Patent Publication Number: US-11653776-B2

Title: Vase with retainer mounted on securing ring

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     The present application includes subject matter disclosed in and claims priority to a provisional application entitled “Vase with Securing Ring” filed Mar. 6, 2020 and assigned Ser. No. 62/986,407, describing an invention made by the present inventor, herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to container displays. The present invention more particularly related to a storage mechanism within a receptacle for display. 
     2. Description of Related Prior Art 
     Florists commonly begin an arrangement by placing a criss-cross pattern across the upper opening of a vessel, over the lip onto the outside of the chosen vessel. The grid is then secured to the vase by tightly wrapping another piece of floral adhesive tape around the outside circumference of the lip of the vessel to bind the tape endings to the outside rim of the container, thus holding the grid work in place. 
     Such a grid is an important means of keeping the stem insertions in place while the arrangement is being developed. The grid also assists in keeping the stems in place during the jostling of the finished product during the delivery process and the installation of the floral piece to its final destination. 
     Industry professionals have designed alternatives to this grid, such as a series of rubberized bands, woven flexible metallic pipe cleaners, rigid plastic enclosures, and pre-apertured page of adhesive with tabs around the perimeter. 
     Current plastic cap type grid is also too rigid and does not afford the designer the ability to make insertions at different angles which is often necessary to achieve the proper shape and/or camouflage the mechanics (i.e., the grid itself). 
     The present invention provides an improvement on display vases for holding and supporting flowers, flower arrangements, or other displays (candy, sticks, etc.) as are known in the art. 
     There is therefore a need for an easily replaceable retaining grid that can be inserted and locked into a vase. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable retainer into a receptacle. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for arranging a display within a container. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a display assembly device to facilitate arrangement of one or more longitudinal stems. A container, such as a vase, has an open mouth and interior surface. A securing ring or shelf may be set within the container and positioned along the interior surface. The securing or retaining ring may be formed integrally with the vase interior surface, preferably at a neck or higher at a flange opening, and/may be set along a horizontal plane. 
     A retainer may be set on the securing ring. Preferably, the retainer includes one or a multitude of apertures arrayed for receiving one or more stems therethrough for display above the retainer or outside vase. A frog or pin base may be set on the container bottom at a lower end of the container, preferably interior of the container to allow for fixing of the stems through the retainer withing the vase. The retainer may include a flat or curved array of hexagonal cells. The retainer may include two or more overlapping or stacking arrays, in which all the cells may be any shape, but preferably in hexagonal shape. The arrays may be offset by the width of one half of the cell along a horizontal plane separating the two arrays. The arrays may share a paired perimeter, the perimeter may include feet to interact with the vase interior surface and indentations sized to pair with lugs that may emanate as bosses from a retaining ring or shelf. The perimeter may be in a peg-foot, peg-foot pattern with gaps set therebetween. The arrays may form a disc, and/or may form a rounded shape with tall center (or middle) and narrow along perimeter. The arrays may have a flat interface, with the bulging center formed in each array opposite one another. 
     A container may be formed for securing display items therein and/or thereover that includes a removable retainer (with at least one aperture) set within the container. The aperture is intended and sized and arranged to secure the lateral movement of an item, such as a longitudinal stem, emplaced therethrough. The retainer may be set upon securing ring within said container, the securing ring either formed integrally with the vase wall, or sitting on shelf, or resting on a narrowing in a neck of the vase. The removable retainer may include a top array of hexagonal cells, and a lower array of hexagonal cells. The retainer can form either hollows or bosses to mate with a securing ring, shelf, etc. into vase. The retainer may have a symmetrical shape with a tall middle and a narrow exterior along a circumference of said retainer. Preferably, the vase and/or securing ring, and/or retainer, and/or frog is transparent and/or translucent. 
     Also, a method of presenting a display by emplacing one or more longitudinal items into a vase, through an aperture in a retainer. The container is prepared with a securing ring within or near the neck of the container. A retainer is emplaced onto the securing ring, and potentially mated therewith. The retainer is fastened on the securing ring, preferably by interchangeable boss/recess complementary mating. One or more stems or longitudinal bodies can then be set over and through the aperture in the retainer. At the bottom of the container, one or more frogs, e.g., set of pins may stabilize the stems. Once in use, the stems can be removed from the retainer from the securing ring. The stems may be set in the retainer before the retainer is placed in the container. The stems may also be removed with the retainer from the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a top perspective view of a vase of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a side cross-section al view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a top perspective view of a retaining shelf of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a top perspective view of a retainer of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of a frog of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a top perspective view of a frog of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a top perspective view of a retainer and ring mated of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a perspective view of a retainer and ring mated of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8 A  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a vase of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8 B  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a vase of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8 C  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a vase of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8 D  illustrates a top plan view of a vase of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a top perspective view of a retainer of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a top plan view of a shelf of a vase of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a transparent perspective view of the shelf of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a top perspective view of a vase with frog of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a transparent top perspective view of a frog of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  14    illustrates an exploded perspective view of a vase of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a transparent top perspective view of retaining ring and a frog of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The pattern of wire may mimic chicken wire with hexagonal shapes, but the thickness may or may not be uniform. Spaces may be left uncut for rigidity. While the embodiments presented herein are illustrative of the invention, future versions embodying the present invention are contemplated. In one embodiment, there will be a molded ring inside of the vase, wherein the ring is molded, or otherwise integral with a vase wall, preferably at a cinched neck. Securing ring may include “teeth” that lock into complementary fastening structures on a removable retainer. Teeth may have a mushroom shape to allow the retaining apertures to be slid over a large portion of the aperture (in wire/mesh) and turned to lock in place, as is known in the art. 
     The present invention includes structures as demonstrated, but should not be considered limited to such embodiments. For instance, the invention includes a standard or custom vase with a bulbous bottom, narrow neck and emerging flanged top. However, the invention does not necessarily require a sealed bottom, which is ideal when water, fluids, or small objects are included, however, in embodiments without these requirements, the bulb, or compote, does not need to be complete. Similarly, the narrowing neck is preferred to hold long items, but the vase may be a simple cylinder. As such the flanged neck includes advantages of encouraging while limiting the spread display. 
     At the bottom of the vase, pins, or a pin pad may be used as are known in the art, such as those to form a frog. Other alternatives, such as a sponge, or foam, may be used. Towards the neck, or preferably on the narrowest point, or preferably slightly above this neck, a securing ring is secured to an interior surface of the neck. Preferably, this ring circumscribes the interior surface. Preferably, the ring is flat, but may be slanted, depending on requirements. The ring or retainer base, secures a net or retaining wire, or mesh (serving as a cap) on the top of the retainer for support. Preferably, base and top are of a single unitary body, however, the base may be molded into the side of the neck, while the tops may be emplaced thereupon. Alternatively, the top may be fused or coupled with the wire/mesh and include complementary mating features, such as apertures to mate with extending bosses in the base. Similarly, the mesh may include a complementary mating system whereby the base includes vertically emanating bosses to mate with apertures in the mesh. Other snap on, or affixing means as are known in the art may be useful for this function. Additionally, the wire may be formed with the vase. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , vase may be one of a standard set of containers with an open top allowing display over the top of the vase. Display items preferably include stems, or sticks that allow them to rest within vase with a display top, such as stemmed flowers, pops, sticks, or otherwise as are known in the art. Preferably, the bottom is closed to allow containment of a liquid or small articles. Vase  1  includes a large open volume within bulb  6 . Flange  4  is separated from bulb  6  via neck  38 . Vase  1  includes outer surface  39 . Flange  4  includes lip, or edge,  8  that is preferably upwardly-outwardly extended to allow for larger horizontal display parameters. Towards bottom of space  5 , a frog system, as is known in the art, may be used to capture and control lateral movement of the lower end of stems. Retainer  10  is set in vase  1 , with retainer top  12  facing upwards. Retainer  10  includes apertures  17  though which stems may be placed. Pin base  40  rests along interior surface  36  at bottom  37 . Pin base  40  supports one or more numerous vertically aligned pins  42  which may be molded into pin base as a single structure. As shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , frog pin system  45  may include pins  42  set on pin base  40 . Each of pins  42  in pin base  40  may include tapered tips  43  with flat top ends  44 . As is common, pins  42  may all be set in parallel fashion perpendicularly upright. In alternative embodiments, pins may be set in various, crossing and/or random axes. In an alternative embodiment, pin base may be embedded within bulb bottom  37 , and/or pins may be set separably within pin base. Pins are preferably one to two inches in height along the longitudinal axis of each pin, but may be arranged in length, width, and density based on needs of application or use. 
     As see in  FIGS.  9 - 12   , in one embodiment of the present invention, retainer  10  may be used. Retainer  10  may include retainer top  12  along a top side of retainer and retainer bottom  13  along a bottom side of the retainer. Retainer holds a longitudinal stem that is set within the vase space, preferably set within the frogs, and emerges through the retainer out and over opening. Stems entering from above enter through retainer top  12  and through retainer  10 , down towards interior of vase and frogs. Retainer top may include features such as receiving apertures  17 , or otherwise may include raised nubs or pins to interface with retaining wire  14 . It is contemplated that retainer rim  16  will set along shelf  22  set along interior surface  36  of vase  1  along neck  38 . Retainer base  18  may be molded into shelf as a permanent fixture into vase  1 , or may otherwise be a removable feature. When removable, retainer base may be locked or otherwise affixed into place onto shelf. Where no shelf is used, narrowing of neck  38  may be set to a circumference smaller than retainer base diameter so as to allow retainer base to rest on interior surface at neck. Retainer wire  14  may be set along retainer base  18 , wherein a rim  16  of retaining wire  14  fits over, on top of, and preferably into a recess  19  of retainer base  18  along retainer top  12 . When retainer base  18  is set upon shelf  22 , shelf may include shelf apertures  24  to receive ring bosses  28  or nodes that may set therein. Apertures  24  may be sized and arranged to receive and lock in retainer rim. Ring bosses  28  may include a mushroom head shape  26 , or may be straight pins. 
     Referring now to an alternative embodiment shown in  FIGS.  8 A- 8 D , vase  1  may be of an alternative type. Vase  1  includes bulb  6  with an alternative shape, wherein neck does not form in a narrowing circumference smaller than bulb. Shelf  22  rests at neck  38  immediately below flange  4 . Vase may include a foot  32  such as an expanding circumferential foot as is shown. Pin base  40  may be set below a lower neck  41  and met with one or more pins  42 . Neck may include securing ring  20  along an interior neck surface  64  within vase space  5  at interior surface  36 . Securing ring may be integrally formed into vase, or may be resting upon shelf (not shown). Securing ring  20  may include one or more upward facing lugs  68  sized and arranged to complementarily mate with retainer. Retainer rests upon, and may lock into, securing ring  20 . Retainer  50  may include one or more hexagonal frames, such as a hexagonal wire frame, or otherwise set with a myriad of walls meeting via hexagonal angles. Retainer rim  16  may include one or more apertures for mating with lugs  68 . Retainer  50  may also include horizontal feet  66  to mate with interior surface  36  of vase  1  along neck surface  64 . Receiving apertures  53  may be set along securing ring  20  to receive lugs  68 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG.  2   , securing ring  20  may be a simple cylindrical ring with one or more mating features on an upper surface  21  such as lugs  68 . Securing ring may be molded into the inside of the vase. The retainer, such as a wire replacement module, may snap into securing ring and secured by lugs (also known as teeth). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3    et seq., retainer  50  may include an upper array  56  and a lower array  58 , each of the upper and lower arrays arranged with hexagonal walls. Upper array  56  being offset in both an X and Y dimension via half the size of a single hexagon shape. Top surface  57  faces open area above vase, while bottom surface  59  faces into vase space  5 . Horizontal feet  66  around outside edge  62  are arranged to mate with an interior surface of vase neck and/or rest upon securing ring. Receiving apertures  53  are arranged to mate with securing ring teeth. Further, circumference  60  of retainer  50  may include larger segments  61  allowing to rest upon securing ring. Upper array  56  provides a rounded top shape  57 , and a rounded shape may also be formed by bottom  59  in lower array. It is contemplated that upper and lower arrays  56  and  58  are a single molded feature, however they may both be separable features separably locking into securing ring. Retainer  50  is meant to a clear structure, and serve the function of prior art chicken wire and/or other floral structural elements. In some embodiments, retainer  50  is intended to be removed and reattached. Lugs or teeth of the securing ring will allow locking into corresponding apertures  53 . In some embodiments, segments  61  are hollowed to allow for locking retainer  50  over retaining ring lugs via placement of apertures over lugs and then rotating retainer so that lugs fit within segments to prevent vertical displacement. 
     Retainer  50  provides for hexagonal cells  80  that meet one another at cell walls  82 . Retainer includes upper edge  84  of upper array  56  to form top surface  57 . Similarly, lower array  58  forms lower edge  86  at bottom  59 . Hexagonal cells  80  meet one another at intersecting edges  88  to form vertical center line  72 . While cells  80  form hexagonal structures when viewed vertically, the intersection of offset upper and lower arrays  56  and  58  form rhomboidal apertures to contain stems set therethrough. Upper array  56  includes hexagonal cells  80  with upper cells  90  that are defined by upper cell walls  92 . Offset from upper array, lower array  58  includes hexagonal cells  80  with lower cells  91  that are defined by lower cell walls  94 . 
     The bottom of the vase is intended to include pins molded into a base. The pins allow for stems, sticks, or otherwise longitudinal features to pass through retainer and fit between one or more pins. It is preferable that the pins and base are made from the same material as the vase, or otherwise camouflaged therein. It is preferable that the securing ring will be molded out of a clear polymer so as to not be seen, similarly retainer should be molded from a clear material. In an alternative embodiment, securing ring and/or retainer may be made of a similar color so as to camouflage with vase. In alternative embodiment, colors and materials may vary. Retainer creates a three-dimensional shape to allow multiple points of contact to secure a stem set therethrough. In some applications of the present retainer device, one or more longitudinal stems may be set into retainer in a particular display, and then the retainer with set stems may be attached into vase along securing ring. In some embodiments, lugs will be shaped to snap into receiving apertures in retainer. 
     Preferred embodiments include the use of hexagonal features as apertures in retaining ring. An offset arrangement of upright hexagonal cells (as shown in  FIGS.  3 ,  6 , and  7   ) are preferred. Preferably, cell walls  51  are made of a clear material, such as a plastic or other useful stiff material. To produce an oval shape (at side cross section), walls  51  are taller in center  52  than around edges  53  of retainer perimeter  70 . It is preferred that the intersection  150  of the hexagonal arrays are set central relative the overlayed arrayed. Peg  54  may be arranged to provide horizontal securement against the vase interior, peg including widening at a preferably obtuse angle at or exceeding one hundred-twenty degrees, as shown in widening peg  76 . Peg  54  may alternate with large feet  154  around perimeter of retainer. In addition, it is preferred that lower and upper arrays join together to form peg feet and large feet to meet vase interior surface and allow lugs to interface therebetween.