Abstract:
An assembly for displaying a flower bouquet that includes a container for holding the flower bouquet and a stand for supporting the container in a substantially upright position. The container is composed of three parts. A tube holds the stem of the flowers with the base of the tube providing hydration to the cut flower stems for a long-lasting bouquet. The top of the tube has a plurality of uniquely shaped, bouquet supporting segments of varying flower design that complements the fresh flowers that are placed in the vase.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a Continuation In Part of co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 13/564,233 filed Aug. 1, 2012. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC  
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates generally to floral arrangement and floral design. More particularly, the present invention concerns a novel handheld bouquet container. 
         [0006]    2. Description Of Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,841 issued to Ghiotti on Mar. 8, 2005 discloses a hand-held floral bouquet holder that comprises a handle, a collar and a body connected to the handle and the collar. The body is configured to define a volume. A removable material is positioned in the volume and a cage is arranged such that an edge of the cage contacts the collar. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    By way of brief summary, the present invention concerns an assembly for displaying a flower bouquet that includes a container for holding the flower bouquet and a stand for supporting the container in a substantially upright position. The container is composed of three parts. A tube holds the stem of the flowers with the base of the tube providing hydration to the cut flower stems for a long-lasting bouquet. The top of the tube has a plurality of uniquely shaped, bouquet supporting segments of varying flower design that complements the fresh flowers that are placed in the vase. 
         [0009]    With the forgoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a slip-resistant vase for holding fresh cut flowers that is small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of the hand. 
         [0010]    Another object of the invention is to simplify and optimize the freshness of cut flowers while also being economical, decorative and colorful. In one form of the invention, the vase can be color coordinated with the flowers chosen by the user. 
         [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide a bouquet container that can support various arrangements of flowers that make up a bouquet, with predetermined height and positioning. 
         [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide a flower holder that not only securely holds the stems of the flowers at varying heights, but also provides a small watertight container for keeping the arrangement fresh and, therefore, prolongs the life of the bouquet. 
         [0013]    Another object of the invention is to use the bouquet container to create an attractive and unique appearance of the bouquet in order to enhance the beauty of color of the flowers. 
         [0014]    Another object of the invention is to provide a bouquet holder and cooperating stand that is attractive in appearance and can be conveniently used to display a flower bouquet made up of the plurality of flowers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the handheld bouquet container of the invention, showing the closure cap assembly open and separated from the container body. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a greatly enlarged generally perspective view of the closure cap assembly of the form of the handheld bouquet container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a generally perspective view of the handheld bouquet container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary, generally perspective view of the body portion of the handheld bouquet container broken away to show the internal construction of the body portion. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the upper portion of the handheld bouquet container shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the handheld bouquet container shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a generally perspective view of an alternate form of the invention that comprises a bouquet holder and a cooperating stand for supporting the bouquet holder. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a generally perspective view of the cooperating stand for supporting the bouquet holder. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the bouquet holder. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the bouquet holder. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a generally perspective, exploded view taken along lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , one form of the handheld container assembly of the present invention is there illustrated and generally designated by the numeral  14 . Assembly  14  comprises a body portion  16  having an upper portion  18 , a lower portion  20  having an internally threaded opening  22  ( FIG. 4 ), and a gripping portion  24  located intermediate the upper and lower portions. Upper portion  18  has a top opening  26  that communicates with an internal chamber  28  that is formed within body portion  16 . Internal chamber  28  is provided with circumferentially spaced striations  28   a  that function to hold in place the flowers contained within handheld container assembly (see  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 ). Best seen in  FIG. 5 , body portion  16  includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, generally petal shaped segments  30 . Petal shaped segments  30  can be configured to replicate the petals of the flowers contained within handheld container assembly, as for example, sunflowers, daisies, amaryllis, lilies, iris and zinnias. Body portion  16  also includes an upraised, generally planar indicia-receiving area  32  upon which suitable indicia, such as the florist&#39;s name, address or trademark can be imprinted or engraved. 
         [0027]    Removably connected to lower portion  20  is an externally threaded lower assembly  34  that, when connected to lower portion  20 , sealably closes opening  22 . A unique feature of the invention resides in the provision of a generally cylindrically shaped, water absorbing sponge  36  that extends from the top  34   a  of the threaded portion into internal chamber  28  of body portion  16 . When cut flowers are positioned within internal chamber  28 , sponge  36  functions to effectively hydrate the flower stems. A rubber washer  38  which is located proximate the external threads  40  of the lower assembly, sealably engages the lower end of body portion  16 . Lower assembly  34  includes a generally hemispherical end  34   b.    
         [0028]    In using the handheld container assembly of the invention, after the flower bouquet “FB” ( FIG. 1 ) is cleaned of leaves or any thorns, it is inserted into the upper portion  18  via top opening  26 . Preferably, the stems of the bouquet are pushed downwardly through the bottom opening  22  so that they can be trimmed to the proper length. This done, the sponge  36  is wetted and the lower assembly  34  is connected to the upper portion  18  so that the flower stems reside in engagement with the sponge. During use, the strategically located gripping portion  24  permits safe and easy transport of the container and an upstanding ridge  42  provided around top opening  26  ( FIG. 4 ) provides stability to the flowers during transport. 
         [0029]    The handheld container assembly of the invention can be molded from any suitable semi-rigid plastic material in various colors and can be of various sizes, depending on the use that is to be made of the container. For example, the height can be from 10 to 12 inches, the top diameter can be from 5 to 10 inches, and the bottom diameter can be from 1 to 1.5 inches. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 7  of the drawings, an alternate form of the present invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  50 . This alternate form of the invention here comprises an assembly for displaying a flower bouquet that comprises a container  52  for holding the flower bouquet and a cooperating stand  54  for supporting the container  52  in the substantially upright configuration shown in  FIG. 7  of the drawings. Container  52  is similar in some respects to the handheld container assembly previously described herein and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 9 through 11  to identify like components. Container  52  here comprises a generally cylindrically shaped body  56  having an internal chamber  58 , an upper portion  60  having a flower stem receiving opening  60   a  and a lower threaded portion  62 . Extending upwardly and outwardly from upper portion  60  of container  52  is a plurality of circumferentially spaced, bouquet supporting, actinomorphic segments  64 . Each actinomorphic segment  64  comprises a lower portion  64   a,  an upwardly curved, tapered central portion  64   b  and a downwardly curved, tapered upper portion  64   c.    
         [0031]    Threadably connected to the lower portion  62  of the body  56  is a threaded lower assembly  66  that functions to close the open, lower threaded portion  62  of the body  56 . Lower assembly  66  includes a generally cylindrically shaped, water absorbing sponge  36  that extends into internal chamber  58  of body  56 . As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, when the stems of cut flowers are positioned within internal chamber  58 , sponge  36 , when wetted, functions to effectively hydrate the flower stems. 
         [0032]    As best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 11 , each of the bouquet supporting actinomorphic segments  64  is connected to the upper portion  60  by any suitable means. 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8  of the drawings, stand  54 , which functions to support the container  52  in a substantially upright position, includes a base  70 , an angularly upward extending leg  72  connected to the base and a top wall  74  that is connected to the angularly upward extending leg  72  and extends substantially parallel to the base  52 . Angularly upward extending leg  72  is provided with an aperture  76  and top wall  74  is provided with an aperture  78 . Apertures  76  and  78  telescopically receive the body of said container in the manner depicted in  FIG. 7 . To provide additional rigidity to the stand, a generally vertically extending reinforcement panel  80  spans the angularly upwardly extending leg  72  and the base  52 . 
         [0034]    Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.