Patent Publication Number: US-2019183266-A1

Title: Flower arrangement system and method of use

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to flower arrangement systems, and more specifically, to a flower arrangement system with an adapter for improved flower separation and arranging within a vase. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Flower arrangement systems are well known in the art and are effective means to keep and display flowers, both artificial and real. For example,  FIG. 1  depicts a conventional flower arrangement system  101  having a vase  103  with a top opening  105  and a plurality of flowers placed therein  107 . During use, the user must arrange the stems of the flowers to try to achieve a desired placement and look. 
     One of the problems commonly associated with system  101  is difficulty achieving a desired look. For example, the flowers and stems can become tangled and bunched, thereby making the flowers look too tightly clustered. In addition, the user may spend excessive amounts of time trying to perfect the placement and therefore the look of the arrangement. 
     Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of flower arrangement systems, many shortcomings remain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a common flower arrangement system; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are front views of a flower arrangement system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the adapter of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the adapter of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the adapter of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top simplified view of one embodiment of an adapter in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  are side views demonstrating the angle of tubular extensions of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a second embodiment of an adapter in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a third embodiment of an adapter in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of the method of use of the system of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
     
    
    
     While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional flower arrangement systems. Specifically, the present invention provides a convenient means for aiding a user in arranging flowers while keeping the flowers and stems from becoming entangled and bunched. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict front views of a flower arrangement system  201  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system  201  overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional flower arrangement systems. 
     In the contemplated embodiment, system  201  includes a vase  203  with a top  205  having an opening  207  into the vase. System  201  further includes an adapter  209  configured to be inserted partially into the vase, wherein the adapter is secured to the top  205 . In the preferred embodiment, the adapter merely rests on the top surface of top  205 , however, alternative embodiments contemplate using adhesives, fasteners, or rubber rims to create a seal, or any other means of securing adapter  209  at the top of vase  203 . 
     Adapter  209  is configured to receive stems  211  of a plurality of flowers  213 . It should be understood that although this application shows and refers to flowers, system  201  could be used with any floral arrangement items, such as greenery, ceramic or plastic accessories, or any other item having a stem. Adapter  209  provides a means to receive the plurality of stems, thereby allowing for easy and improved arrangement of the flowers  213 . 
     In  FIGS. 3-5 , bottom, top, and side views of one contemplated embodiment of adapter  209  are shown. Adapter  209  includes a body  301  with a rim  302  for resting on the top surface of the top of the vase. Adapter  209  further includes a plurality of tubular extensions  303  extending from a top surface  401  of body  301  and configured to extend into the vase. As clearly shown in  FIG. 3 , the tubular extensions are configured to extend at an angle relative to bottom surface  305  toward a central point of body  301 . The tubular extensions include an opening  307  through which flower stems are received and therefore angled toward a central region of the vase. 
     It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the angling of the tubular extensions toward the center region of the adapter and the vase. It should be understood that this feature allows for the user to easily insert the stems of a plurality of flowers, wherein the adapter aids in separating the flowers for an improved aesthetical appearance. 
     As better shown in  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, adapter  209  includes a first row of openings  403  positioned near the periphery of body  302 , and a second row of openings  405  positioned nearer to a central opening  407 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , a side view better demonstrates rim  302  and a side  501  which is positioned within the interior of the vase when adapter  209  is secured to the vase. 
     In  FIGS. 6-8 , top views show various contemplated arrangements of tubular extensions. In  FIG. 6 , three classes of tubular extensions are incorporated into a circular adapter  600 , a first class  601  is positioned near the center, and are angled at about 20 degrees relative to a y-axis perpendicular to a top surface  603  of adapter  600 . A second class  605  are arranged in small clusters around the periphery and extend at an angle of about 40 degrees relative to the y-axis. A third class  607  are arranged in clusters also around the periphery, and extend at about 50 degrees relative to the y-axis. 
     To aid in clarification, the angles are shown in  FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C , relative to an x axis and y-axis.  FIG. 6A  demonstrates the about 20 degree angle (A),  6 B demonstrates the about 40 degree angle (B), and  6 C demonstrates the about 50 degree angle (C). 
     In  FIG. 7 , an alternative arrangement demonstrates a rectangular adapter  701  having a plurality of first sized openings  703  and a plurality of second sized openings  705 . Similarly,  FIG. 8  demonstrates a rectangular adapter  801  having a plurality of first sized openings  803  and second sized openings  805 . It should be appreciated that the variously sized openings allow for further customization of the flower arrangement. 
     In  FIG. 9 , a flowchart  901  depicts a method of use of system  201 . During use, the adapter is positioned within the opening of the vase, as shown with box  903 . The user can then proceed to insert stems into the various tubular extensions, as desired, as shown with box  905 . The flowers (or other floral elements) can then be displayed, wherein the flowers are separated via the adapter, as shown with box  907 . 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.