scented liquid and upwardly for releasing the volatile component proximaly to said foliar component, said foliar component being protected from direct contact with said wick and said scented liquid by means of said impermeable stem.