Abstract:
A liquid impermeable floral display device comprising an upper portion capable of receiving a floral grouping therein; and a lower portion in communication with the upper portion, wherein the lower portion includes a base portion, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are capable of moving to and from a substantially collapsed storage position, to and from a semi-expanded floral retaining position, and to and from a substantially expanded upright floral display position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This application relates generally to a floral display device. More specifically, this application relates to a floral display device, which is collapsible and capable of displaying a floral grouping in both a semi-expanded and expanded position. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    Floral groupings typically include an arrangement of cut flowers. The flowers are typically cut such that they each have longer stems. A substantial portion of the stems is typically wrapped in a polymeric or paper sheet such that the blooms remain visible. This sheet material is generally thin and, as such, is not particularly durable. Moreover, the sheet material is incapable of keeping the stems adequately hydrated, thus compromising the freshness and life of the floral grouping. Consequently, floral groupings frequently remain wrapped in the sheet material only for a short amount of time. Floral groupings are then typically removed from the sheet material and placed within a vase in order to better display them as well as hydrate them in order to extend their lives. However, moving the floral groupings from the sheet material to a vase is messy. Furthermore, most vases are constructed from fragile material, such as glass or ceramic, and prone to being broken if tipped over or dropped. Therefore, there is a significant need for a device or vase which is useful for both transporting and displaying floral groupings, while also keeping the floral groupings hydrated. 
         [0003]    This application discloses a device or vase that is economical to produce, of simple construction and capable of mass production, but also capable of providing a user a suitable means to transport and display floral groupings. 
         [0004]    In particular, this application discloses a liquid impermeable floral display device comprising an upper portion capable of receiving a floral grouping therein; and a lower portion in communication with said upper portion, wherein said lower portion includes a base portion, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion are capable of moving to and from a substantially collapsed storage position, to and from a semi-expanded floral retaining position, and to and from a substantially expanded upright floral display position. 
         [0005]    This application also discloses a collapsible vase for holding a floral grouping comprising an upper portion comprising an upper opening and a lower opening, wherein said upper portion is selectively movable from a collapsed position, wherein said upper portion is substantially flat, to an expanded position, wherein said upper portion is capable of receiving a floral grouping therein; and a fluid impermeable lower portion comprising an upper aperture and a closed base, said upper aperture in communication with said lower opening of said upper portion, wherein said lower portion is selectively movable from a collapsed position, wherein said lower portion is substantially flat, to an expanded position, wherein said lower portion is capable of receiving a fluid and a portion of said floral grouping therein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a floral display device showing a floral grouping within the device; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  showing the floral grouping removed from the device; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  showing the device in a semi-expanded position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  showing the device in an expanded position with the solid lines, and the device in a collapsed position with the hidden lines; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  showing the device in a collapsed position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  showing the device in a semi-expanded position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  showing the device in a collapsed position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a floral display device showing a floral grouping within the device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a second perspective view of the device of  FIG. 8  showing the floral grouping removed from the device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 8  showing the device in a semi-expanded position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 8  showing the device in an expanded position with the solid lines, and the device in a collapsed position with the hidden lines; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 8  showing the device in an expanded position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 8  showing the device in a semi-expanded position; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 8  showing the device in a collapsed position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    While the present floral display device is described with reference to several illustrative embodiments described herein, it should be clear that the present invention should not be limited to such embodiments. Therefore, the description of the embodiments provided herein is illustrative of the present invention and should not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , a first embodiment of the floral display device or vase  10  is shown. The vase  10  is operable to hold and display a floral grouping  20 . The vase  10  generally includes an upper portion  30  and a lower portion  40 . The vase  10  may be constructed from a uniform sheet of semi-flexible material, such as an extruded or molded polymer, to form the upper and lower portions  30 ,  40 . Alternatively, the vase  10  may be constructed from a uniform sheet of semi-flexible material whereby the sheet is sealed on at least one edge to form the upper and lower portions  30 ,  40 . Of course, the vase  10  may be constructed from any suitable material, including but not limited to laminated corrugated cardboard, a composite material, etc. 
         [0023]    The upper portion  30  includes a first set of sidewalls  50  and a second set of sidewalls  60 . However, it will be appreciated that the upper portion  30  may have any suitable number of sidewalls; furthermore, while the sidewalls  50 ,  60  of each respective set are shown as generally converging towards one another, it will be appreciated that the sidewalls  50 ,  60  of each set may be at any suitable orientation relative to one another. 
         [0024]    The first set of sidewalls  50  may be generally perpendicular to the second set of sidewalls  60  such that the upper portion  30  has a generally square cross-section. However, it will be appreciated that the vase  10  may have any suitable cross-section. Each sidewall  50 ,  60  includes an upper edge  70 , which together define an upper opening  80  in the upper portion  30 . Similarly, each sidewall  50 ,  60  includes a lower edge  90 , which together define a lower opening  100  in the upper portion  30 . In the illustrative embodiment, the upper opening  80  has a width greater than that of the lower opening  100 ; however it will be appreciated that the openings  80 ,  100  may have substantially similar widths or that the width of the lower opening  100  may be greater than that of the upper opening  80 . 
         [0025]    The second set of sidewalls  60  may each include a fold line  110 . As will be discussed further below, each sidewall  60  may be folded at its fold line  110  when the vase  10  is moved to either the collapsed position or the semi-expanded position. 
         [0026]    The lower portion  40  includes a first set of sidewalls  120  and a second set of sidewalls  130 . However, it will be appreciated that the lower portion  40  may have any suitable number of sidewalls; furthermore, while the sidewalls  120 ,  130  of each respective set are shown as generally converging towards one another, it will be appreciated that the sidewalls  120 ,  130  of each set may be at any suitable orientation relative to one another. 
         [0027]    The first set of sidewalls  120  may be generally perpendicular to the second set of sidewalls  130  such that the lower portion  40  has a generally square cross-section. However, it will be appreciated that the vase  10  may have any suitable cross-section. Each sidewall  120 ,  130  includes an upper edge  140 , which together define an upper aperture  150  in the lower portion  40 . The upper edges  140  of the lower portion  40  are coupled to the lower edges  90  of the upper portion  30 . In addition, each sidewall  120 ,  130  includes a lower edge  900  which is coupled to a base portion  160 . In the illustrative embodiment, the upper aperture  150  has a width smaller than that of the base portion  160 ; however it will be appreciated that the upper aperture  150  and base portion  160  may have substantially similar widths or that the width of the upper aperture  150  may be greater than that of the base portion  160 . 
         [0028]    The second set of sidewalls  130  may each include a fold line  170 . As will be discussed further below, each sidewall  130  may be folded at its fold line  130  when the vase  10  is moved to either the collapsed position or the semi-expanded position. Similarly, the base portion  160  may also include one or more fold lines  180 ; the base  160  may be folded at its fold line(s)  180  when the vase in moved to either the collapsed position or the semi-expanded position. 
         [0029]    The upper portion  30  and lower portion  40 , either in conjunction with one another or separately, are each movable to and from a collapsed storage position ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ), to and from a semi-expanded position ( FIGS. 3 and 6 ), and to and from an expanded position ( FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 ). In the collapsed position, the first sets of sidewalls  50 ,  120  are adjacent to one another while the second sets of sidewalls  60 ,  130  are collapsed and folded at their respective fold lines  110 ,  170 . 
         [0030]    In the semi-expanded position, the respective sidewalls are spaced from one another whereby the vase  10  may receive a floral grouping  20  therein. In the semi-expanded position, the second sets of sidewalls  60 ,  130  may be partially folded at their respective fold lines  110 ,  170 . Advantageously, the lower portion  40  is capable of retaining a fluid, such as water, whereby the ends of the floral grouping may remain hydrated thereby keeping the floral grouping  20  fresh for a longer period of time. 
         [0031]    In the expanded position, the respective sidewalls are spaced from one another whereby the vase  10  may receive a floral grouping  20  therein and maintain the floral grouping  20  in an upright position. A weighted material may be added to the lower portion  40  to assist in supporting the vase  10  in the upright position. The weighted material may be a fluid, such as water, sand, pebbles, marbles, etc. Other suitable weighted material for supporting the vase  10  in the upright position will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8-14 , a second illustrative embodiment of a floral display device or vase  200  is shown. The vase  200  is similar to that of the first embodiment described above; thus, like numerals for like elements will be used throughout. The primary difference between the first illustrative embodiment and the second illustrative embodiment is that the second embodiment is that the upper portion  30  has two sidewalls  210  and a rear wall  220  and the lower portion  40  has two sidewalls  230  and a rear wall  240 . Each rear wall  220 ,  230  has an arcuate cross-section. Additionally, the upper edges  70  of the sidewalls  210  are angled towards one another such that the opening  80  displays more of the floral grouping  20 . 
         [0033]    The upper portion  30  and lower portion  40 , either in conjunction with one another or separately, are each movable to and from a collapsed storage position ( FIG. 14 ), to and from a semi-expanded position ( FIGS. 10 and 13 ), and to and from an expanded position ( FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  11  and  12 ). In the collapsed position, at least one of the sidewalls  210 ,  230  is collapsed and folded at a respective fold line  110 ,  170 . 
         [0034]    In the semi-expanded position, the sidewalls  210 ,  230  are spaced from a corresponding rear wall  220 ,  240  whereby the vase  200  may receive a floral grouping  20  therein. In the semi-expanded position, the sidewalls  210 ,  230  may be partially folded at their respective fold lines  110 ,  170 . Advantageously, the lower portion  40  is capable of retaining a fluid, such as water, whereby the ends of the floral grouping may remain hydrated thereby keeping the floral grouping  20  fresh for a longer period of time. 
         [0035]    In the expanded position, the sidewalls  210 ,  230  are spaced from a corresponding rear wall  220 ,  240  whereby the vase  200  may receive a floral grouping  20  therein and maintain the floral grouping  20  in an upright position. A weighted material may be added to the lower portion  40  to assist in supporting the vase  200  in the upright position. The weighted material may be a fluid, such as water, sand, pebbles, marbles, etc. Other suitable weighted material for supporting the vase  200  in the upright position will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0036]    While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.