Abstract:
A floral display comprising a frame for securing water retaining florist foam in a decorative shape that may be hung for display. The floral display frame provides for simple securing of the foam and allows access to the foam for complete floral coverage.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally apparatus and methods for displaying flowers and other decorative plants. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Bouquets and other floral displays have moved well past the “gathered bunch of flowers” tied with a pretty ribbon. Technological advancement has allowed floral displays to expand into great structures and small. One such advancement is water retaining floral foam that may be cut into various shapes to fit into vessels and support flowers from commercial flower displays to personal sized displays. 
     Within the floral display industry, and in particular within the personal sized display market, current means for supporting as floral display are either unduly complex or require extensive training to create inspiring shapes and designs. These limitations exist because there has been a lack of simple design forms that allow for a base of creative expression. 
     All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The problems presented in the field of floral display are addressed by the systems and methods of the present invention. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a floral display is described. The floral display comprises a frame for securing water retaining florist foam in a decorative shape that may be hung for display. The floral display frame provides for simple securing of the foam and allows access to the foam for complete floral coverage. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings and detailed description that follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view of as typical floral display prior to adding floral foam and floral material; 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of the floral display from  FIG. 1  with floral foam secured and floral material added to the face; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a floral display with netting added; 
         FIG. 4  is an overall view of a completed floral display from  FIG. 1 ,  2 , or  3  on a stand; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of a floral display prior to adding floral foam and floral material; 
         FIG. 6  is a view of a floral display prior to adding floral foam and floral material; 
         FIG. 7  is an overall view of the floral display from  FIG. 6  completed to resemble a swan; 
         FIG. 8  is an overall view of a the floral display from  FIG. 6  completed to resemble as fish; 
         FIG. 9  is a view of a floral display using two frames; and 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a floral display using two frames and having added floral foam. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is a view of a typical floral display  10  prior to adding floral foam  20  and floral material  40 . This view best shows the frame  12  and its features. The frame  12  has an interior edge  14  and exterior edge  16 . Interior edge  14  defines the decorative shape that the display  10  will take once floral material  40  is added. Exterior edge  16  is generally parallel to interior edge  14 . Anchors  18  extend from exterior edge  16 . 
     Floral foam  20  (not shown) is cut to the shape of interior edge  14 . Floral foam  20  is typically of a water retaining nature and allows for floral material  40  to be placed and retain appropriate hydration. Anchors  18  allow for the placement of retaining bands  22  to secure floral foam  20  within frame  12 . Anchors  18  have a base  24  that extends from exterior edge  16  and protrusions  26  that extend in opposing directions from base  24 . 
     Frame  12  has a face  36  and a back  38 , although until the floral material  40  is added there is no difference between the face  36  and the back  38 . Even with the addition of floral material  40  the designer may choose to make the face  36  and back  38  identical. Supports  28  extend from the face  36  and back  38  beyond expected depth of the floral foam  20 . A support string  30  is attached to the supports to allow the display to be hung for display. The support string  30  may be a string, wire, filament, yarn, ribbon, or any similar element depending on the decorative aims of the display. Each support  28  may have string holes  32  to make attachment of the support string easier. The number and location of the supports  28  will depend on the decorative shape of the frame  12 . 
     The frame  12  may be molded of a single piece or may be cut from sheet material, as shown. When frame  12  is cut from sheet material slots  34  may be added at the locations where supports  28  are needed. Slots  34  would be between the interior edge  14  and the exterior edge  16  and extend from the face  36  to the back  38 . Supports  28  may then be inserted through slots  34  to protrude evenly from the face  36  and the back  38 . 
     The frame  12  is preferably formed of a clear material so that it is less likely to be visible if the floral material  40  fails to completely cover frame  12 . Green tones may also be used for the material of frame  12 , as well as any other color that is not likely to stand out from the floral material. 
       FIG. 2  is a back view of the floral display  10  from  FIG. 1  with floral foam  20  secured and floral material  40  added to the face  36 . As is clear from this view of the back  38  of frame  12 , floral foam  20  is cut to fit within interior edge  14  and then shaped as needed to conform to the desired design. Retaining bands  22  are attached to anchors  18  to secure the floral foam  20  within the frame  12 . Support string  30 , in this case a ribbon, is securely attached to one support  28  and passes through a string hole  32  in a second support  28 . Floral material  40  can be seen extending from the opposite side of the frame  12 . Generally, floral material  40  will be added to both sides of the display and the floral material  40  will cover frame  12 , floral foam  20 , and retaining bands  22 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of a floral display  10  similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  but with protective netting  44  added. Netting  44  may be added of floral foam  20  to provide additional structural support as floral material  40  is added to display  10 . Netting  44  will not always be required and is an optional element to be used as needed. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the floral display  10  of  FIG. 1 ,  2 , or  3 . Floral display  10  is hanging from a stand  42  by support string  30 . Floral foam  20 , retaining bands  22 , netting  44  (if used), and frame  12 , are completely covered by floral material  40  placed in the floral foam. The floral material  40  and a portion of support string  30  are all that should be visible. 
       FIG. 5  is a view of a floral display  50  prior to adding floral foam  20  and floral material  40 . Frame  12  is shaped to allow the floral designer to mimic the shape of a butterfly or moth. 
       FIG. 6  is a view of a floral display  60  prior to adding floral foam  20  and floral material  40 . Frame  12  is shaped to allow the floral designer to mimic many different shapes, from a swan to a fish, as shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 7  is an overall view of the floral display  60  from  FIG. 6  completed to resemble a swan and  FIG. 8  is an overall view of a the floral display  60  from  FIG. 6  completed to resemble a fish. Additional decorative elements may be added along with the floral material  40  to create the desired shapes. 
       FIG. 9  is a view of a floral display using two frames  12  positioned near the edges of the foam  20 . This positioning reduces the likelihood that the edges of the foam  20  will be damage or rounded during handling and addition of floral material  40 . 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of a floral display  10  using two frames  12  and having added floral foam  20 . The frames  12  are positioned near the edges of floral foam  20  and then additional floral foam  20  is added outside the frames  12  to give the display  10  a more rounded shape or more thickness. 
     It should be apparent from the foregoing that an invention having significant advantages has been provided. While the invention is shown in only a few of its forms, it is not just limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, frame  12  may define multiple pieces of floral foam  20  and supports  28  may be moved wherever needed to support the frame  12 .