Abstract:
A combination candle holder and flower holder is provided in which the member that holds the candle is also amenable to holding a flower when a candle is not disposed therein. This principle can be employed for devices that are designed to hold either a candle or a single flower or to devices that can simultaneously hold one or more candles and one or more flowers. Sine the same structure can effectively hold either a candle or a flower it provides increased flexibility and utility for the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/840,871, which was filed on Aug. 29, 2006, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention is in the field of decorative candle holders and flower vases. More particularly, the present invention is in the field of devices that can hold both flowers and one or more candle.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     There are many devices configured to hold candles. Similarly, there are many vases of various configurations for holding flowers. Still further, there are devices configured to hold both a candle and flowers simultaneously. In such devices, at least a portion of the device is specifically designed to hold a candle while another portion of the device is specifically designed to hold one or more flowers. However, such designs lead to inherent limitations. For example, while the device may be functionally capable of holding a candle without also holding flowers, or vice versa, holding one without the other leaves portions of the device visibly empty. Thus, the desired visual effect of the device suffers.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device that can hold both one or more candles and/or one or more flowers without losing its pleasing visual appearance if only one or the other are held by the device.  
         [0007]     In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides a candle and flower holding system. The system comprises a holder member adapted to selectively hold a candle or support a flower stem. The holder member comprises a first cavity having a lateral support portion and a vertical support portion. The lateral support portion is adapted to provide lateral support for a candle placed within the first cavity. The vertical support portion is adapted to provide vertical support for a candle placed within the first cavity. An aperture is formed through a bottom of the first cavity. The aperture is sized and configured to accommodate a flower stem extending therethrough. The aperture has a side adapted to laterally support the flower stem. A second cavity is disposed below the holder member and is contiguous with the aperture. The second cavity is configured to hold water. The system may selectively hold a candle or a flower and water without changing the system configuration.  
         [0008]     In one embodiment, the lateral support portion comprises a wall, and the vertical support comprises a generally horizontal surface. In another embodiment, the lateral support portion comprises at least one rib. In one such embodiment, the ribs are configured to at least partially penetrate a candle engaging the ribs.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, the first cavity has a first diameter and the second cavity has a second diameter, and the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.  
         [0010]     In accordance with another embodiment, a support member attachable to a container is provided. The support member is configured to alternatively hold a candle or a flower, and comprises an attachment member configured to attach the support member to the container. A candle holder member has a longitudinal axis and comprising a first member adapted to provide vertical support for a candle disposed on the holder member, and a second member adapted to provide lateral support for a candle disposed on the holder member so that the holder member selectively holds a candle generally along the longitudinal axis. A flower holder member comprises a lateral support surface disposed about an aperture. The aperture is configured to accommodate a flower stem and has a longitudinal axis that is substantially collinear with the candle holder longitudinal axis. The support member can selectively hold either a candle or support a flower stem.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, the candle holder member and flower holder member are contiguous. In another embodiment, the first member of the candle holder member comprises the lateral support surface disposed about the aperture of the flower holder member. In yet another embodiment, the support member comprises a plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members that are attached to one another. Still another embodiment additionally comprises spaces between the plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members, the spaces adapted to accommodate flower stems extending therethrough. In still another embodiment, the support member is adapted to be suspended over a bowl portion of a container so that each of the plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members communication with the bowl portion.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment, the support member is adapted to rest upon a container. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a combination candle holder and flower bud vase.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a combination candle holder and flower vase.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a top view of one embodiment of a combination candle holder and flower vase.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 4A  taken along the lines  4 B- 4 B.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5A  is a top view of still another embodiment of a combination candle holder and a flower vase.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A  taken along the lines of  5 B- 5 B.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of a still further embodiment of a combination candle holder and a flower vase.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6A  taken along the lines of  6 B- 6 B. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a combination candle holder and bud vase  20  is presented. The illustrated embodiment includes an elongated body  22  supported on a base  24  and having a top surface  26 . The illustrated elongate body  22  includes decorative shapes and features along its outer surface  27 . A first or primary cavity  28  is formed extending downwardly through the top surface  26 . Preferably, the primary cavity  28  is sized and shaped so as to accommodate the bottom of a candle configured for mounting in a typical candle holder. As such,  FIG. 1  illustrates the device  20  functioning as a candle holder with a candle disposed in the primary cavity  28 .  
         [0023]     An offset surface  30  is disposed at the bottom portion of the primary cavity. The offset  20  effectively decreases the diameter of the primary cavity  28 , which in the illustrated embodiment is substantially circular in cross-section. Preferably, the offset surface  30  is generally horizontal, and helps to support the candle.  
         [0024]     The offset surface  30  does not extend fully across the bottom of the primary cavity  28 . Rather, an opening  32  through the bottom of the primary cavity  28  leads to a secondary cavity  34  formed in the body  22 . Preferably, the secondary cavity  34  is enclosed so as to hold water. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary cavity  34  is elongate. More specifically, the secondary cavity  34  is sized and shaped so that it easily accommodates the long stem of a flower. As such, the illustrated combination candle holder/bud vase  20  is especially adapted to hold a single flower when the candle is removed from the primary cavity  28 .  
         [0025]     In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary cavity  34  has a substantially constant, preferably circular cross-section. Further, the diameter of the secondary cavity  34  is substantially the same throughout its length, and this diameter is smaller than the diameter of the primary cavity  28 .  
         [0026]     With reference next to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , another embodiment of a combination candle holder/flower vase  40  is provided. This embodiment comprises a body  42  that has a decorative design element  44 , a holder element  46 , and a secondary use element  48 . In this embodiment, the design  44  includes an angel, and the secondary use element  48  comprises a small bowl having a cup. The holder element  46  comprises an elongate, upwardly-extending holder body  40  having a top surface  52 . Like the embodiment in  FIG. 1 , a primary cavity  54  extends downwardly through the top surface  52 , and an offset surface  56  is formed at the bottom of the primary cavity  54 . An opening  58  through the bottom of the primary cavity  54  leads to a secondary cavity  60  formed within the holder body  50 . The opening  58  is smaller in diameter than the primary cavity  54 . As such, the primary cavity  54  is sufficient to hold a candle therein, and the candle is supported by the offset surface  56 .  
         [0027]     In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary cavity  60  does not necessarily have a reduced diameter relative to the primary cavity  54 . Also, the secondary cavity  60  does not have a consistent cross-section throughout its length. However, the opening  58  preferably has a diameter reduced relative to the primary cavity  54 , and preferably is shaped and configured so as to appropriately hold and stabilize a single flower stem therein. Thus, when the candle is removed, the device  40  functions quite well as a bud vase. In another embodiment, the opening  58  is sized and adapted to hold a small arrangement of flowers. Thus, as above, when not being used to hold a candle, the device  40  can be used to hold flowers, and vice versa.  
         [0028]     In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , an outer surface of the holder body  22 ,  50  is not dictated by the shape of the primary  28 ,  54  and secondary cavities  34 ,  60  that are formed therewithin. Thus, the holder body outer surface can have graphical or physical design elements substantially independent of the shapes of the cavities.  
         [0029]     With reference next to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , in another embodiment, a combination candle holder/flower vase  70  is provided having a container  72  configured to support a candle/flower holder support  74 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support  75  comprises a candle/flower holder member  76  that is supported by a plurality of ribs  78  that engage the container  72 . The container  72  includes a plurality of notches or slots  80  that are generally complementary to the ribs  78  so that the ribs  78  fit within the slots  80  and are thus supported by the container  72 . As such, the candle/flower holder member  76  is suspended above a bowl portion  82  of the container  72 .  
         [0030]     The candle/flower holder member  76  comprises an elongate body  84  having a bottom surface  86 . The body  84  and bottom surface  86  are shaped and configured to support a candle in a manner similar to a typical candle holder. However, an opening  88  is formed through the bottom surface  86 . Nonetheless, the bottom surface  86  is substantial enough to provide sufficient support to hold the candle.  
         [0031]     The illustrated embodiment is flexible, and can be used in multiple ways. For example, the candle/flower holder support  74  can be removed from the container  72 , leaving a common bowl  82  that can be used exclusively for flowers as with a typical vase. In another embodiment, the support  74  is placed in the container  72 , and a candle is placed in the candle/flower holder  76 , making an attractive candle holder. In another embodiment, the candle is placed in the candle/flower holder member  76 , but simultaneously a flower arrangement is placed in the common bowl  82  of the container  72 , with the flower stems accessing the common bowl by extending between the support ribs  78  of the candle/flower holder support  72 . As such, a combination candle holder/flower arrangement is provided in which a candle can provide a central theme of the arrangement and is surrounded by flowers.  
         [0032]     In still another embodiment, flowers can be placed with their stems in between the support ribs  78  as just discussed, but instead of a candle disposed in the candle/flower holder member  76 , a single prominent flower may be placed with its stem extending through the opening  88 . As such, the candle/flower holder member  76  supports the prominent flower in a centered position within the flower arrangement. Accordingly, the illustrated embodiment provides much flexibility in the use of the device to obtain a desirable visual appearance with or without a candle and with or without flowers.  
         [0033]     With reference next to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , another embodiment  90  is illustrated in which a container  92  defines a common bowl  94 . A candle/flower holder support  96  is arranged so that it rests upon an upper edge  98  of the container  92 . The illustrated candle/flower holder support  96  includes a central candle/flower holder member  100  that is connected to a plurality of surrounding candle/flower holder members  102 . Each candle/flower holder member  100 ,  102  comprises an elongate body portion  104  and a bottom surface  106 , and each holder member  100 ,  102  is configured to accept and support a candle therein. Additionally, each holder member includes an opening  108  through the bottom surface through which a flower stem can fit.  
         [0034]     In the illustrated embodiment, the centrally-arranged candle/flower holder member  100  is arranged generally above the other holder members  102 . The present embodiment can be used exclusively with candles, providing an arrangement in which the central candle has a prominent position. In another embodiment, the candle/flower holder  90  is used with both candles and flowers, in which flowers are arranged with their stems extending through the openings  108  of one or several of the candle/flower holder members  102  and one or more of the candle/flower holder members  100 ,  102  is used to support candles. Thus, the present device illustrates that an embodiment can simultaneously use some candle/flower holder members  100 ,  102  to support candles while others support flowers, thus creating a flexible multi-use device.  
         [0035]     With reference next to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , another embodiment of a candle-holding structure  110  is provided. In this embodiment, an elongate body  112  of a container  114 , such as the elongate holder body  50  of  FIG. 2 , has a primary cavity  716  and then a plurality of ribs  118  extending inwardly from an inner surface  120  of the body  112 , each rib  118  having an inwardly slanted portion  122  and a bottom support surface  124 . The ribs  118  are arranged to support a candle placed in the primary cavity  116 . Such support can be through simply holding and supporting the weight of the candle, forcing the candle into the ribs  118  so that the ribs penetrate the wax of the candle to hold the candle, or a combination of both approaches. A secondary cavity  126  is provided within the elongate body  112  below the ribs  118 . Preferably, the secondary cavity  126  is watertight so as to hold water for flowers. In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs  118  fill only a small portion of the cross-sectional area defined within the elongate body  112 . Thus, when the device  110  is not being used to hold a candle, there is increased space to place multiple flower stems into the elongate body  112 .  
         [0036]     It is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined with one another. For example, the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , each include an offset surface  30 ,  56 . As illustrated, the offset surface  30 ,  56  represents an area of reduced diameter for supporting a candle. However, it is to be understood that an offset surface can also comprise ribs  118  having bottom support surfaces  124  as disclosed in connection with  FIGS. 6A and 6B . As such, an offset surface may refer to several different types of structures.  
         [0037]     Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.