Abstract:
The present invention is directed to blankets of flowers that can he draped (e.g., over a coffin, casket, table, other structure, etc.). Such blankets of flowers may be employed at funerals, weddings, parties, baptisms, etc. The blanket may negate the need for a vase, and allow striking presentation of cut flowers in a manner not previously available.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/166,956, filed May 27, 2015, entitled “BLANKET OF FLOWERS,” the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. The Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is in the field of flower displays. 
         [0004]    2. The Relevant Technology 
         [0005]    Fresh cut flowers are often displayed in vases or similar containers. There exists a need for alternative display mechanisms. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to blankets, pyramids, and other 3-dimensional structures for displaying flowers. For example, a blanket may include a flexible rubber or other elastomeric top layer that can be draped over a surface e.g., a table edge, coffin, etc.). The top layer may be relatively thin and sheet-like, e.g., having a large surface area top/bottom and of a relatively thin thickness, so as to be substantially dimensional (i.e., the thickness is minimal compared to the length and width). The overall blanket itself may also be substantially 2-dimensional (i.e., thickness is minimal compared to length and width). For example, to be substantially 2-dimensional, the thickness of a top layer, or the overall blanket may be less than 5%, less than 3%, or less than 2% of the length and/or width of the layer or blanket. Various dimensions disclosed herein are exemplary of such geometries. Such structures could be termed a blanket of flowers, bed of flowers, or bed of roses (in the case of roses used as the flowers). 
         [0007]    In an embodiment, the device for displaying flowers (e.g., fresh cut flowers) may include a flexible, drapable blanket including a rubber or other elastomeric top layer, the top layer being sheet-like and including a plurality of pre-formed holes through which cut flowers may be inserted through the top layer and into a layer of floral foam. In another embodiment, pre-formed holes may not necessarily be provided. For example, the material may have strength and other characteristics that would allow a user to simply press a flower stem, or a proxy thereof (e.g., a dowel) through the top layer, to form a hole. The device may include a layer of floral foam (e.g., OASIS) disposed adjacent to and beneath the top layer, to receive a stein of a cut flower inserted through a pre-formed or other hole of the top layer, and into the floral foam. The rubber or other elastomeric top layer and the layer of floral foam may collectively be flexible and drapable once the layer of floral foam is soaked in water, allowing the device to be draped over a casket, piano, furniture, or other object. The floral foam may soak up the water, so that the water filled device does not leak, or drip during use. A bottom layer may also be provided (e.g., another rubber or elastomeric material) as will be described herein, which may also aid in containing such water that may be present in the device as used. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment of the invention may be directed to a pyramid or other 3-dimensional structure for displaying flowers (e.g., fresh cut flowers). Such a device may include one in which each side of the pyramid or other structure includes a rubber or other elastomeric top layer, the top layer being sheet-like and including a plurality of preformed holes through which flowers may be inserted through the top layer and into a layer of floral foam. As described above, in another embodiment, pre-formed holes may not necessarily be provided, but holes may be formed (and placed) as desired by the user using a tool or perhaps even the flower stem to press through the top layer. The device may further include a layer of floral foam (e.g., OASIS) disposed within the interior of the pyramid adjacent to and beneath the top layer of each side of the pyramid or other shaped structure. The layer of floral foam may be configured to receive a stem of a cut flower inserted through the top layer (e.g., through the holes referenced above), into the floral foam. 
         [0009]    Another embodiment of the invention may be directed to a device for displaying flowers (e.g., fresh cut flowers) including a flexible, drapable blanket including a rubber or other elastomeric bottom layer and perimeter edge, the bottom layer being sheet-like, and a layer of floral foam (e.g., OASIS) positioned adjacent to and above the bottom layer to receive a stern of a cut flower inserted into the floral foam. The rubber or other elastomeric bottom layer and the layer of floral foam may be flexible and drapable once the layer of floral foam is soaked in water. 
         [0010]    Another embodiment for a pyramid structure may include a rubber or other elastomeric bottom layer, including a perimeter edge, where the bottom layer is sheet-like. Each corner of the pyramid may include a rubber or other elastomeric arm that extends towards the center top of the pyramid. A layer of floral foam may be provided within the interior of the pyramid, defining the sides of the pyramid, adjacent to and above the bottom layer of the pyramid. The layer of floral foam may be configured to receive a stern of a cut flower inserted therein, as described above. 
         [0011]    These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    In order that the manner which the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of an exemplary blanket of flowers. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view through the blanket of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a close-up cross-sectional view showing how a tie may connect the top layer to a bottom layer of the blanket. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a round, circular shaped blanket of flowers. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a kidney-shaped blanket of flowers. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  is a top plan view of a pyramid shaped device for holding fresh cut flowers. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  is a side elevation view of the device of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view through the device of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view through another embodiment of a blanket of flowers, this one including a bottom elastomeric layer, but no top layer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    The present invention is directed to blankets, pyramids, and other 3-dimensional structures for displaying flowers. Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , a blanket  100  may include a flexible rubber or other elastomeric layer (a top layer  102  or bottom layer  104 ) that can be draped over a surface (e.g., a table edge, casket, coffin, furniture, etc.). The layers  102 ,  104  may be relatively thin and sheet-like, e.g., having a large surface area top/bottom and of a relatively thin thickness, so as to be substantially 2-dimensional (i.e., the thickness is minimal compared to the length and width). For example, by sheet-like or substantially 2-dimensional, it is meant that the referred to structure may have a thickness that may be less than 5%, less than 3%, or less than 2%, or less than 1% of the length and/or width of the particular structure (e.g., layer, overall blanket, or the like). Various dimensions disclosed herein and in the provisional application are exemplary of such geometries. 
         [0023]    The top layer  102  may include pre-formed holes  106  (e.g., about ¼ inch diameter) through which cut flowers may be inserted. A layer of floral foam  108  (e.g. OASIS) may be disposed beneath and adjacent to the top layer  102  to receive a stem (the stern may be cut to be quite short—sufficiently short so that it does not penetrate the bottom of the floral foam).  FIG. 2  shows an exemplary flower  110  inserted into one of holes  106 . It will be appreciated that some or all of such holes  106  may be filled with flowers. While the floral foam  108  can be quite rigid and brittle (and fragile) before soaking in water, once soaked, the floral foam  108  becomes flexible and drapable, in conjunction with the thin layer(s)  102 ,  104  of the rubber or other elastomeric material, so that the entire structure  100  is itself flexible and drapable. The various layers may act as a laminate of the two or more layers together (i.e., so that they all flex and bend together). For example, layer  102 ,  104 , and  108  may flex and bend generally together. Where only one of layers  102  or  104  is provided with layer  108 , the two layers (e.g.,  104  and  108 ) may similarly flex and bend together. 
         [0024]    If desired the two layers (e.g.,  108  and an elastomeric layer  102  or  104 ) may be attached. to one another (e.g., with an adhesive such as epoxy), or simply mechanically retained relative to one another e.g., in an embodiment the layer of floral foam  108  may be completely encased (other than holes  106 ) by the elastomeric materials of top layer  102  and a corresponding bottom layer  104  provided below the floral foam  108 . The bottom layer  104  may be similar to the top layer  102 , but without the pre-formed holes  106 . In an embodiment, holes  106  may be die-cut or similarly preformed in top layer  102 , but with the plug of material retained within the hole  106 . This may allow a user to remove only those plugs of holes  106  desired to be used by inserting a flower stem therein. Of course, in another embodiment, the plugs of such holes may be removed (e.g., all removed). Allowing plugs to remain may reduce evaporation of water from the floral foam  108 . The pre-formed holes  106  may be equally spaced, positioned in patterns, equally or differently sized, etc., as desired. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the floral foam layer  108  may be retained, e.g., within a “cage” of the elastomeric layer (e.g., including overhanging edges  112   a  of perimeter  112  to trap the floral foam  108  therein, even though it may not be fully encased, for example if there were no top layer in a blanket device  100 ′, as seen in  FIG. 8 ). Such an embodiment as in  FIG. 8  may allow a user to simply push flowers  110  into exposed top of floral foam layer  108 , where desired. 
         [0026]    The blanket device may be provided in any desired shape or size (e.g., rectangular, square, circular, oval, triangular, kidney bean shaped, donut shaped, other polygon shaped, other shape defined by straight and/or curved edges, irregular, etc.), In some embodiments, the blanket may be shaped as one or more letters, numbers, other characters, graphics, a silhouette of a recognizable graphic (e.g., Mickey Mouse, etc.), or the like. By way of non-limiting examples,  FIG. 1  shows a rectangular shaped blanket  100 ,  FIG. 4  shows a round, circular shaped blanket  200  having some given diameter, and  FIG. 5  shows a kidney bean shaped blanket device  300 . Any of such variously shaped blanket devices may include a top layer  102 , a bottom layer  104 , or may omit one of such layers, as described in conjunction with the other Figures. Any of such blanket devices may be sheet-like, generally 2-dimensional, with a thickness dimension that is far less than the width, length, diameter or similar measurements, as described above, so as to be sheet-like. 
         [0027]    During assembly, the open celled floral foam  108  may be soaked for the necessary time 20-30 minutes). Once prepared, the cut flowers  110  may be inserted through the pre-formed holes  106  (or directly into the floral foam if a top layer of elastomeric material is not necessarily present) so that the bottom of the stem penetrates into the layer of floral foam  108 . The flowers may be cut so as to have relatively short stems (e.g., sufficiently short so that they will not penetrate through the bottom of the layer of floral loam  108 ), For example, for such a blanket, the stems may be less than an inch (e.g., a ½ inch) in length. This may he particularly suitable for smaller to medium size blooms, such as roses, and similarly sized blooms (e.g., about 2 inch diameter or less, or about 1-2 inch diameter blooms). 
         [0028]    Where the display is a pyramid device  400  ( FIGS. 6A-7 ), longer stems may be accommodated, given the greater thickness of the layer of floral foam  108  within the interior of the pyramid  400 . Somewhat longer stems may also be accommodated, even in a 2-dimensional sheet-like blanket by simply providing the floral foam in a thicker layer, e.g., with a bottom elastomeric/rubber layer  104 . The side edges  112  may he covered by the elastomeric layer (e.g., same or similar material to layers  102  and  104 ). In an embodiment, the perimeter side edge  112  may be integral, e.g., formed as a single piece of material (i.e., seamless) with one or both of layers  102  or  104 . The top of the blanket  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be open to the floral foam layer  108 , which may be somewhat thicker than described relative to an encased embodiment (e.g., 2 inch foam, 3 inch foam, 4 inch foam, 5 inch foam, etc.). Even with such thicker floral foam  108 , upon wetting, and with the underlying elastomeric layer  104 , the overall structure may be flexible and drapable, if desired, particularly for a thinner foam thickness (e.g., 2 inches or less). 
         [0029]    The bottom of the blanket may include a bottom layer  104  of elastomeric/rubber material, sufficiently thick to hold and support the soaked floral foam material  108 . The floral foam  108  may he sufficiently thick to retain the needed water for the life of the cut flowers at least about 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, etc.). Of course, additional water could be added after initial set up, if desired, particularly for relatively thinner floral foam configurations. 
         [0030]    A pyramid embodiment  400  is shown in  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 7 . For such a display, the flower holes  106  may be of different sizes (e.g., larger at top, smaller along the bottom and sides of the pyramid), Of course, different sized holes could be provided within any other device as well. The top portion  11 . 4  of such a pyramid  400  may be removable, allowing easy access to place the floral foam  108  into the interior of the pyramid  400  (e.g., as bricks of floral foam  108 ). Such bricks may be placed dry, and then soaked. Of course, they could be pre-wetted and placed after soaking. 
         [0031]    The pre-formed holes  106  in the top layer for a top portion  114  (removable top portion) of the pyramid  400  may have diameters that are larger than pre-formed holes  106  in the adjacent inclined sides  102  of the pyramid  400  that are lower than the top portion  114 . In other words, a top portion  114  of the pyramid  400  may have larger diameter holes than the lower portion holes  106  in inclined sides  102 . This may better accommodate larger stem, larger/taller flowers at the top portion  114 , and smaller stem, shorter flowers along the lower portion surrounding the top portion  114 . Such larger holes could also be placed in the inclined pyramid sides  102 , (e.g., with larger holes nearer the top, and smaller holes nearer the bottom), as desired. 
         [0032]    The thickness of the top and bottom layers  102 ,  104  (where a top layer is included) may be similar to one another, and may depend on the overall size of the blanket  100 ,  200 ,  300  or pyramid  400 . For example, for rectangular ( FIG. 1 ) and circular ( FIG. 4 ) blankets where the length or diameter is about 4 feet or less, the thickness of the top and bottom layers may be about ⅛ inch, or ¼ inch. For 6 or 8 foot sizes (e.g., length. or diameter), the thickness of the elastomeric/rubber layer(s)  102 ,  104  may be somewhat greater e.g., ⅜ inch), given the significantly increased weight of the overall blanket or pyramid. For example, in any embodiment, the thickness may be from ⅛ inch (0.125 inch) to about ½ inch (0.5 inch), or from ⅛ inch to ⅜ inch (0.375 inch), or any other ranges defined between values disclosed herein. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , ties  116  may extend from the top layer  102  (or bottom layer  104 ) through the floral foam layer  108  to help in maintaining the attachment relationship (lamination) between the floral foam and the one or more elastomeric layers. Such ties may bridge between a top layer  102  and bottom layer  104 . Such ties  116  may include an enlarged head  118  or washer that engages a portion of the bottom (or top) of the layer  102  or  104  that is enlarged relative to the stem  120  of the tie  116 , as seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, for example, for use with silk flowers, there is no need for soaking of the floral foam (OASIS)  108  with water. Such an embodiment may include floral foam  108  (e.g., styrofoam, or another similar foam anchoring material) rather than the OASIS or other floral foam soakable material into which the stems of the silk flowers  110  may be inserted. Such an embodiment will typically weight significantly less, given no need for water. As such, no bottom layer  104  may be needed to cover the bottom of the floral foam  108  (e.g., styrofoam, expanded polystyrene or other expanded foam) to hold in water (as no water is added). In an embodiment, the foam material  108  in such an embodiment may be flexible, and drapable, rather than rigid. In such an embodiment, a top layer  102  of elastomeric material may or may not be present—e.g., the elastomeric material may simply extend around a perimeter edge  112  of the blanket or other device. In such an embodiment, the material and/or thickness of the perimeter edge  112  may be rigid, or more rigid than the bottom layer  104 , rather than flexible and elastomeric, if drapability is not needed. Where drapability is not needed, the foam material  108  therein may be rigid, rather than flexible and drapable. Where no top layer  102  is present, the perimeter edge  112  may overhang (e.g., see  112   a  of  FIG. 8 ) the floral foam  108  or other foam material within the interior of the device.  FIG. 8  illustrates an example of a device without any such top layer  102 . 
         [0035]    When used with fresh cut flowers, the floral foam  108  (e.g., OASIS) may be of a foam material capable of absorbing and soaking up water. When used with silk flowers, the floral foam may be of a foam material that does not readily absorb water, as no water is needed. 
         [0036]    Another embodiment of a floral blanket may include an elastomeric or rubber layer (e.g., membrane), where the blanket may be anywhere from 2 inches to 4 inches in thickness. The elastomeric layer may extend around the edge perimeter  112  of the blanket or other device, and may cover the bottom (e.g., layer  104 ). The elastomeric layer or body structure (e.g., bottom layer  104  and perimeter edge  112 ) may define a trough into which the floral foam  108  is placed, and which is somewhat less in thickness than the elastomeric rubber edge (see  FIG. 8 —which shows floral foam  108  recessed below the top of perimeter edge  112 ). For example, the floral foam  108  may be about ½ inch less in thickness than the height of the elastomeric edge  112 , as shown (e.g., about 1.5 inches of foam  108  for a 2 inch thick blanket, about 2.5 inches of foam for a 3 inch thick blanket, etc.). The thicker blanket thicknesses (e.g., about 4 inches) may be particularly suitable for larger blooms (e.g., more than 2 inches in diameter, or length), such as pom poms, gladiolus, bird of paradise, etc. 
         [0037]    Such embodiments may still be flexible, and drapable, if desired. For example, the thickness of the floral foam  108 , and/or thickness of any underlying rubber bottom layer  104  (and perimeter edge  112 ) may be sufficiently thin to be flexible, and drapable (e.g., over a casket, piano, other furniture, etc.) during use (e.g., filled with water for live flowers). Such blankets could be attached (e.g., screwed or otherwise) into the casket or other substrate upon which the blanket is placed. The elastomeric/rubber layer  104  could be screwed through, into the substrate for such attachment (e.g., preferably before, although possibly after placement of floral foam layer  108 ). 
         [0038]    In a variation of the embodiment seen in  FIGS. 6A-7  another embodiment of a pyramid type configuration  400  may be provided in which the sides (e.g., inclined) of the pyramid  400  do not need to include a top layer of the elastomeric material  102 . For example, such a structure would appear as in  FIG. 7 , but without layer  102 . A bottom perimeter edge (analogous to edge  112  that extends partly up sides  102 ), and a bottom layer  104  of the elastomeric material may be provided. A plurality of arms  122  of the elastomeric material may also be provided along the sides of the pyramid  400 . The inclined sides may be open, with exposed, accessible floral foam material  108 , into which foam the stems of the desired flowers may be inserted. The perimeter edge  112  and arms  122  help to provide structure and support to the pyramid structure (e.g., aiding in holding the floral foam in place). 
         [0039]    Numbers, percentages, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are about or approximately the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing process, and may include values that are within 10%, within 5%, within 1%, etc. of a stated value. Furthermore, the terms “substantially”, “about” or “approximately” as used herein represents an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the term “substantially” “about” or “approximately” may refer to an amount that is within 10% of, within 5% of, or within 1% of, a stated amount or value. 
         [0040]    Values that are approximately equal to one another may be within 25% of within 10% of, within 5% of or within 1% of one another. 
         [0041]    As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0042]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.