Flower arrangement assembly

A flower bowl, including a body including a central axis, a first end, a second end, and a receptacle extending axially therein from the first end, the receptacle configured to receive an arrangement of flowers. The flower bowl further includes a projection extending from the second end, the projection further comprising a frustoconical engagement surface. The engagement surface is configured to engage an opening of a candle jar.

BACKGROUND

Flower arrangements are a common gift which is exchanged between individuals in modern society. One limitation of a flower arrangement is that the flowers disposed within the arrangement have a relatively short life span. As a result, a gift or purchase of flowers may only be displayed or kept for a relatively short period of time before the flowers begin to wither thus greatly diminishing the aesthetic value thereof. Upon the expiration of the usable life of the arrangement, the recipient is forced to dispose of the flowers, thus eliminating most of the contents of the gift or purchase.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a flower bowl. In an embodiment, the flower bowl comprises a body including a central axis, a first end, a second end, and a receptacle extending axially therein from the first end, the receptacle configured to receive an arrangement of flowers. In addition, the flower bowl comprises a projection extending from the second end, the projection further comprising a frustoconical engagement surface. The engagement surface is configured to engage an opening of a candle jar.

Some embodiments are directed to a flower arrangement assembly. In an embodiment, the flower arrangement assembly comprises a candle jar, with a recess, the recess including an opening with a first diameter D1. In addition, the flower arrangement assembly comprises a flower bowl. The flower bowl further comprises a body including a central axis, a first end, a second end, and a receptacle extending axially therein from the first end, the receptacle configured to receive an arrangement of flowers. The flower bowl additionally comprises a projection extending from the second end, the projection further comprising a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a frustoconical engagement surface and an outer diameter D2. Wherein D2is less than D1, and the projection is received within the opening.

Embodiments described herein comprise a combination of features and advantages intended to address various shortcomings associated with certain prior devices, systems, and methods. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. The various characteristics described above, as well as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIG. 1, wherein a decorative assembly10for displaying an arrangement of flowers or other articles of interest is shown. It should be noted that, no flowers are actually shown within assembly10. Assembly10generally comprises a central, longitudinal axis15, a candle20, a flower bowl assembly100, and a mounting insert50. Each of these components will be described in more detail below.

Referring still toFIG. 1, candle20includes a candle jar22which further includes a first or upper end22a, a second or lower end22bopposite the upper end22a, and an inner hollow region or receptacle28extending axially downward from the upper end22a. The upper end22acomprises a substantially planar surface25oriented radially and extending generally circumferentially about the axis15. The receptacle28is generally defined by a substantially cylindrical surface23extending axially downward from the upper end22a, a generally downward facing frustoconcial surface27extending from the surface23, and a substantially cylindrical surface29extending axially downward from the surface27. The surface23defines an opening21to the jar22and includes a diameter D23extending substantially radially to the axis15.

The receptacle28includes an amount of candle wax26disposed therein. Wax26may be any suitable wax or similar material used for making candles while still complying with the principles disclosed herein. In some embodiments, wax26includes a scent which is emanated into the local environment surrounding candle20when the opening21is unobstructed. A wick24is disposed within wax26substantially along the axis15. In some embodiments, wick24comprises a flammable material, and is configured to be ignited. When wick24is ignited the portion of wax26that is proximate he burning wick24is melted, thus enhancing the emanation of any scent included therein.

Referring now toFIGS. 2 and 3, flower bowl assembly100generally comprises a central axis105that is substantially aligned with the axis15during operation, a flower bowl120, a candle jar engagement assembly140, and a mounting assembly160. Bowl120includes a first or open end120a, a second or closed end120bopposite the open end120a, and a receptacle122extending axially downward from the open end122a. Receptacle122is substantially defined by a first or upper generally cylindrical surface126extending axially downward from the open end120a, and a second or lower radially oriented generally planar surface128extending from the surface126. The interface between the surfaces126and128is generally rounded or beveled to ensure a smooth transition therebetween. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, no rounding or beveling may be included between the surfaces126,128while still complying with the principles disclosed herein. Further, lower end120bof bowl120comprises a substantially planar surface124.

Engagement assembly140generally includes a projection141extending generally axially downward from the surface124disposed at the closed end120bof bowl120. Projection141includes a first or proximal end141a, a second or distal end141bopposite the proximal end141a, and a recess150extending axially upward from the distal end141b. Projection141further includes a radially oriented generally planar surface148disposed at the distal end141a, a generally frustoconical surface142extending axially upward from the surface148, a radially oriented shoulder144extending radially inward from the surface142, and a generally cylindrical surface146extending axially between the shoulder144and the upper end141a. Further, the recess150is substantially defined by a generally cylindrical surface152extending axially upward from the surface148, and a radially oriented generally planar surface154. Further, projection141includes a diameter D140generally measured between the widest radial points of projection141about the axis105(e.g., between radially opposite points of intersection between the surfaces144and142). In some embodiments, the diameter D140is preferably less than the diameter D23of the jar22previously described.

Referring now toFIGS. 2-4, mounting assembly160generally comprises a first or central spike or projection162extending axially upward from the surface128, and a plurality of second or radially adjacent spikes or projections166. In this embodiment, a total of four projections166are included, although other than four projections are possible in other embodiments. In the embodiments ofFIGS. 2-4, each projection166is disposed every 90° about the axis105and thus also about the projection162. Projection162is substantially aligned with the axes105,15and generally includes a first or proximal end162a, a second or distal end162bopposite the proximal end162a, and a conical surface extending between the ends162a, b. In this embodiment, distal end162bcomprises a point163. Further, as is best shown inFIG. 2, the projection162has an axial length L162extending between the ends162a, b. Each of the projections166includes a central longitudinal axis165that is substantially aligned with and radially offset from the axis105, a first or proximal end166a, a second or distal end166bopposite the proximal end166a, and a conical surface extending between the ends166a, b. In this embodiment, distal end166aof each projection comprises a point167. Further, as is best shown inFIG. 2, each of the projections166has an axial length L166extending between the ends166a, b. Still further, in this embodiment, the axial length L166of each of the projections166is less than the axial length L162of the projections162. As will be described in more detail below, the point163on the projection162and the point167on each of the projections166are inserted within the axially lower end of insert50in order to secure insert50within the bowl120during operation.

Assembly100may comprise any suitable material for forming a bowl or receptacle for storing or holding other liquids or solids. For example, in some embodiments, assembly may comprise a metal, a polymer, a ceramic, wood, glass, a composite, or a combination thereof. In this embodiment, assembly100comprises a plastic. Additionally, in this embodiment, bowl is monolithically formed; however, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the components of assembly100may not be monolithically formed while still complying with the principles disclosed herein.

Referring back now toFIG. 1, in some embodiments mounting insert50generally includes a substantially cylindrical body51which further includes a first or upper end51aand a second or lower end51bopposite the upper end51a. In some embodiments, insert50may comprise any porous material that is capable of retaining a volume of liquid (e.g., water) but while still retaining enough rigidity to support the stems of flowers or other decorative elements that are inserted therein. For example, in some embodiments, insert may comprise foam, such as, for example, OASIS® Floral Foam available from Oasis Floral Products located in Kent, Ohio.

Referring still toFIG. 1, during assembly, flower bowl assembly100preferable is axially disposed above the candle20such the projection141is installed within the jar22. In particular, projection141is lowered along axis15into the jar opening21such that the surface142slidingly engages with the surface23until the surface25abuts the surface124and wick24is substantially disposed within the recess150. In some embodiments, a sealing member (not shown) such as a fitment is disposed between the surface23and the projection141in order to create a substantially air tight seal when the projection141is disposed within the jar22. Thereafter, insert50may be installed within bowl120by inserting the points163,167of the projections162,166, respectively into the lower end51bof insert50until the lower end51babuts the surface128. Further, once insert50is fully installed within receptacle122of bowl120, flowers or other decorative elements (not shown) may be placed within the upper end50aof insert such that they retain their relative positions therein. Additionally, in some embodiments, a liquid (e.g., water) may be poured or otherwise placed within receptacle122of bowl120such that insert50may absorb the liquid proximate the lower end50bdue to the porous nature of the material comprising insert50. Thus, flowers (not shown) installed within the insert50may utilize the absorbed liquid in order to prolong the shelf life of the arrangement.

Thus, through use of a flower bowl assembly100in accordance with the principles disclosed herein, one may conveniently purchase or exchange an arrangement of flowers along with a separate keepsake (e.g., candle20). Accordingly, once the flowers eventually wither and decay within the bowl, the recipient of the gift may simply remove assembly100from the candle22and dispose of the decaying flowers in order to fully enjoy and/or use the candle20thereafter.

While embodiments disclosed herein have disclosed and described only one wick24being substantially aligned with the axis15of candle20, it should be appreciated that more or less than one wick may be used and each of the wicks24may occupy a large number of arrangements within candle20while still complying with the principles disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, multiple wicks24may be used within candle20, such that each is radially offset from the axis15. Additionally in other embodiments, no wick24may be included within candle20. Further, while embodiments described and disclosed herein have included a single projection162, and a total of four projections166, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the number and arrangement of the projections162,166within receptacle122of bowl120may be varied while still complying with the principles disclosed herein. Still further, in some embodiments, no projections162and/or166may be included on assembly100while still complying with the principles disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that in some embodiments, imitation flowers (e.g., silk) may be placed within bowl120while still complying with the principles disclosed herein.