Abstract:
A reusable flower bouquet arranging apparatus is presented for creating a hand-held bouquet with a hand tied appearance as would be used for a wedding bouquet or nosegay. Made from plastic with a plurality of spaced apart apertures, it can be used to make arrangements having an overall shape that is domed, cascading, crescent-shaped, heart-shaped, oval or several other configurations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a perfection of Provisional Application No. 62/045,142, filed on Sep. 3, 2014, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to an apparatus for quickly and easily manipulating flowers into evenly distributed patterns to create a flower bouquet of a specific size and shape. This apparatus joins a plurality of flower stems into a tube to form the bouquet handle resulting in a three-dimensional bouquet where each flower is situated in a fixed position and at a proper height. The invention achieves a well-balanced, aesthetically pleasing flower bouquet with repeatable end use assembly. 
         [0004]    The apparatus allows for changes to be made to a bouquet after initial assembly/formation so that new and/or replacement flowers can be inserted and then later removed. The apparatus can be used to create a flower bouquet with any type of material; fresh flowers and greenery, artificial flowers, or other products like jeweled brooches that are increasingly popular in flower bouquets. With predefined insertion points, this apparatus minimizes floral waste. And with its preferred dome, it makes bouquet assembly easy and quick. Furthermore, this device provides for the consistent assembly of bouquets, i.e., allowing for substantially the same bouquet to be constructed at two or more locations, thereby promoting greater arrangement duplication/consistency. 
         [0005]    The apparatus of this invention is hemispherical, preferably dome-shaped, or of another similar three-dimensional configuration, any one of which has an enhanced outer edge for rigidity containing: a specified number of flexible apertures and specifically sized slits for flower insertion, a flexible tube handle to cover the flower stems, an optional flexible fluted tube handle collar placed above the flexible tube handle to aid in covering stems coming into the tube at an angle, and a stretchable fabric-like wrapper for the tube handle. Any dome shape and size can be manufactured and used to create the desired bouquet. The outer rim of that dome can be further enhanced with a plurality of smaller, simplified apertures into which may be inserted additional complimentary greenery if needed, or as desired. 
         [0006]    2. Description of Relevant Art 
         [0007]    Flower bouquet holders utilizing a foam head or a foam enclosed in a cage, with an integrated handle have been used extensively in the past. The use of these holders, however, requires some floral design experience and knowledge of the correct placement of flowers and greenery into that foam head for achieving a well-balanced, three-dimensional bouquet. 
         [0008]    Various bouquet holders are known as shown and described in: Smithers U.S. Pat. No. 2,765,585, Hrivi U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,365, Hasty U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,644. Graham et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,189, Ghiotti U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,841 and Miller U.S. Pat. No. 7,310,910. Some disadvantages with the foregoing devices include: (1) the floral design experience needed to assure that flowers get placed in the correct positions for achieving a well balanced bouquet; (2) the foam area available is quite limited. So, after a flower is inserted into the foam, valuable space is taken up thus further limiting the amount of space remaining for additional flower stems; (3) if a designer removes a flower from the foam and inserts another flower therein, it is difficult to re-use the empty hole and assure that his/her replacement flower stem will remain secure in that foam base; (4) the foam head, with repeated insertions and occasional stem removals, begins to break down or disintegrate, thereby leading to flowers falling out from the arrangement prematurely. That, in turn, requires securing such flowers back in the assembled bouquet with wire or other fastening devices. Finally, (5) the aforementioned plastic handles are sometimes difficult to hold, especially for extended periods of time, and have been known to bend with heavier flower arrangements. 
         [0009]    Although not for specific use as a hand-carried bride&#39;s bouquet, Matteucci U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,452 and the Fresh Flower Bouquet System of Foster Published U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/217,416 (2006) utilize a vase or vessel grid-like cap, wherein flowers are inserted into grid holes. There are also problems with any flat grid system. They are two-dimensional, and require a more experienced, or professional, floral designer to arrange the flowers three-dimensionally therein. As such, they are not conducive towards assembling into a hand-held flower bouquet, let alone repeatable duplicative bouquets. 
         [0010]    For traditional hand-tied bouquet methods that do not utilize a foam-type bouquet holder, the assembly of a flower bouquet is not straightforward and rather time-consuming. With or without a foam head device or grid, the assembly of any flower bouquet requires knowledge of: (1) floral design methodology in the selection of product, (2) the correct placement of flowers to achieve the desired result, and (3) the correct use of floral industry tools and supplies (such as picks, tapes, wires and the like) for properly securing a flower arrangement. 
         [0011]    Use of these fastening products to create a hand-held flower bouquet is a time-consuming process because it must first be decided where to place the next flower. Each flower must then be fastened to the bouquet . . . one flower at a time. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention is an apparatus that quickly and easily creates a three-dimensional bouquet that is proportionally correct and well balanced with each flower duly secured into a fixed position and at the correct height. 
         [0013]    Brides may request a bouquet of any size or shape. The device of this invention would likely be manufactured for accommodating at least three sizes. But for purposes of this disclosure, no specific dimensions are given as the bouquet size could vary, depending on latest trends, customer preference, different shapes that may come into style. 
         [0014]    The apparatus, generally  10  includes a main holder  12  that is available in several configurations (round, tear-drop or other geometrical shape) and in varying sizes: 8-12″ for a typically round wedding bouquet or 6″ for a nosegay. Sometimes, the overall size of a flower arrangement may vary with the bride&#39;s desires, strength (i.e., ability to carry a heavier bouquet) and/or body shape (i.e., smaller arrangements for shorter or more petite framed brides). Still other potential shapes include a cascade, crescent, Hogarth (or S-curve), diagonal, heart, triangular (or pyramidal), oval or horizontal-shape with flowers flowing down from the arm or hand-held arrangement. The larger of these shapes, especially the oval and/or horizontal varieties, are suitable for use as table centerpieces. Each holder will contain a plurality of apertures (or slits)  20  for accepting flower stems F, usually one stem per aperture. 
         [0015]    The apparatus includes a tube  60  and optional tube collar  30  for “housing” a plurality of flower stems F. The tube  60  and tube collar  30  are made of flexible plastic sheet rolled into the shapes shown. Slits  40  in the upper half of tube collar  30  permit its further expansion to provide additional coverage of stems F as they converge at a joining point. 
         [0016]    The tube  60  and tube collar  30  may be manufactured from plastic or any other malleable material such as aluminum. Ideally, both may be bent (or hand-molded) to provide a more comfortable grip for the eventual bouquet carrier/holder. Tube  60  and tube collar  30  may also be manufactured in any color and/or texture (embossed). The tube  60  may be fully or partially encrusted with glued-on crystals, pearls, jewels or other ornamentation, thereby eliminating the need for a ribbon or other wrapper  80  thereover. 
         [0017]    The present vertical split  70  in tube  60  and vertical splits  40  in tube collar  30  may be pulled open, and using the expansion resistance present, hold the multiple flower stems F in place. Tube collar  30  and tube  60  may also be easily slipped onto (or over) these flower stems F from the bottom of the assembled arrangement and then pulled up to the highest joining point of the flower stems F, provided the overall diameter of the joined stems F does not exceed the diameter of tube  60 . 
         [0018]    A stretchable fabric-like sleeve (wrapper)  80  is shown having the same diameter as tube  60  and may completely cover it. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Further features, objectives and advantages for these inventions will become clearer when referring to the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying photographs in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a side plan view of one embodiment of bouquet holder apparatus according to this invention broken down into its primary components, i.e., a main holder (its dome-shape being representative), a tube collar, a tube wrapper and one representative stemmed flower for inserting into one of the apertures in the main holder; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of just the main holder (dome) from  FIG. 1  with its plurality of primary apertures  20 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the main holder (dome) from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a side plan view taken along lines IV-IV of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of domed main holder with its plurality of primary apertures  120  and smaller secondary apertures  126 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the alternate main holder (dome) from  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a side plan view taken along lines VII-VII of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8A  is a top view of a first embodiment of aperture/slit  24  according to this invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8B  is a top view of a second embodiment of aperture/slit  123 ,  124 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8C  is a top view of a third embodiment of aperture/slit  224 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8D  is a top view of a fourth embodiment of aperture/slit  324 , with optional slits  325 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8E  is a top view of a fifth embodiment of a gapped aperture/slit  426 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8F  is a top view of a sixth embodiment of a five-standing aperture/slit  524 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of an optional tube collar  30  with slits  40  for allowing extra room for the expansion of flower stems between flower head and tube collar  30 . It includes a vertical slit  50  that lets this tube collar expand for the wrapping of stems therein. It also shows a tube  60  as the flower bouquet handle, said tube having a vertical slit  70  that permits expansion for wrapping around gathered stems; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the optional stretchable tube wrapper  80 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a completed flower bouquet using the apparatus of this invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12A  is a top plan view of a first alternative configuration for a cascade-shaped arrangement; 
           [0037]      FIG. 12B  is a top plan view of a second alternative configuration for a crescent-shaped arrangement; 
           [0038]      FIG. 12C  is a top plan view of a third alternative configuration for a Hogarth (or S-) curve shaped arrangement; 
           [0039]      FIG. 12D  is a top plan view of a fourth alternative configuration for a diagonal-shaped arrangement; 
           [0040]      FIG. 12E  is a top plan view of a fifth alternative configuration for a heart-shaped arrangement; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12F  is a top plan view of a sixth alternative configuration for a triangular-shaped arrangement; 
           [0042]      FIG. 12G  is a top plan view of a seventh alternative configuration for an oval-shaped arrangement; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 12H  is a top plan view of a seventh alternative configuration for a horizontal-shaped arrangement. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]    When referring to the alternate embodiments of main holders (dome-shaped or otherwise), apertures/slits, etc. herein, it is to be understood that common components will be commonly numbered though in the next hundred series. 
         [0045]    While shown in a round, hemispherical or dome shape, it is to be understood that still other configurations/shapes may be practiced according to this invention. For instance, for a table centerpiece, there may be an elongated bread loaf-shaped, centerpiece flower holder. For still other bride-desired arrangements, pre-shaped apparatus may include a main holder that is; cascade-shaped, like element  212  in  FIG. 12A ; crescent-shaped like holder  312  in  FIG. 12B ; Hogarth or S-curve shaped like holder  412  in  FIG. 12C ; diagonal shaped like holder  512  in  FIG. 12D ; heart-shaped like holder  612  in  FIG. 12E ; triangular (or pyramidal)-shaped like holder  712  in  FIG. 12F ; oval-shaped like holder  812  in  FIG. 12G ; and/or horizontal-shaped like holder  912  in  FIG. 12H . All such alternate configurations include one or more of the various inventive aspects described below. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , main holder (dome)  12  of apparatus  10  is configured to have a hemispherical cross-sectional shape, from the top  14  of that dome to its base or lower perimeter/edge  16 . Each dome  12  will include a plurality of apertures (or slits)  20 , usually inside of a surrounding circular perimeter  22  with a crosscut  24  across the diameter of perimeter  22  in two or more locations of each aperture/slit  20 . These apertures/slits  20  are situated a predefined distance from one another, each aperture/slit being capable of holding the stem of a flower F pushed therein. In the case of this preferred dome configuration, there is also an uppermost, central aperture  18 . 
         [0047]    These apertures/slits  20  should have sufficient flexibility for pulling through materials with one or more leaves attached (intact). The larger leaves might need to be removed, but smaller materials/greens may be pulled through such apertures. This applies to both artificial and fresh flower arrangements. 
         [0048]    Main holder  12  is preferably constructed of plastic as that term is used in a generic sense. It could be a polyvinyl chloride PVC, a sufficiently rigid PTFE blend or other composite-like construction. A rigid synthetic plastic is preferred for its construction, with flexible slits/holes or apertures  20 . Alternately, main holder  12  may be made from a polycarbonate shell using rubber-like silicone about its apertures  20 . To a lesser preferred degree, main holder  12  could be constructed of a non-plastic material such as aluminum provided it is rigid enough to withstand the force of repeatedly pushing or pulling flower stems F (live or artificial or both) through its apertures  20  without collapsing. 
         [0049]    During assembly, the heads to the respective flowers F shall come to rest on an uppermost surface of main holder  12 . As such, this dome prevents the bunch of flower heads from being placed too high or too low in relation to the one another. 
         [0050]    The stems of flowers F that are inserted shall protrude loosely below main holder (dome)  12  while the remaining flowers F get inserted into other apertures/slits within this main holder  12 . A first flower F is inserted into the centermost aperture  18 , with other flowers F added sequentially, working from the inner circle to the outer rim of the dome all the way down to its lowermost perimeter  16 . Except for this centermost first flower F, the user may elect to slightly bend or curve the stem from its flower head to approximately 5″ down. This will help hold all other (subsequent) flower stems in the center of the arrangement. 
         [0051]    Excess greenery from the bottom two thirds of each flower stem F may be removed prior to insertion into its aperture  20 . Determination of any additional greenery to be removed from the flowers may be made after final assembly, as greenery in the upper third of the stem (just below the main holder  12 ) will usually provide adequate coverage of bare stems. The purpose of removing the lowest leaves from the respective flowers avoids having these leaves take up unnecessary space within tube  60 . 
         [0052]    The thickness of the combined stems may be greater than the diameter desired for the bouquet handle. One solution is to first insert all of the flower stems into their apertures  20  before cutting any number of stems to a depth below the top rim of tube collar  30 . Then using any floral adhesive, the arranger should secure the cut and loose stem to the tube collar and/or adjacent stems if needed. 
         [0053]    Additionally, the area below main holder  12  may be enhanced with a decorative base of tulle, lace, or other fabric that will be secured in place when the tube collar  30  is pushed up to the joining point for all the flower stems. This addition of decorative product (inserted between the tube collar  30  and underside of main holder  12 ) helps fill in any gaps and assists in camouflaging those sections of flower stems extending below the main holder  12 . Slits  40  in the upper half of tube collar  30  may expand to provide additional coverage of any stem extensions from the dome to the common joining point. 
         [0054]    Vertical split  50  in tube collar  30  may be used to force (or split open) the tube collar  30 . Using the expansion resistance present, it can then wrap and hold the flower stems in place. Alternately, tube collar  30  may be slipped up and over the flower stems F from the bottom of the arrangement. There, it can be pulled/raised to the highest possible joining point of the combined stems provided the overall diameter of these joined stems does not exceed the maximum diameter of tube collar  30  bottom. 
         [0055]    Tube  60  can cover the remaining flower stems while further serving as the bouquet handle. A vertical split  70  in tube  60  may be used to force (or split) it open sufficiently for wrapping and holding the flower stems in place using the expansion resistance present. Alternately, tube  60  may be slipped over these stems from the bottom of the arrangement and pulled up to the highest possible point before slipping into the bottom of tube collar  30 , if utilized, or pushed to the topmost convergence point of the stems, provided the overall diameter of the joined stems does not exceed the maximum diameter of tube  60 . 
         [0056]    Towards completion of the arrangement, the user will determine if it&#39;s necessary to turn the flower heads or fluff the petals to cover any gaps (empty spaces). To incorporate fillers or other secondary or tertiary material, the user may make use of the same apertures as used for the main flower, or incorporate material into a plurality of smaller, secondary apertures shown as element  126  in  FIGS. 5 through 7 , for example. Furthermore, the apertures/slits, themselves, may assume the standard size and shape (across the full diameter of a circular surround  22 ,  122 ,  222 ,  322 ,  422 ,  522 ,  622  and  722  as shown in the accompanying drawings). Or, as shown in the alternate slit shapes of  FIGS. 8B through 8F , these same slits may include: a larger central aperture  123  with cut lines  124  extending outwardly therefrom ( FIG. 8B ); between three to eight cut lines alone ( FIG. 8C  depicting a trio of such for representative purposes), none of which extend from circular perimeter to circular perimeter; a plurality of main cut lines  324 , with optional additional cuts shown in dotted lines  325  in  FIG. 8D ; a purposefully gapped set of cut cross-sectional lines, spaced apart as per element  426  in  FIG. 8E ; and/or a set of cut lines ALONE, element  524  in  FIG. 8F , without any “formal” circular perimeter surround. The intent behind any such aperture/slit configuration is to maximize how far the aperture can be spread “open” for the passage of thicker stemmed flowers (live or artificial) therethrough without detrimentally impacting the chance for subsequent removal of flowers and possible reuse of the main holder in another, second flower arrangement. These various aperture/slit configurations should accommodate various flower stem “sizes” without ripping the underlying “holes” too excessively. 
         [0057]    A standard dimension for a hand-tied bouquet handle is usually about two hand-lengths (or an average of about 7.5 to 8 inches long). Ideally, tube  60  may be manufactured with one or two break away sections that can be easily removed using perforations built into tube  60 . They can provide for an immediate adjustment to the overall height/length of tube  60  as desired. 
         [0058]    When using fresh flowers, stems may be purposefully left protruding from the bottom of tube  60  to enable suspension of the assembled bouquet in a water container for maintaining freshness of the arrangement until needed. In some instances, the final bouquet design may leave these protruding stems. But more often, such stems are cut to a blunt and even edge before being encased in a wrapping. 
         [0059]    When using artificial flowers, their lower stems may also be left protruding from the bottom of tube  60  for a more “natural” appearance. Otherwise, for both artificial and fresh flowers, excess stem lengths may be trimmed away with wire cutters for artificial flowers and with scissors or a florist&#39;s knife for fresh (or live) flower arrangements. A stretchable fabric-like sleeve (wrapper)  80  having about the same diameter as tube  60  may then be used to cover the handle. Manufactured from any number of materials, this wrapper could be provided in any number of colors or styles. 
         [0060]    Prior to wrapping tube  60  with stretchable tube sleeve  80  or any other wrapping material, it is important for the arranger/assembler to secure the bottom of stems to tube  60  using OASIS brand Floral Adhesive, acceptable for use on both fresh and artificial materials. After allowing the glue to dry for 24-36 hours, the stretchable sleeve  80  or other wrapping is attached there over. 
         [0061]    Other tube  60  wrappers might include ribbon, raffia, tulle, lace and fabric trim. Additionally, tube  60  may be covered with glued-on crystals, pearls, jewels or other material that will match the colors of the event (i.e., wedding colors). 
         [0062]    To a less preferred extent, it may be desired (in some instances) to add another piece to the device, namely a snap-in bottom shield (not shown) for beneath the main holder. Like a concave-shaped, salad bowl cover, it would be rigid while also connecting to/about the tube. 
         [0063]    It may also be prudent to assist less-experienced arrangers by adding some type of color coding system about the various aperture surrounds (also not shown). In that instance, larger holes may be coded in green surrounds, medium-sized holes in blue and the smallest holes for accessorizing greenery in red surrounded holes. 
         [0064]    Having described the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims below.