Abstract:
A multi-functional 2-piece bouquet holder that shortens the time required to construct a floral bouquet and provides dual uses for the floral portion and the handle portion. The 2-piece hand-held floral bouquet holder comprises a handle portion and a head portion that are releasably connected together. The handle portion includes a replaceable re-hydration cartridge that allows for selected re-hydration of the flowers in the bouquet. When the head portion is not attached to the handle, the head portion can be attached to an adjustable stand, a storage unit or to a display unit. The adjustable stand assists in construction of the floral bouquet by allowing the florist to place the head portion in any desired position. The present bouquet holder also includes an attachment device that allows functional accessories to be added to the bouquet. A full line of accessories can also be provided for attachment to the bouquet. The storage unit allows for safe refrigerated storage of the head portions/floral bouquets and uses a minimal amount of refrigeration space. The display unit allows a head/floral portion to be displayed on tables or other flat surfaces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of floral bouquets and more specifically to an improved multi-functional floral bouquet holder. 
         [0002]    A traditional hand held bouquet holder is designed as a 1-piece unit. The standard 1-piece hand-held floral bouquet holder includes a head portion, comprising a cone-base and a cage-like structure that covers the cone-base, and a solid plastic handle. The head portion is permanently affixed to the handle to form the standard 1-piece floral bouquet holder. One of the functions of the head portion is to hold a block of wettable floral foam. This floral foam is positioned inside the head in such a manner that it is secured inside the volume created by the cone/cage structure. The floral foam is the medium where the stems of the flowers are inserted and kept in place for the bouquet arrangement. The handle and head portions are integrally joined at the bottom of the cone base. 
         [0003]    These standard 1-piece hand-held bouquet holders are individually sold to flower shops and floral bouquet artists/designers where the actual flower bouquets are made by first wetting the foam medium and then inserting the stems of the flowers through the openings in the cage and into the wettable floral foam medium, according to customer orders and creators preference. 
         [0004]    While this standard 1-piece bouquet holder functions reasonable well to hold a bouquet of flowers, it suffers from certain disadvantages associated with the 1-piece construction. Since the bouquet holders are generally made from opaque plain white plastic, the handle is not very eye appealing and it&#39;s lack of texture makes it slippery to grasp. Thus, to make the handle more aesthetically appealing, and to make the plastic handle less slippery, the floral artist/designer usually decorates the handle with colorful woven ribbons, charms, trinkets, and other ornaments. The handle decorating however must be done after the flowers are arranged into the cage of the 1-piece bouquet holder. If the decorating of the handle is done prior to the insertion of the flowers into the foam cage of a 1-piece bouquet holder, water will run on the decorated handle. The physical insertion of the flower stems into the cage displaces the water inside the wettable foam, and the displaced water seeps/drips out from the cage and dampens, discolors, and eventually ruins the pre-decorated handle. Therefore, the handle decorating must be done after the flowers have been arranged. To perform the handle decorating after the flowers have been arranged however is a very cumbersome and time-consuming task. It becomes an exacting and tedious task because the arranged flowers always get in the way. Moreover, because of the difficulties of decorating the handle after the flowers are arranged, sometimes the arranged flowers get damaged while attempting to decorate the handle. Correcting the floral damage may again dampen the partially decorated and completed handle. Storage of 1-piece bouquet holders is also difficult. When storing a completed bouquet inside of a refrigerator with the 1-piece bouquet holder, the decorated handle absorbs moisture that is present in the air inside the reefer and becomes dampened, discolored and possibly ruined. Storage of 1-piece bouquet holders also takes up more refrigerator space then necessary because completed bouquets must be placed on stands to hold the bouquets. 
         [0005]    What is needed in the field is a bouquet holder with a head portion that can be detached from the handle, so that construction and storage of the floral, head portion and decoration of the handle do not interfere with each other. The ideal 2-piece bouquet holder would include a secondary water source in the handle to supplement the moisture in the head portion that is provided to the flowers. 
         [0006]    An ideal bouquet decorating system would also include a stand that connects to the head portion of the bouquet. The ideal stand would adjust in height and also bend to different angles to allow the decorator maximum access to all areas of the head portion. 
         [0007]    The ideal bouquet system would also include a storage unit for storing head portions in a refrigerator and not letting the flowers become dehydrated. The ideal system would also include a secondary display unit for displaying bouquets even after the formal ceremonies have ended. 
         [0008]    The ideal bouquet system will also have the option to add functional accessories that make the bouquet holder more versatile and functional. The ability to add accessories will enable manufacturers to add an endless line of new products and will enable the floral supply store and florist to create an entire section of new products in their wedding department. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A versatile and multi-functional 2-piece bouquet holder that is adapted for holding and hydrating a floral bouquet. The bouquet holder comprises a head portion and a handle. The head portion has an upper section and a lower section. The upper section of the head includes an external structure and an internal medium for holding and hydrating the floral bouquet. The lower section of the head includes the first half of an attachment mechanism. The handle comprises a top portion and an interior. The top portion of the handle includes the second half of the attachment mechanism and allows the top of the handle to releasably attach to the lower section of the head portion. The interior of the handle includes a hydrating solution that can selectively be used to re-hydrate the internal medium and the floral bouquet. 
         [0010]    In the preferred embodiment, the external structure of the head portion is a cage-like structure that extends across a top of the head portion and allows stems and other items to be inserted into the internal medium but prevents the internal medium from falling out of the head portion. The internal medium of the head portion is wettable florist foam. The attachment mechanism is preferably a screw mechanism, wherein the bottom of the head portion acts like a bolt and top of the handle acts like the nut. Of course, other attachment mechanisms, such as a locking snap-on mechanism, a locking clip type mechanism, and insertion locking mechanism, could also be used. The lower section of the head portion includes a hydrating tube that extends from the bottom of the head portion to the internal medium. The hydrating tube provides a conduit between the hydrating solution in the handle and the internal medium. The handle preferably includes a replaceable hydration cartridge. The hydration cartridge comprises a container for holding the hydrating solution and a long, narrow tip that is designed to extend through the hydrating tube. The tip of the hydration cartridge contains a break-off portion which, when broken off creates an opening in the hydration cartridge. After an opened hydration cartridge has been inserted in the handle and the bouquet holder is turned upside-down, the hydrating solution will travel by gravity to the floral foam, upon removal of a release seal. Thus allowing selective re-hydration of the internal medium and the floral bouquet, via the hydrating tube. 
         [0011]    The separate bouquet handle can be pre-made and pre-decorated in advance of construction of the floral bouquet. The decorated handle can be attached to an arranged head portion of the bouquet when needed. Different bouquet handles can be “tried on” to visually see which one best suits the particular arrangement. 
         [0012]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a unique floral bouquet that comprises two pieces, a head portion and a handle, wherein each of the two pieces is multi-functional and may be exquisitely decorated. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a removable head portion that can be attached to an adjustable stand during decoration, placed onto a hydrating storage unit for storage in a refrigerator, and that can be attached to a hydrating display unit and used as a table decoration. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a removable bouquet handle that can be decorated away from the floral, head portion, and attached to the head portion after the head portion has been completed. 
         [0015]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bouquet handle that can house a secondary water source that provides selective, additional re-hydration of the flowers in the head portion. 
         [0016]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide a bouquet holder with an option to add functional accessories that make the bouquet holder more versatile and functional. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The invention of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, given only by way of example, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the preferred embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the preferred embodiment with a decorated handle; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a side view of two adjustable stands with a head portion temporarily attached to each stand; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side and top view of a storage trough for two head portions; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of a handle with an optional hydration cartridge; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a side and top view of circular display trough that allows the head portion to be used as a table decoration or as a decoration for any flat surface; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 7 &amp; 8  show attachment devices that allow for attachment of accessories to the present bouquet holder; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 9 &amp; 10  show a stand accessory that can be attached to the preferred embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 11 &amp; 12  show other accessories that can be added to the preferred embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  shows a decorative skirt for the head portion; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  shows a mesh skirt that provides for additional decorating of the head portion; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  shows a tray-skirt that provides for additional decorating of the head portion; 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  shows a supplemental piece of wettable foam that fits around the head portion; 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  shows a Prior Art “natural look” bouquet holder; 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  shows a secondary handle that can be attached to the preferred embodiment to provide a “natural look” bouquet holder; 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  shows another secondary handle that can be attached to the preferred embodiment to provide a “natural look” bouquet holder; and, 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  shows a handle/coupler that allows a bouquet head to be attached to other support structures. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of the preferred embodiment  100 , which includes a multi-functional head portion  115  and a multi-functional handle  130 . The head portion  115  includes an amount of wettable foam  105  and indentation  110  for holding the main floral head unit. The lower section of the head portion  115  includes a hydration tube  120  and threads  125 . The hydration tube  120  accepts a hydration needle (shown in  FIG. 5 ) which leads from a secondary hydration source (also shown in  FIG. 5 ) that is stored in the handle  130 . The threads  125  are used to connect, and disconnect, the head portion  115  to the handle  130 . Complimentary threads are also provided in the upper section of the handle  130 . This design allows the handle  130  to be screwed onto, and off of, the bottom of the head portion  115 . Of course, other attachment mechanism such as a locking snap-on mechanism, a locking clip type mechanism, and an insertion locking mechanism, can also be employed. When the head portion  115  is not attached to the handle  130 , the head portion can be attached to a stand that assists in creating the bouquet, or placed in a storage or display unit, each of which is designed to keep the flowers hydrated. When the handle  130  is not attached to the head portion  115 , the handle can be going through the decoration process, either by professional and amateur artisans. Since the artisans do not have to worry about damaging any flowers, the handles can be elaborately decorated. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  shows the present 2-piece bouquet holder with a decorated handle  200 . Handles can be elaborately decorated with many different materials  205 , and since the handle can be decorated away from the floral portion of the bouquet, there is no threat of damaging any of the decorative materials  205  during construction of the floral portion. In  FIG. 2  the materials  205  used to decorate the handle also cover the lower part of the head portion  115 . Such a decorative handle does not interfere with the re-hydrating ability of the handle, and provides a keepsake to the holder that will last long after the flowers have gone. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  shows a stand  300  that can assist in decorating the head portion  115  of the bouquet. The stand  300  includes a base  320  that provides stability and two adjustable arms  315 . The upper portion  305  of the arms is similar to the upper portion of the present handle, meaning that it includes a connecting system that is complementary to that on the head portion  115 . Thus, a head portion can be temporarily attached to the upper portion  305  each arm  315 . To assist the florist, the arms  315  can be adjusted in height and angle. Each arm of the stand  300  includes a bendable section  310  that allows the florist to angle the head portion  115  of the bouquet to any angle desired. In the past, while creating a floral bouquet, artists would set the bouquet holder into a cylindrical upright tube and the bouquet holder would simply sit on top of the cylindrical tube. The height of the tube could not be adjusted and neither could the angle at which the bouquet holder sits be adjusted. Thus, it was difficult for the artist to view the bouquet that he/she was creating, from different heights and angles. The artist attempting to view the bouquet at a specific angle and height must either move his/her position, grab and move the actual stand, or take the entire bouquet out of the stand. Bending and stretching is physically strenuous, moving the actual bouquet stand, and taking the bouquet out of its stand has risks of damaging the arranged flowers. If the artist can freely move the bouquet and thus view the bouquet being created from different heights and angles whenever he/she chooses, the artist may be able to create a more appealing and well-balanced bouquet. Further, if the heights and angles of the bouquet being made can be adjusted, it would make the process of inserting the flower stems into the cage much easier because the bouquet can be moved to face the point of insertion into the line of sight. Presently because many of the flowers are not being inserted from the line of sight, stems get broken while inserting them into the foam medium. Further, all flower stems are not being inserted towards the center of the foam medium. Being able to insert all flowers towards the center of the foam medium makes the completed bouquet more sturdy and rigid, more easily evenly hydrate-able, and more visually well balanced. It is therefore an object of this invention that with the new 2-piece bouquet holder be provided with a flexible stand  300  whereby the head portion  115  of the 2-piece bouquet holder can be attached to the stand. The stand providing ease of adjusting the bouquet position while arranging. In the preferred embodiment, the stand includes a flexible portion much like the flexible neck of a bendable “snake” handle that is used in bendable flashlights and shower head necks. The supporting arms of the preferred stand are also telescoping, making their height adjustable. In an alternative embodiment, the entire arm, not only a portion of it is be made of the flexible neck material. This “flexible stand” would also allow the artist to adjust the bouquet to any height and angle. 
         [0038]    Regarding storage of completed bouquets, traditionally after a floral bouquet is completed, to preserve its freshness, the entire bouquet is refrigerated. Inside of the refrigerator, the completed bouquet is either stored inside of a box, or placed onto a cylindrical bouquet holder for storage. In both scenarios, storage of the bouquets takes up a lot of refrigerator space and more importantly, dehydration begins instantly. In traditional storage methods, there is no water source to replace the water that is lost via evaporation through the petals of the flowers in the bouquet.  FIG. 4  shows a hydrating storage device  400  that can be used with the head portions  115  of the present bouquet holder. The head portions  115  of the present bouquet holder includes a hydrating tube  120  to physically get water  405  to the wettable foam  105  inside the head portion. It is another object of the present invention to provide the 2-piece bouquet holder with a hydrating storage unit for storing arranged &amp; completed bouquet head portion(s) in a refrigerator. The hydrating storage unit automatically hydrates the wettable foam  105  of the head portion  115  with hydration supplied in the storage unit via the hydrating tube  120 . The hydrating storage unit  400  conserves on refrigerator space and keeps the flowers fully hydrated until the time of use. The storage unit  400  also negates the need for hydration by syringe, therefore the risk of damaging the flowers is eliminated. Further, the risk of damaging decorated handles is eliminated because a decorated handle will be added after the head portion is removed from the storage unit, just prior to use. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows the interior of the preferred handle  130 . Traditionally, after the bouquet is in the hands of the bride, re-hydration of the flowers is usually not an option and re-hydration of the flowers is not even given consideration. After a few hours the arranged floral bouquet that was vibrant with freshness begins to wilt and deteriorate due to lack of hydration. It is another object of the present invention to provide the 2-piece bouquet holder  100  with a hydrating handle  130  that houses a replaceable re-hydration cartridge  500 . The re-hydration cartridge  500  is inserted into, and removed from, the handle  130  via an opening in the bottom of the handle. The tip  505  of the re-hydration cartridge  500  contains a break-off portion  510  (much like that is used in single-use eye drop medications) which, when broken off creates an opening at the tip of hydration cartridge. In the preferred embodiment, the break-off portion  510  is broken off prior to insertion into the handle  130  however, other embodiments allow for breaking of the portion  510  after insertion, upon a swift hit of the hand on the bottom of the handle  130 , for example. The tip  505  of the re-hydration cartridge  500  provides a directed flow path for the hydrating solution. After the head portion  115  and the handle  130  are attached, the re-hydration cartridge  500  is inserted into the bottom of the handle. The re-hydration cartridge  500  locks in place inside the handle  130  via snap lock  520 , or any other well-known method. Upon insertion, the tip  505  of the re-hydration cartridge  500  pierces a seal  525  at the bottom of the head portion  115  and extends through the hydrating tube  120  of the head portion. The tip  505  of the re-hydration cartridge  500  is a small tube that provides a conduit for water to travel from the interior of the cartridge  500  to the wettable foam  105 . When the re-hydration cartridge  500  is fully inserted, the tip  505  extends into the wettable foam  105 . When the entire embodiment  100  is turned upside-down or angled downward, and the suction release seal  515  is removed, the hydrating solution discharges into the wettable foam  105 . The entire bouquet should be turned upside-down for a several seconds for optimal effect and to allow the wettable foam  105  to absorb the hydrating solution. The suction release seal  515  is preferable replaceable so as to prevent any un-absorbed solution from leaking back out of the bottom of the cartridge  500 . Thus, two or three hours into a ceremony, when the wettable foam is no longer wet, the present bouquet holder allows the flowers to be re-hydrated thereby extending the life of the floral bouquet. 
         [0040]    The present handle can be provided in both straight and angled styles. Traditionally, the first step in the creation of a bouquet is to choose the bouquet holder. The size of the bouquet holder (small, medium, large) needs to be decided, then the style of bouquet holder (straight or angle) needs to be chosen. Once a bouquet holder is chosen and a bouquet is started using a traditional 1-piece holder, the style (angle/straight) cannot be changed. It is another object of the present invention to provide a 2-piece bouquet holder, wherein handle style (straight or angled) can be changed according to preference, after the bouquet has been completed. A handle with either style (straight or angle) can be attached to the head portion after the artist/creator has had the opportunity to try both styles and choose a preference. 
         [0041]    After a traditional bouquet has been used at a wedding, or other, ceremony, the bouquet must either be kept as is, or discarded. It is another object of the present invention to offer alternative uses for the floral bouquets after a ceremony has ended by providing display units for the head portion(s) of the bouquet(s). The present display units, in combination with one or more head portions, provide an alternative display method for floral arrangements.  FIG. 6  shows an exemplary display unit  600 , which includes a water reservoir  405  and an opening that accommodates the head portion  115  of the preferred 2-piece bouquet holder. The display unit  600  provides water to the wettable foam inside the head portion  115  via the hydrating tube  120  within the head portion. A second opening  605  is provide on the top of the display unit  600  that allows the unit to be refilled with water. Other display units can be made to any size or shape, and can be decorated in any fashion. The present display units allow the present head portions to live a second life, for a few additional days, as a floral display on a table or window sill in the home or office, or even in a yacht or RV. 
         [0042]    The present 2-piece bouquet holder provides many benefits to the holder/user and to the florist. When a traditional 1-piece bouquet is stored inside of a refrigerator the decorated handle absorbs moisture that is present in the air inside the reefer and becomes dampened, discolored, and ruined. The present 2-piece bouquet holder allows the completed bouquet to be stored separately from the handle. Thereby eliminating the problem of the decorated handle becoming dampened during storage. The present 2-piece bouquet holder will also allow the manufacturer to sell pre-decorated bouquet handles, as an additional product, and possibly as keepsakes. This increase in product offerings will also benefit floral shops as assorted pre-decorated handles will attract new customers. The new 2-piece bouquet holder also allows the floral artist to complete the floral bouquet within a shorter period of time, because the time needed to decorate the handle is saved. The present 2-piece bouquet holder further allows the artist to make a higher quality finished bouquet because the arrangement will not be subjected to any risk of damage while the handle is decorated. After completion of the bouquet, with the 2piece bouquet holder, the artist will be able to choose the most appealing handle for the particular bouquet that was just created. Traditionally, once the ceremonies are over, the entire bouquet is eventually discarded. After the flowers are wilted, the bouquet holder has no value as the traditional handle was just a piece of plastic that was mass-produced. With the present 2-piece bouquet holder, user added value is created because the decorated handle can be removed and be kept as a keepsake or even used again at a child&#39;s wedding, for example. A new area of business can be developed in the field of accessories, “the design, production, and sale of decorated bouquet handles”. Floral designers, jewelry designers, accessory designers, and hobbyists can participate and enjoy a new area whereby additional revenues can be generated. This new opportunity offers unlimited possibilities because bouquet holder handles of famous brand name designers can be conceived. Differing countries throughout the world have unique cultures, artifacts and materials. Each country could make use of their own culture, unique materials and unique technologies to create their own style for decorating their bouquet holders. 
         [0043]    Another problem with traditional bouquet holders is that they only function as a device to house floral foam and provide a simple handle to grasp and hold the bouquet. It is an object of this invention to add additional functionality to bouquet holders by devising a method to add functional accessories. The ability to add-on these functional accessories to the present bouquet holder will offer new methods to floral designers and floral artists to create more decorative pieces because these new add-on accessories will give them the needed hardware to be more creative and imaginative. The add-on accessories will also make the bouquet holder more versatile and functional for the bride. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows an attachment device  700  that can be used to connect accessories to the present bouquet holder. The attachment device  700  includes a washer-like plate  705  and a hinge-like connector  710 , to which various accessories may be attached. The washer-like plate  705  is placed between the head portion  115  and the handle  130  and is secured in place when the head portion and the handle are connected together. The plate  705  has a hole in its center so that it fits between the head portion and the handle and does not interfere with the any of the hydrating functions of the present bouquet holder. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  shows another attachment device  800  that can be used to connect accessories to the present bouquet holder. This attachment device  800  includes a small cone  805  and a hinge-like connector  810 , to which various accessories may be attached. The small cone  805  is designed to be slid up the length of the handle  130  until it locks into place near the top of the handle either by friction, a compression ring, snap-lock, or other well-known locking mechanism. 
         [0046]    The above two attachment devices can be used to attach various accessories to the present bouquet holder, including a portable bouquet holder stand. In the past, when a bride wants to set her bouquet down on a table or chair, she must lay the entire bouquet down on its side. However, when the bouquet is laid down, the flowers on the bottom side are forced against the table and get crushed because they must support the weight of the entire bouquet. It is an object of this invention to provide a portable “Bouquet Holder Stand” accessory that is incorporated into the 2-piece bouquet holder. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 9(A-F)  show a foldable stand  900  that can be attached to the preferred embodiment  100  with the aid of a washer-type attachment device  905 . The stand  900  includes two foldable legs  910  that are attached to the washer-type device  905  by two hinges  915 . The stand  900  supports the floral bouquet, when the bouquet must be put down, and keeps all of the flowers in the bouquet from touching the table. This stand  900 , when not deployed, folds flush onto the handle and out of the way. When deployed, the legs  910  of the stand  900  fold outward and lock into the outward position to support the bouquet on its side. The stand can attach to the bouquet holder  100  using either of the two attachment devices mentioned above. 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  shows another stand  1000  that can be added to the present bouquet holder  100  using a cone-type attachment device  1005 . This stand  1000  includes the cone-type attachment device  1005  and two foldable legs  1010  that are attached to the cone-type device  1005  by two hinges  1015 . The hinges  1015  allow the legs  1010  to fold flush against the handle  130  portion of the bouquet. The hinges  1015  also allow the legs  1010  to swing out from the handle and lock into place, so that the legs  1010  can support the bouquet in a semi-upright position when placed on a flat surface. 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  shows a wrist strap  1100  accessory that can be added to the preferred embodiment  100 . The wrist strap  1100  includes an washer type attachment device  1105  and a loop  1110  of cord or other material that is connected to the washer type device  1105  by a connector hinge  1115 . The loop  1110  is large enough for a person&#39;s hand to fit through and the hinge allows the loop  1110  to rotate relative to the rest of the bouquet. 
         [0050]      FIG. 12  shows a pouch  1200  accessory that has been added to the present bouquet holder  100  using a cone type attachment device  1205 . The pouch  1200  includes the cone type device  1205  and a small, close-able bag  1210  that is connected to the device  1205  by a hinge  1215 . The cone attachment device  1205  is slid up the length of the handle and locks in place by friction, in the preferred embodiment. The close-able bag  1210  allows the bride to carry small items, such as a compact and lipstick, with her. 
         [0051]      FIG. 13  shows a decorative skirt  1300  that can be added to the preferred embodiment  100 , to further decorate the head portion  115  of the bouquet holder. the decorative skirt  1300  includes a washer type attachment device  1305 , a decorative outer covering  1310 , and an empty interior  1315  that allows for placement of the head portion  115 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 14  shows a mesh skirt  1400  that allows for additional decorating of the head portion  115 . The mesh skirt  1400  includes a washer type attachment device  1405 , a mesh outer covering  1410 , and an empty interior  1415  that allows for placement of the head portion  115 . The floral artist can add many different materials to the mesh outer covering  1410  to enhance the look of the bouquet. 
         [0053]      FIG. 15  shows a circular tray  1500  that can be attached to the preferred embodiment  100 . The tray  1500  provides for additional decorating of the head portion  115  and includes a washer type attachment device  1510 , a flat-bottom bowl  1505  that serves as the tray, and an empty interior that allows for placement of the head portion  115  of the bouquet holder  100 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 16  shows a supplemental piece of wettable foam  1600  that can be added to the present 2-piece bouquet holder  100 . The supplemental foam  1600  includes a washer type attachment device, a ring of wettable foam  1605  and an empty interior for accepting the head portion  115  of the bouquet holder. The supplemental piece of wettable foam  1600  fits around the head portion  115  and gives the floral artist a larger “canvas” with which to create a floral work of art. 
         [0055]    Recently, the “natural look” of floral bouquets has come back into fashion. A “natural look” bouquet consists of a group of flowers where the stems of the flowers are not cut but kept long and the flowers are just bunched and tied together with a ribbon, a wrap, or other decorative material. Natural look bouquets however have a disadvantage because the cut ends of the floral stems are exposed and not immersed in a hydration medium. The flowers making up a “natural look” bouquet are subject to quicker dehydration due to lack of a continuous source of hydration. Therefore the “natural look” bouquet has a shorter life span than other bouquets. To overcome this quick deterioration, a cylinder shaped floral foam holder has been devised and marketed.  FIG. 17  shows an example of such a prior art cylindrical foam holder  1700 . The flowers  1710  are cut at an intermediate length and the flowers are inserted into the hydrated floral foam  1705  at the top of the cylinder. The stems that were cut off of the flowers to make the flowers intermediate in length, are then re-bunched and inserted into the bottom end of the cylinder. The floral foam containing cylinder  1700  is then covered with ribbon or wrapped with some other decorative material. The resulting bouquet looks like a “natural look”, un-cut stem bouquet. 
         [0056]    The above prior art method of depicting a natural-look bouquet using a cylindrical foam holder however has many disadvantages. It is a difficult, tedious, and cumbersome task to cover and decorate the cylinder portion because the decorating and covering must be done after the flowers have been inserted into the foam and after the cut stems pieces have been inserted into the bottom end of the cylinder. This task usually requires two people to complete. One person to hold the entire bouquet while the other person tapes, wraps, and decorates the cylinder. Further, there is no method to re-hydrate the flowers after the moisture from the floral foam inside the cylinder has been depleted. It is yet another object of this invention to provide a bouquet holder where the handle portion depicts a “natural-look” bouquet. 
         [0057]      FIG. 18  shows a secondary handle  1800  that can be slid onto the handle  130  of the present bouquet holder to provide a “natural look” bouquet. The secondary handle  1800  includes a decorative outer covering  1805 , a central passageway  1810  that accepts the handle  130 , and a circular recess  1815  around the bottom of the secondary handle that accepts cut stems  1820 . The top of the secondary handle  1800  includes a notch  1825  that is design to catch on the top of the primary handle  130  when fully inserted. The circular recess  1815  allows a ring of stems  1820  to protrude from the bottom of the bouquet, thereby giving a “natural look” to the present bouquet holder. The circular recess  1815  preferably is tapered so that the stems  1820  are slightly compacted as they are inserted and can be held in the recess  1815  by friction. The secondary handle  1800  is removable at any time for various reasons such as to change the appearance from ‘natural’ to ‘holder-type’ or for the purpose of changing out the re-hydration cartridge. 
         [0058]      FIG. 19  shows another secondary handle  1900  that can be slid onto the handle  130  of the present holder to provide a “natural look” bouquet. This secondary handle  1900  includes a decorative outer material  1905 , a central passageway  1910  that accepts the primary handle  130 , and a large recess  1915  in the bottom that accepts cut stems  1920 . The large recess  1915  allows the cut stems  1920  to be bunched together before being inserted into the bottom of the secondary handle  1900 . Since the stems  1920  protruding from the bottom of the bouquet holder are bunched together, a “natural look” bouquet is achieved. Secondary handle  1900  also includes a notch  1925  at the top that catches on the top of the primary handle  130  when fully inserted. The large recess  1915  preferably is tapered so that the stems  1920  are slightly compacted as they are inserted and can be held in the recess  1915  by friction. 
         [0059]      FIG. 20  shows a versatile coupler  2000  that allows a head portion  115  to be attached to various support structures and may also provide another “natural look” bouquet. The coupler  200  includes a decorative outer cover  2005 , a first female attachment unit  2010  at the top, and a second female attachment unit  2015  at the bottom. The first female attachment unit  2010  is designed to accept the male attachment unit on the bottom of the head portion  115 . The second female attachment unit  2015  on the bottom of the couple  2000  can be used to attach the coupler to a male connector on a post, a railing, a pew, or a stand, for example. A bunch of cut stems may also be inserted into the second female attachment unit  2015  to provide another “natural look” bouquet. The coupler  2000  is designed to have a larger diameter than the preferred handle  130  so as to enhance the illusion of un-cut stems in the bouquet. The coupler  2000  could also house a re-hydration unit that supplements hydration of the flowers in the head portion  115 . The present coupler  2000  adds to the versatility of the decorative head portion  115  by facilitating display of the bouquet before and after wedding ceremonies. 
         [0060]    The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology of terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.