Abstract:
A hollow wire and method of using the hollow wire to wrap or support a flower stem or floral grouping, and/or use in construction, crafts, hobbies, or other uses in need of wire products.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Ser. No. 60/816,745, filed Jun. 27, 2006, the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Wire is a commonly used mechanical aid in floral arranging and numerous other fields. In the floral industry, the most important uses for wire include supporting flower stems, such as in straightening a curved stem, curving a straight stem, or gathering and holding multiple stems together. While floral arrangers generally want to avoid any visible wires and other aids, for many florists the wiring of stems is considered a requirement for increasing customer satisfaction. Support wires can help prevent breakage of the flower heads during delivery and also assist flowers in receiving adequate water. Other important uses of support wires include their use in flower stem replacement, creating accessory stems in corsage and carried bouquet construction, joining stems into clusters for a single insertion, plus a wide array of other miscellaneous attachment and joining functions.  
         [0003]     Florist wire is often treated (annealed) for improved flexibility and is often coated with an enamel (often green) to resist rusting and to blend with the floral stems and foliage. Florist wire is available from floral crafts stores in small quantities of 6″ or 12″ lengths, but florists usually obtain the 18″ length in 12 pound boxes, from which they can cut the other needed sizes. The important distinction among the wire strands is their size or gauge. Wire size is related by the gauge number: the smaller the wire diameter, the larger the gauge number. The general applications of the different wire sizes used by florists include, but are not limited to: heavy wire of #16-#18 gauge is used to support large stems or heavy flowers such as lilies, gladiolus, and snapdragons; medium weight wire of #20-#22 gauge is used to support stems of such flowers as roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums; light weight wire of #24-#26 gauge is used for replacing stems in corsages and bridal bouquets with flowers of average size, or to support smaller or lighter flower stems; very fine wire of #28-#30 gauge is used for delicate corsage flowers and for binding together stems with a heavier support wire; ultra fine wire of #32-#36 gauge is used for very delicate flowers and fine work in bridal arrangements, dainty corsages, and for glamellias.  
         [0004]     The several methods of wiring replacement stems can be used in corsage construction. For general arranging work the emphasis is on stem support, with the selected method based on the character of the flower stem. In the majority of situations, the straight-wire (or wrapped wire) method will be used. Roses, carnations, and many other flowers with solid stems are usually wired in this way. One end of the wire is inserted into the base of the calyx (the stem enlargement just below the flower). The insertion needs to be only deep enough to keep the wire end from slipping out, as the rest of the wire is loosely wrapped in a spiral down the stem. With the wire of the appropriate gauge, it should be easy to flex the wire around the leaves, but one should avoid making too many turns around the stem with the wire. When completed, the wire should be reasonably straight for best wire strength and support. Some flowers, such as chrysanthemums, have a small, flat calyx which may not hold the wire end as desired. For these flowers, the hook-wire method can be more effective. In this method, the wire end is pushed from the calyx base through the flower face. A small hook is made in the wire end, and the wire is then pulled back to embed (and conceal) the wire in the flower face. The remaining wire is loosely wrapped about the stem as for the straight-wire method. A third technique, insertion wiring, works best with those flowers having fleshy or hollow stems, such as but not limited to, many of the spring bulb flowers. An outside wire wrap would only crush these stems. Instead, the wire is passed up through the hollow stem until it is imbedded in the calyx from the inside.  
         [0005]     Some additional wire forms are also used in commercial and home floral arranging. When making wreaths or floral sprays, a continuous length of smaller gauge wire is needed for binding together the components as they are added. Paddle wire, either green-enameled or unpainted in #20-26 gauge, is readily available for this purpose. Some arrangers will also use products referred to as twist-ems or twist-ties, which comprises wire enclosed in a narrow paper cover. This product is available in continuous rolls to cut to the length needed. Another common support material is referred to as the chenille stem or pipe cleaner. This support material is actually composed of two wire strands that are twisted to hold threads, such as fuzzy colored threads, that make up the stem body. Most chenille stems are used in corsage work or in making accessories, but some other applications are possible when a colored joining wire may be desired.  
         [0006]     An alternative joining material is floral tape or paraffin tape. This is a thin paper tape impregnated with paraffin. Such tape may be used instead of wire to secure a stem to a wood pick or to bind together a cluster of stems. It is also used as a wire wrap for extra rust resistance when the wire is in direct contact with water. It may also give a cushion along the wire to reduce possible damage to a delicate flower or stem. The tape typically comes in rolls of ½″ or 1″ width in a variety of colors. The main use of floral tape is in the construction of corsages, but there are opportunities for its benefit as a general floral arranging mechanical aid.  
         [0007]     Floral ribbon wire may be used in corsage and carried flower arrangements, commercial designs and some home designs. Such arrangements and designs may include bows or various ribbon accessories as an important visible component or for other appropriate uses.  
         [0008]     Wired ribbon (also referred to herein as “ribbon wire”) can be constructed by sandwiching wire between webs of satin (acetate) ribbon. The wired ribbon may have a solid color, or the wired ribbon may have printed patterns, lace or eyelet edges, or other decorative treatments. The finish on the two sides of the wired ribbon may the same or different; for example, one side of the wired ribbon may be satin or shiny finish, while the other side may reveal a fabric weave and have a duller finish.  
         [0009]     Flocked or velvet wired ribbon may be satin ribbons with a velvet texture on one side. This added thickness makes them stiffer to aid in the production of bows, and the image of this added thickness is also especially popular for adding texture to holiday wreaths and other arrangements, as well as for use simply as bows or streamers alone. Cloth wired ribbon offers a wide variety of colors and patterns. These are usually one-sided colors or prints only, and the cloth does not offer the same crispness as satin ribbon for bow loops. Paper is also used as a wired ribbon material. These are made in a variety of solid colors and widths. The paper wired ribbon is loosely folded and twisted into a narrow coil, and it is unfolded as desired for use in a bow, wrap, or other decorative effect. This wrinkling in the paper adds to the informal image of the arrangement where this type of wired ribbon is appropriate. Wired ribbon allows dramatic images to be created, e.g., ribbon streamers can be softly bent to suggest that they are moving due to wind. While this does add to the ribbon cost, it also allows for a design impact that is not possible from the other types of wired ribbons. Other options that may fit the ribbon class of accessories include but are not limited to, curling ribbons, metallic cord, and solid or multi-colored yarn.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,713 discloses a hollow tubular device having a longitudinal opening. The hollow device can be used to enclose and surround a plant stem for supporting the stem in a floral arrangement. However, this tubular device cannot be used to wrap a floral stem, or inserted into a floral stem, or used in other aspects of floral construction or decoration in the same way floral wire can be used.  
         [0011]     The present invention is directed to a novel type of hollow wire which retains the size, strength and usefulness of a solid wire while reducing the weight of the wire. Such hollow wire may be utilized in any desired floral packaging, including, but not limited to, floral stem support, paddle and spool wire. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the hollow wire of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  thereof.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the hollow wire of  FIG. 3  taken along line  4 - 4  thereof.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the hollow wire of  FIG. 5  taken along line  6 - 6  thereof.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the hollow wire of  FIG. 7  taken along line  8 - 8  thereof.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of the hollow wire of  FIG. 9  taken along line  10 - 10  thereof.  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of the hollow wire of  FIG. 11  taken along line  12 - 12  thereof.  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  is a cross-section view of the hollow wire of  FIG. 13  taken along line  14 - 14  thereof.  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 16  is a cross-section view of the hollow wire of  FIG. 15  taken along line  16 - 16  thereof.  
         [0028]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 18  is a cross-section view of the hollow wire of  FIG. 17  taken along line  18 - 18  thereof.  
         [0030]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a coated hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 20  is a cross-section view of the coated hollow wire of  FIG. 19  taken along line  20 - 20  thereof.  
         [0032]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a coated hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 22  is a cross-section view of the coated hollow wire of  FIG. 21  taken along line  22 - 22  thereof.  
         [0034]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a hollow wired ribbon constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 24  is a cross-section view of the hollow wired ribbon of  FIG. 23  taken along line  24 - 24  thereof.  
         [0036]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a hollow wired ribbon constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 26  is a cross-section view of the hollow wired ribbon of  FIG. 25  taken along line  26 - 26  thereof.  
         [0038]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the present invention attached thereto.  
         [0040]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the present invention attached thereto.  
         [0041]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the present invention attached thereto.  
         [0042]      FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the present invention attached thereto.  
         [0043]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the present invention attached thereto.  
         [0044]      FIG. 33  is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the present invention attached thereto.  
         [0045]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view of a floral grouping formed of a plurality of flowers wherein a hollow wire of the present invention is wrapped about stems of the flowers.  
         [0046]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a corsage formed from a floral grouping and utilizing a hollow wire of the present invention in the construction of the corsage.  
         [0047]      FIG. 36  is a top plan view of a wire mesh formed of a hollow wire of the present of invention.  
         [0048]      FIG. 37  is a pictorial representation of a floral easel having a floral grouping connected to a support member formed of a hollow wire of the present invention.  
         [0049]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of a stone or casket plaque easel formed of a hollow wire of the present invention.  
         [0050]      FIG. 39  is a pictorial representation of the stone or casket plaque easel of  FIG. 38  supported on a casket and having a floral grouping mounted thereon.  
         [0051]      FIG. 40  is a pictorial representation of the stone or casket plaque easel of  FIG. 38  supported on a headstone and having a floral grouping mounted thereon. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0052]     Floral wire is an important tool in the modern floral industry and is used for constructing floral bouquets, floral arrangements, corsages and the like. The present invention contemplates a novel hollow floral wire, and methods of use thereof in constructing items such as but not limited to, floral bouquets, floral arrangements, corsages and the like. The hollow wire contemplated herein may also be used in the hobby and craft industries as well as in the fields of detonation and construction, for example, for tying together materials such as steel or iron mesh or reinforcing rods and bars, or similar structures made of polymeric materials or wood materials.  
         [0053]     The terms “flower”, “floral bouquet”, “floral arrangement”, “floral grouping”, “corsage” and other floral terms used herein will be understood to include at least one fresh, dried, or artificial floral material, or any combination thereof. Such terms are not limited to floral materials having both a bloom and stem end, but may include plant materials without a bloom end.  
         [0054]     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral  10  is a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the present invention. The hollow wire  10  is provided with a sidewall  12  having an outer surface  14 , an inner surface  16 , an outer (external) diameter  18 , and an inner (internal) diameter  20 . The sidewall  12  of the hollow wire  10  is continuous and is thus closed along substantially its entire length except at the terminal ends. The gauge of the hollow wire  10  can vary widely and will depend to a large extent on the use of the hollow wire  10 . The hollow wire  10  may be provided with any gauge of wire known in the art as desirable for use in the applications described herein. Generally, however, the gauge of the hollow wire  10  will range from 8 to 40, such as but not limited to, gauges 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40. The gauge of the hollow wire  10  is, however, not limited to these particular sizes.  
         [0055]     The hollow wire of the present invention may be formed of any material that can function in accordance with the present invention as disclosed and required herein. For example but not by way of limitation, the hollow wire of the present invention may be constructed of steel, aluminum, other metals, metal alloys, polymers, paper, carbon fibers, carbon nanoparticles, carbon nanotube impregnated polymers, carbon nanotubes, combinations and derivatives thereof, and the like.  
         [0056]     Shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  is another embodiment of hollow wire of the present invention, designated generally therein by the reference numeral  30 . The hollow wire  30  is provided with a sidewall  32 , having an outer surface  34 , an inner surface  36 , an outer (external) diameter  38  and an inner (internal) diameter  40 . The hollow wire  30  is similar in construction to the hollow wire  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , except that the sidewall  32  of hollow wire  30  is not continuous along its length and has a gap  44  formed between a first longitudinal edge  46  and a second longitudinal edge  48  of the sidewall  32 . The gap  44  is illustrated as extending longitudinally, completely or substantially completely, along the length of the hollow wire  30 . However, it is to be understood that the gap  44  may only extend longitudinally along only a portion of the length of the hollow wire  30 , with the remainder of the length of the hollow wire  30  being substantially closed.  
         [0057]     Shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is another embodiment of hollow wire of the present invention, designated therein by the reference numeral  50 . The hollow wire  50  is provided with a sidewall  52  having an outer surface  54 , an inner surface  56 , an outer (external) diameter  58  and an inner (internal) diameter  60 . The hollow wire  50  is similar in construction to the hollow wire  30  of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , except that the sidewall  52  of the hollow wire  50  has a first longitudinal edge  64  and a second longitudinal edge  66  which extend longitudinally along the length of the hollow wire  50  and abut one another to form an abutting portion  68 .  
         [0058]     The abutting portion  68  may be attached or connected together by a bonding material or other methods known in the art; optionally, the abutting portion  68  may not be connected, and the shape of the hollow wire  50  may be maintained via the structural characteristics of the material from which the hollow wire  50  is formed. In addition, the abutting portion  68  is illustrated as extending longitudinally, completely or substantially completely, along the length of the hollow wire  50 . However, it is to be understood that the abutting portion  68  may only extend longitudinally along only a portion of the length of the hollow wire  50 , with the remainder of the length of the hollow wire  50  being open and/or the first and second longitudinal edges  64  and  66  being overlapped.  
         [0059]     Shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is another embodiment of hollow wire of the present invention, designated generally therein by the reference numeral  70 . The hollow wire  70  is provided with a sidewall  72  having an outer surface  74 , an inner surface  76 , an outer (external) diameter  78  and an inner (internal) diameter  80 . The hollow wire  70  is similar in construction to the hollow wire  50  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , except that the sidewall  72  of the hollow wire  70  has a first longitudinal edge  84  and a second longitudinal edge  86  which extend longitudinally along the length of the hollow wire  70  and overlap to form an overlapping portion  88 .  
         [0060]     The overlapping portion  88  may be attached or connected together by a bonding material or other methods known in the art; optionally, the overlapping portion  88  may not be connected, and the shape of the hollow wire  70  may be maintained via the structural characteristics of the material from which the hollow wire  70  is formed. In addition, the overlapping portion  88  is illustrated as extending longitudinally, completely or substantially completely, along the length of the hollow wire  70 . However, it is to be understood that the overlapping portion  88  may only extend longitudinally along only a portion of the length of the hollow wire  70 , with the remainder of the length of the hollow wire  70  being open and/or the first and second longitudinal edges  84  and  86  abutting one another.  
         [0061]     Shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  is another embodiment of hollow wire of the present invention, designated generally therein by the reference numeral  90 . The hollow wire  90  is provided with a sidewall  92  having an outer surface  94 , an inner surface  96 , an outer (external) diameter  98  and an inner (internal) diameter  100 . The hollow wire  90  is similar in construction to the hollow wire  70  hereinbefore described with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , except that the hollow wire  90  has a first longitudinal edge  104  and a second longitudinal edge  106  which are spatially disposed and overlap, thus forming a gap  108  which extends along the length of the hollow wire  90  substantially as shown.  
         [0062]     While the gap  108  is illustrated as extending longitudinally, completely or substantially completely, along the length of the hollow wire  90 , it is to be understood that the gap  108  may only extend longitudinally along only a portion of the length of the hollow wire  90 , with the remainder of the length of the hollow wire  90  being open and/or the first and second longitudinal edges  104  and  106  being overlapped and/or abutted against one another.  
         [0063]     While  FIGS. 3-10  illustrate hollow wires with either a gap  44 , an abutting portion  68 , an overlapping portion  88 , or an overlapping portion with a gap  108 , extending along substantially the entire length thereof, it is to be understood that a single length of hollow wire may be provided with a combination of two or more of the above, each extending separately along a portion of the length thereof. That is, the first and second longitudinal edges of a sidewall of a hollow wire may abut one another along a portion of the length of the hollow wire, may have a gap between one another along another portion of the length thereof, may overlap along another portion of the length of the hollow wire, and/or then may overlap but be spatially disposed from one another to provide a gap there between along yet another portion of the length of the hollow wire. It is to be understood that the hollow wire of the present invention may be provided with any number and combination of structures disclosed herein along a single length thereof.  
         [0064]     While  FIGS. 1-10  are illustrated as having a substantially circular cross-section, it is to be understood that the hollow wire of the present invention is not limited to such structures. Rather, any desired cross-sectional structure known in the art for wire or hollow devices or otherwise contemplated for use by a person having ordinary skill in the art, given this disclosure, may be utilized in accordance with the present invention. For example but not by way of limitation,  FIGS. 11-14  specifically illustrate two other cross-sectional configurations that may be used in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0065]      FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate a hollow wire  110  provided with a sidewall  112  having an outer surface  114 , an inner surface  116  and an inner space  118 . The hollow wire  110  is provided with a substantially triangular cross-sectional configuration.  
         [0066]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate a hollow wire  130  provided with a sidewall  132  having an oval, elliptical or partially flattened cross-sectional configuration. The sidewall  132  of the hollow wire  130  has an outer surface  134  and an inner surface  136 . The sidewall  132  has a first outer (external) diameter  138  in a substantially vertical direction and a second outer diameter  140  in a substantially horizontal direction. The sidewall  132  also has a first inner (internal) diameter  142  in a substantially vertical direction and a second inner diameter  144  in a substantially horizontal direction. The hollow wire  130  has an inner space  148 .  
         [0067]     While specific cross-sectional configurations are shown herein for various embodiments of the hollow wire described herein, it is to be understood that the hollow wire may have any desired cross-sectional configuration known in the art, including but not limited to, circular, oval, elliptical, parabolic, open curve, closed curve, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, trapezoidal, or any other polygonal cross-sections known in the art.  
         [0068]     While the embodiments of hollow wire described herein above are provided with a substantially tubular structure, it is to be understood that the hollow wire of the present invention is not limited to substantially closed, tubular structures. Instead, the hollow wire of the present invention also includes open cross-sectional structures that function in accordance with the present invention.  FIGS. 15-18  and their accompanying description describe two particular embodiments of such open cross-sectional structures of hollow wire; however, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular open structures shown therein, but rather any open cross-sectional structure that can function as hollow wire in the applications described herein also falls within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0069]      FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate one such embodiment of hollow wire having an open cross-sectional structure in accordance with the present invention, the hollow wire being designated generally therein by the reference numeral  150 . The hollow wire  150  is provided with a sidewall  152  having an outer surface  154  and an inner surface  156 , an outer (external) diameter  158 , an inner (internal) diameter  160 , a first longitudinal edge  162  and a second longitudinal edge  164 . The hollow wire  150  is similar in construction to the hollow wire  10  hereinbefore described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , except that the hollow wire  150  is provided with a substantially half-circular cross-sectional configuration rather than the circular cross-sectional configuration of the hollow wire  10 . That is, the first and second longitudinal edges  162  and  164  of the hollow wire  150  do not connect but rather are disposed substantially parallel to one another such that the hollow wire  150  is provided with a substantially semi-circular or trough-shaped cross-sectional configuration, that provides an inner space  166 .  
         [0070]      FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate another embodiment of hollow wire having an open cross-sectional structure of the present invention, the hollow wire being designated generally therein by the reference numeral  170 . The hollow wire  170  is provided with a first leg portion  172  and a second leg portion  174 . The second leg portion  174  extends angularly from the first leg portion  172  so as to provide the hollow wire  170  with a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configuration substantially as shown in  FIG. 18 . Thus, the first and second legs  172  and  174  cooperate to define a trough  176  extending along the length of the hollow wire  170 . Further, the first and second legs  172  and  174  cooperate to provide the hollow wire  170  with a height  178  and a width  180  at an upper end of the trough  176  of the hollow wire  170 . The trough  176  thus defines an inner space of the hollow wire  170 .  
         [0071]     While the troughs of the hollow wires of  FIGS. 15-18  have been depicted as being substantially linear as they extend longitudinally from one end of the hollow wire to the opposite end, it is to be understood that the troughs may extend in any non-linear form longitudinally, such as for example, but not by way of limitation, in a spiral configuration longitudinally.  
         [0072]     For  FIGS. 15-18 , a flower stem may be disposed and held in place thereabout with or without requiring that the flower stem be affixed to the hollow wire  150  or  170 . For example, a bonding material may be required to maintain the hollow wire  150  or  170  in a position about the flower stem; alternatively, the hollow wire  150  or  170  could be wrapped spirally about the flower stem and thus maintained in a position about the flower stem without requiring the use of a bonding material.  
         [0073]     The term “bonding material” as used herein, means any type of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of two materials or portions of the same material. Examples of bonding materials used in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, cohesives, heat sealable materials such as heat sealable lacquers and hot melt materials, sonic sealable and vibratory sealable materials, ties, labels, bands, ribbons, strings, tapes (including single or double-sided adhesive tapes), staples and combinations thereof.  
         [0074]     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, any of the hollow wires described herein previously may be provided with an outer coating disposed on at least a portion thereof.  FIGS. 19-26  illustrate outer coatings disposed on exemplary hollow wire cores, and also illustrate different types and configurations of such outer coatings, as described in greater detail herein below.  
         [0075]      FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate a hollow wire  190  that includes a hollow core  191  and an outer coating  192 . The hollow wire  191  may be similar in construction to any of the hollow wires described herein, such as but not limited to the hollow wire  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The outer coating  192  may be constructed of any suitable material known in the art for coating wire. For example but not by way of limitation, the outer coating  192  may be constructed of paper, plastic, ribbon material, rubber, polymeric material, fabric, enamel, paint, metal, metallized fabric, metallized polymeric film, ceramic material, flocking, bonding material, combinations thereof, or any other material known by a person of ordinary skill in the art for covering a wire.  
         [0076]     It should be noted that any of the hollow wires described herein may be completely or partially covered with an outer coating, such as the outer coating  192 , along at least a portion of a length thereof. For example, shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22  is a hollow wire  200  having a hollow core  201  and an outer coating  202 . The hollow core  201  is similar in construction to the hollow wire  30  hereinbefore described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . That is, the hollow core  201  is provided with a gap  204  which extends longitudinally along the length of the hollow core  201 . The outer coating  202 , which is constructed of material similar to those of the outer coating  192  of the hollow wire  190 , does not extend completely over a gap  204  of the hollow core  201 . However, it should be understood that the outer coating  202  could be modified to coat and cover the gap  204  of hollow core  201  if desired.  
         [0077]     It is to be understood that any of the hollow wires described herein previously may be provided with an outer coating on at least a portion thereof, as described in relation to  FIGS. 19-22  or as otherwise described herein or known in the art. Thus, such coated hollow wires (or partially coated hollow wires also fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0078]     Another embodiment of hollow wire of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24  and is designated therein by the general reference numeral  210 . The hollow wire  210  is provided with a hollow core  211  and an outer coating  212 . The hollow core  211  may be similar in construction to any of the hollow wires  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110  and  130  hereinbefore described with reference to  FIGS. 1-14 , or any other hollow wire described herein. However, the outer coating  212  defines a pair of oppositely disposed wings  214  and  216  substantially as shown. Thus, the hollow wire  210  can be used as a “ribbon wire” as known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example but not by way of limitation, the outer layer  212  may be formed of one or more layers of paper, plastic, rubber, fabric, ribbon material, polymeric material, metal, ceramic, paint, combinations thereof, or any other such material known for the purpose of covering a wire by persons of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0079]     It is to be understood that while the hollow wire  210  is illustrated as having the pair of oppositely disposed wings  214  and  216 , the present invention is not limited to the hollow wire  210  having two wings. For example, the hollow wire  210  may be constructed with a single wing. This embodiment of the present invention would result in the hollow core  211  being disposed on an outer edge of the hollow wire  210 , rather than being disposed in the center  210  of the hollow wire  210 , as shown in  FIGS. 23-24 . In such embodiment, the outer coating  212  may extend around the hollow core  211  and therefore fully cover the hollow core  211 , or a portion of the hollow core  211  may extend beyond the outer coating  212  and thus be exposed.  
         [0080]     Any of the hollow wires described herein may be used in the manner of the hollow wire  210  as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24  or as described elsewhere herein. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 , a hollow wire  220  includes a hollow core  221  covered by an outer layer  222  having a pair of oppositely wings  224  and  226  substantially as shown. The hollow core  221  is provided with a longitudinally extending gap  228  and is similar in construction to the hollow wire  30  hereinbefore described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
         [0081]     Shown in  FIG. 27  is yet another embodiment of hollow wire in accordance with the present invention that is designated therein by the reference numeral  230 . The hollow wire  230  is similar in construction to the hollow wire  10  hereinbefore described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , except that the hollow wire  230  has one or more corrugated or scored portions  232  to facilitate bending of the hollow wire  230 . The corrugated or scored portions  232  may be disposed along only a portion of the length of the hollow wire  230 , substantially as shown in  FIG. 27 , or the corrugated or scored portions  232  may extend substantially along the entire length of the hollow wire  230 . Any of the hollow wires described hereinbefore may be provided with corrugated or scored portions in a similar manner.  
         [0082]     In addition, any of the hollow wires described herein may be provided with at least one interlocking portion that functions to maintain the hollow wire in a bent position. The interlocking portions may be utilized with the corrugated or scored portions  232  as known in the art. In one embodiment, the interlocking portion may be a hook-like extension that engages a groove or triangular crease on another portion of the hollow wire. However, other examples of interlocking portions are known in the art, and therefore the above-described example of an interlocking portion is not to be considered limiting.  
         [0083]     Any of the embodiments of hollow wire of the present invention can be used in a variety of manners, including but not limited to, any uses for which floral wire is acceptable, including but not limited to, floral arranging, craft or hobby uses, home decor uses, and other various decorative uses. For example,  FIGS. 28-33  demonstrate five uses of a hollow wire  240  (which may be any of the hollow wires hereinbefore described) in supporting a single plant stem  242  of a flower or plant  244 . In  FIG. 28 , the hollow wire  240  is wrapped about the plant stem  242  by methods known in the art for wrapping floral wire about a plant stem. In  FIG. 29 , the hollow wire  240  is inserted into the plant stem  242  of the flower or plant  244  by methods known in the art for inserting floral wire into a plant stem. In  FIG. 30 , the hollow wire  240  is extended along the plant stem  242  of the flower or plant  244  and provides support at an upper portion thereof, wherein the hollow wire  240  is hooked about or through a portion of the plant stem  245 .  
         [0084]     In  FIG. 31 , the hollow wire  240  is disposed substantially parallel to and substantially adjacent at least a portion of the plant stem  242  of the flower or plant  244 . Rather than wrapping the hollow wire  240  about the plant stem  242 , the hollow wire  240  and the plant stem  242  are simply placed side-by-side, and floral tape  246  is then wrapped about at least a portion thereof to hold the hollow wire  240  in position about the plant stem  242  and provide support thereto. In  FIG. 32 , the hollow wire  240  is inserted into the plant stem  242  or a portion of a flower head  248  (such as a calyx of the flower head  248 ) of the flower or plant  244  and extends up into the flower head  248  of the flower or plant  244 . A hook  249  is then formed in the end of the hollow wire  240  extending through the flower head  248 , and the hollow wire  240  is then pulled back down through the flower  242  until the hook is firmly embedded in the flower head  248 . The portion of the hollow wire  240  disposed adjacent the plant stem  242  may then be wrapped thereabout, as described in relation to  FIG. 28 , or taped thereabout, as described in relation to  FIG. 31 .  
         [0085]     In another method, the hollow wire  240  may be inserted as described for  FIG. 32 , except that the hollow wire  240  does not extend through the flower head  248 . That is, the hollow wire  240  is inserted into the plant stem  242  or a portion of the flower head  248  without extending above the top of the flower head  248  to form the loop  249 ; in this fashion, an upper end of the hollow wire  240  is not visible in the manner shown in  FIG. 32 .  
         [0086]     In  FIG. 33 , at least a portion of the plant stem  242  of the flower or plant  244  is inserted into the hollow wire  240 .  
         [0087]     Any of the techniques described herein with reference to  FIGS. 28-33 , as well as any other methods described herein or known in the art, may be utilized to lengthen the stem of a flower in addition to providing support thereto. This lengthening is accomplished by simply having the hollow wire extend beyond the plant stem.  
         [0088]     Once the hollow wire  240  is disposed about or through the plant stem  242  by any of the methods shown in  FIGS. 28-33  or otherwise known in the art, the plant stem  242  and hollow wire  240  may be wrapped with floral tape is desired, and can then be inserted together into a floral foam or other floral support material for supporting the plant. Alternatively, a number of flowers and/or plants can be combined to form a floral grouping. When combined to form the floral grouping, only one or only a portion of the floral grouping may have hollow wire disposed thereabout to support the individual flowers and/or plants.  
         [0089]     Optionally, rather than disposing hollow wire about one or more individual flowers and/or plants that are then utilized in producing a floral grouping, a plurality of flowers and/or plants may be first combined to form the floral grouping, and then at least one piece of hollow wire disposed about the floral grouping. For example,  FIG. 34  depicts a floral grouping  250  comprising a grouping of flowers, each having a plant stem  252 . The flowers are bunched together such that the plurality of plants stems  252  are brought into close proximity to one another, and then at least one hollow wire  254  (which may be any of the hollow wires herein before described) is wrapped about the plurality of plant stems  252  to secure the floral grouping.  
         [0090]     Any of the methods described herein may include the step of taping at least a portion of wired flower(s) and/or plant(s) with floral tape. Taping serves several purposes, including but not limited to, holding moisture into the stem of a flower or plant, concealing the hollow wire, and ensuring that the flower/plant does not slip out of a wired mount.  
         [0091]      FIG. 35  depicts a corsage  260  produced using a hollow wire  262  of the present invention. The hollow wire  262  may be any of the hollow wires described herein. The corsage  260  comprises at least one flower  264 , and may further comprise at least one filler material  266 . Examples of filler materials utilized in the art of corsage making include, but are not limited to, babies breath, leaves, ribbons, bows, and combinations thereof. The flower  264  and the at least one filler material  266  are placed together such that at least a portion of their stems are substantially adjacent and parallel. Then the hollow wire  262  is wrapped about at least a portion thereof by any of the methods described herein or known in the art. The stems with hollow wire  262  disposed thereabout may further be wrapped with floral tape, if desired.  
         [0092]     The hollow wire of the present invention may also be used to construct various wire forms that are utilized in various floral and craft embodiments.  FIG. 36  is a top plan view of a wire netting or mesh  270  which may be employed in the construction of various types of floral arrangements, such as corsages, floral wreaths, and the like. Any of the hollow wires hereinbefore described can be employed in the construction of the wire netting or mesh  270 ; and the wire netting or mesh  270  can be formed using conventional procedures well known in the art. In addition, the wire netting or mesh  270  may be used in a substantially flattened form as shown in  FIG. 36 , or the wire netting or mesh  270  may be shaped into any desired floral or craft form known in the art. Other types of floral or craft wire forms are known in the art, and the use of hollow wire in the construction of the same also falls within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the wire netting or mesh  270  formed of the hollow wire of the present invention may also be utilized in the formation of fencing or caging materials, such as but not limited to, animal or poultry-type fencing, tomato caging, and the like.  
         [0093]     Referring now to  FIG. 37 , shown therein is a pictorial representation of a wreath  280  supported on an easel  282  via a support member  284 . The support member  284  may assume any floral wire form known in the art, and can be fabricated using any of the hollow wire hereinbefore describe; therefore, the particular form of the support member  284  shown in  FIG. 37  is for the purposes of illustration only. The support member  284  is of conventional construction, as is the construction of the wreath  280  and its attachment to the support member  284 . Thus, no further comments concerning the construction of the support member  284  or its connection to the wreath  280  or the easel  282  is believed necessary in order to enable those skilled in the art to construct and use the support member  284  constructed of the hollow wires of the present invention.  
         [0094]     In addition, at least a portion of the floral easel  282  of  FIG. 37  may also be formed of a hollow wire in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0095]     Referring now to  FIGS. 38-40 , shown therein is a floral easel or plaque  290  for use with a headstone, monument stone and/or casket. The terms “easel”, “plaque” and “saddle” are used herein interchangeably in describing the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 38-40 .  
         [0096]     At least a portion of the floral easel or plaque  290  is constructed utilizing hollow wires of the present invention. For example, at least a portion of the floral easel or plaque  290  can be fabricated of the hollow wire  10  or any other hollow wire hereinbefore described, and if desired, at least a portion of the hollow wire can be provided with a coating, such as but not limited to the outer coatings  192 ,  202  or  212  of the hollow wires  190 ,  200  or  210 , respectively.  FIG. 39  depicts the use of the floral easel or plaque  290  in supporting a floral grouping  292  attached thereto on a casket  294 , whereas  FIG. 40  illustrates the use of the floral easel or plaque  290  in supporting the floral grouping  292  on a headstone  296 .  
         [0097]     The construction of the floral easel or plaque  290  is well known, as is the use of same to support a floral grouping on a casket and/or a stone in a cemetery. Thus, no further comments concerning the construction of the floral easel or plaque  290  or the attachment of the floral grouping  292  thereto is believed necessary for one skilled in the art to construct and employ a stone and/or casket floral easel utilizing the hollow wires of the present invention.  
         [0098]     In addition, while one specific embodiment of a floral easel or plaque for use with caskets and/or monuments is described in illustrated herein, it is to be understood that any variations in floral easels or plaques known in the art and utilized for this same purpose also fall within the scope of the present invention when formed of hollow wire in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0099]     Further, it is to be understood that the floral easels, plaques and/or saddles formed of hollow wire in accordance with the present invention may be utilized for any desired purpose, for example but not by way of limitation, with caskets, tombstones, headstones, stone monuments, and any other type of memorial.  
         [0100]     Other uses of the hollow wire of the present invention will become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art of the floral industry or other industries in which wires may be used, including, but not limited to bag-closing wires, bale ties, pail handles, spiral bindings, (such as spiral bound notebooks), staples, craft and hobby wire, greening pins, staple wire, nails and the like may apply.  
         [0101]     Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various components, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.  
         [0102]     From the above description, it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While certain embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the invention disclosed and claimed.