Improvements in and relating to Stands or Holders for Bouquets, Cut-flowers, and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1894.
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Stands or Holders for Bouquets,
Cut-flowers, and the like.
I, JOHN FEAVER, of Long Walk, Bermondsey Square, in the County of
Surrey, Iron and Tinware Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:—
My invention is designed to provide improved means for holding bouquets, cut-
flowers, foliage and the like whilst preserving or retaining unimpaired for a
comparatively long period of time the original freshness and beauty of the same.
My improved stand or holder is made with tier upon tier of water-reservoirs or
receptacles which are closed in with the exception of slots to receive the stalks or
stems of the flowers or leaves, and which are so arranged that the said flowers
or leaves can be formed into various devices for table, church or other decoration
or for exhibition, for sale or other purposes.
The said stand or holder may be made of any desired shape and size and in one
or more parts, and it may be formed of metal or other suitable material.
I preferably provide in the upper part of each reservoir or receptacle, opposite
the slot or slots, a bar or a rack formed with recesses or indentations in its lower
edge registering with the said slots, to engage with the stalks or stems and retain
the flowers or leaves in a nearly upright position or at a suitable inclination to
prevent their falling out of the said slots, and to prevent their acting as siphons to
draw the water out of the said reservoirs or receptacles.
By constructing the flower-stand or holder in the manner above mentioned, I am
enabled to prevent loss of water by evaporation and also contamination of the
water by dust and other matter floating in the air, since, when the stems are
inserted in the slots, the water is completely covered in. By arranging the said
slots at suitable distances apart, I am further enabled to keep the flowers out of
contact with each other so that they will not be crushed or bruised by those
immediately adjacent to them, thus in some degree reproducing the conditions
under which they are grown; and it is well known that flowers will keep much
longer singly than when tied up in a bunch aud thereby confined and crushed, as
for instance when squeezed into an épergne. Moreover since the flowers or the
like, in my stand or holder, are maintained in an upright or approximately upright
position they do not siphon out the water.
In making a flower-stand or holder according to my said invention, I find it
advantageous to form the same of sheet-metal, such for instance as zinc, by first
stamping or otherwise cutting the metal as required and then building it up in any
convenient manner with the reservoirs one above another in the shape of a cone,
or a pyramid, or in any other suitable shape. The separate reservoirs or receptacles
are formed by discs or diaphragins secured at suitable distances apart, in the cone,
Pyramid or the like, in such a manner that the slots or apertures are disposed in
the upper parts of the said reservoirs or receptacles. If desired a reservoir or
receptacle is provided at the apex of the cone or pyramid, having a central funnel-
shaped opening into which flowers or the like may be inserted to form a finial or
crown; or curved or bent wires or the like are inserted in the said opening, having
suspended from their outer ends cups or other reservoirs to receive Howers or the
like. The said cone or pyramid is sometimes, made with a rim or the like at its
base whereby it may be secured on a stand, dish or other support. This stand,
dish or other support is, if desired, also constructed with reservoirs and slots to.
receive flowers or the like. In this arrangement, the above mentioned bars or racks

page_text: preferably take the form of recessed rings secured to the under side of the discs or
diaphragms or fixed in any other convenient manner.
It is obvious that the said reservoirs or receptacles may be arranged in an
almost endless variety of forms, and the outer surfaces of the stand or holder may
be embossed, painted or otherwise ornamented to suit individual taste.
My improved flower-holder is sometimes made in the form of one-half of a cone
or pyramid divided by a plane passing through its axis, so that the said holder
may rest closely against a wall or other flat surface. Or the said holder is made
in the form of two whole or half cones or pyramide arranged base to base; or it is
made of aumular or crescent form to wholly or partly surround pillars or columns
or the like, or in the form of a stand having a flat or curved inclined front. Or
the said holder is so made that it can be conveniently supported in an inclined
position like a painter's easel, or otherwise, for the display of bouquets or ent-
Howers for florists or for exhibition purposes. Or it is made in the form of a
basket, or other device, to rest upon a table or other support, or to be suspended
in any convenient manner. The said holder may be made with any desired
number of the said slotted reservoirs or receptacles according to the purpose for
which it is required.
To florists and other exhibitors of flowers, these holders will be particularly
valuable, as, by this means, the distinctive points of any speciality may be brought
into prominence, and scope afforded for exhibiting the graceful art of richly
blending colors.
In order to fill the said holders, they may be placed under a flowing tap, or
water may he poured into them from a jug or other vessel, with or without a
filler, when they at once become filled, the water running over from one reservoir
into the next reservoir beneath it and so on. To empty the reservoirs, it is simply
necessary to turn the holder upside down, when every reservoir immediately
becomes completely emptied.
My improved stand or holder is better and cheaper than those heretofore used
for like purposes, and in point of economy will save half the quantity of flowers.
In the shape of wall-pockets, suspended ornaments, inclined stands and the like,
my stands or holders are well adapted for use at bazaars and other festivals, for
presents, or for family use.
Dated the 23rd day of June 1894
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
CATION.
Improvements in and relating to Stands or Holders for Bouquets,
Cut-flowers, and the like.
I, JOHN FEAVER, of Long Walk, Bermondsey Square, in the County of
Surrey, Iron and Tinware Manufacturer, do declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention is designed to provide improved means for holding bouquets,
cut-flowers, foliage and the like whilst preserving or retaining unimpaired for a
comparatively long period of time the original freshness and beauty of the same.
My improved stand or holder is made with tier upon tier of water-reservoirs or
receptacles which are closed-in with the exception of small apertures or slots to
eceive the stalks or stems of the flowers or leaves, and which are so arranged
that the said flowers or leaves can be formed into various devices for table, church
or other decoration or for exhibition, for sale or other purposes.
Each reservoir or receptacle is provided with means for holding the stalks or

page_text: stems of the flowers or leaves down so as to keep them below the level of the
water and to retain the flowers or leaves in a nearly upright position or at a
suitable inclination to prevent their falling out of the said slots, and to prevent
their acting as siphons to draw the water out of said reservoirs or receptacles.
By constructing the flower-stand or holder in the manner above mentioned, I am
enabled to prevent loss of water by evaporation and also contamination of the
water by dust and other floating matter since, when the stems are inserted in
the slots, the water is completely covered in. By arranging the said slots at
suitable distances apart, I am further enabled to keep the flowers at the required
distance apart and not in contact with each other so that they will not be
crushed or bruised by those immediately adjacent to them, thus in some degree
reproducing the conditions under which they are grown; and it is well known that
flowers will keep much longer singly than when tied up in a bunch and thereby
coufined and crushed, as for instance when squeezed into an épergne.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, showing one form of my improved flower-holder
mounted on a suitable support or stand.
Figure 2 is a vertical central section of the said flower-holder.
Figure 3 is a similar view showing the said support or stand.
Figure 4 is a vertical central section showing another form or modification of my
improved apparatus.
Figure 5 is a side elevation, and,
Figure 6 a horizontal section on the line a, r, Figure 5, showing another form or
modification of my improved flower-holder.
Figure 7 is a side elevation, and
Figure 8 a horizontal section on the line e', e', Figure 7, showing another
modification of my invention.
Figure 9 is a transverse section, and
Figure 10 a horizontal section on the line, ², Figure 9, showing a further
modification of my invention.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, and
Figure 12 a transverse section illustrating a still further modification of my
invention.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
a is the body of the holder which also serves as the outer wall of the several
reservoirs. The said body in the arrangement shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is
formed of sheet metal such for instance as zinc, by first stamping therein the
necessary rows of elongated apertures or slots e for the insertion of the flowers or
the like and otherwise cutting the metal as required and then building it up in any
convenient manner; the reservoirs being formed one above another by securing
discs or diaphragms dat suitable distances apart, in the cone or body a, so that the
said apertures or slots e are disposed in the upper parts of the said reservoir. To
the underside of each of the discs or diaphragms d is secured a ring or annular
piece the lower edge of which is so situated relatively to the apertures or slots c
that the stalk or stem of a flower or leaf inserted in either of the said apertures
or slots will be held down in the water by the corresponding ring or annular piece i.
The body is provided with loops / to facilitate the hanging or suspension of the
holder when desired.
"
e is a reservoir or receptacle which is provided if desired, at the apex of the
cone or body a and which has moreover a central funnel-shaped opening e' into
which flowers or the like may be inserted to form a finial or crown.
If desired, curved or bent wires or the like can be inserted in the said opening, e',
the said wires having suspended from their outer ends cups or other reservoirs to
receive flowers or the like.
The cone or body a is made with a recess in its base and is fitted upon a
projection or flange g' on a stand g. The projection or flange g' of the stand

page_text: shown in Figures 1 and 3 is preferably made with apertures or slots to receive
the stems or stalks of flowers or leaves, the upper part of the stand being made
in the form of a shallow dish or tray to hold water for preserving such flowers or
leaves.
The space enclosed or surrounded by the said projection or flange is, moreover,
covered in by a fixed or removable perforated plate 2 so that, when the cone a is
lifted off the stand, the stems or stalks of other flowers or leaves may be inserted
in the perforations in the said plate. The stand and holder cau, in this case, be
used either separately or in conjunction with each other.
I find it advantageous to make the stand y with a rotary top or tray so that the
said tray together with the flower-holder supported there can be turned about its
axis to view the flowers on all sides of the holder without turning the base of the
stam. The lower part or base of the stand g is, if desired, also constructed with
one or more reservoirs provided with slots like those above described to receive
flowers or the like.
It is evident that the top or tray of the stand can, if desired, be made with a
simple projection or flange to receive the cone or body a.
In Figure 4 I have shown a somewhat similar arrangement in which the body a
of the holder is formed with steps a' the apertures or slots e for receiving the
flowers or the like being formed in the upper inclined surfaces of the said steps.
This modification of my flower-holder as well as the modification thereof above
described may be either of conical, pyramidal or other suitable shape.
In Figures 5 and 6 I have shown a flower-holder the body a of which is in the
form of a polygonal pyramid, the diaphragmns d and the holding-down pieces being
of corresponding hexagonal form,
It is obvious that the said reservoirs or receptacles may be arranged in an almost
endless variety of forms, and the outer surfaces of the stand or holder may be
embossed, electro-plated, painted or otherwise ornamented to suit individual taste.
My improved flower-holder is sometimes made in the form of one-half of a come
or pyramid divided by a plane passing through its axis, so that the said holder may
rest closely against a wall or other flat surface.
I have shown a holder of this kind in Figures 7 and 8 which consists of two
half-cones joined base to base, the lower cone being truncated or rounded-off at its
lower end so that the holder in some mensure represents one-half of a pear divided
longitudinally. In this ense the walls of the reservoirs are completed by a back
piece or plate & the upper end of which is provided with a loop I whereby the said
holder may be suspended from a unit or secured in any suitable manner to a wall or
other surface. Or the said holder may be made in the form of two whole cones or
pyramids arranged base to base.
In Figures 9 and 10 I have shown a segment of an annular flower-holder which
is made to wholly or partly surround a pillar or columu or the like, these segments
being provided with lugs whereby they may be secured together or to the column
or the like round which they are to be arranged. In some cases moreover, I make
the said flower-holders crescent-shaped or in the form of a stand having a flat or
curved inclined front.
Figures 11 and 12 show another form of my improved holder which is provided
with a foot in so that it can be conveniently supported in an inclined position like
a painter's easel, or otherwise, for the display of bouquets or cut-flowers for florists
or for exhibition purposes. Or it is made in the form of a basket, or other device,
to rest upon a table or other support or to be suspended in any convenient manner.
The said holder may be made with any desired number of the said slotted
reservoirs or receptacles according to the purpose for which it is required.
To florists and other exhibitors of flowers, these holders will be particularly
valuable, as, by this means, the distinctive points of any speciality may be brought
into prominence, and scope afforded for exhibiting the graceful art of blending
colours.
In order to fill the said holders, they may be placed under a flowing tap, or

page_text: water may be poured into them from a jug or other vessel, with or without a filler.
when they at once become filled, the water running over from one reservoir into
the next reservoir beneath it and so on. To empty the reservoirs, it is simply
necessary to turn the holder upside down, when every reservoir immediately
becomes completely emptied.
My improved stand or holder is better and cheaper than those heretofore used
for like purposes, and in point of economy will save half the quantity of flowers.
In the shape of wall-pockets, suspended ornaments, inclined stands or the like,
my stands or holders are well adapted for use at bazaars and other festivals, for
presents or for family use.
The said stand or holder may be made of any desired shape and size and in one
or more parts, and it may be formed of metal or other suitable material.
It is evident that either of the forms of my flower-holder can also be used for
holding artificial flowers, without water, for decorative or other purposes, the
holding down pieces retaining the flowers in the proper position and preventing
their falling out.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
clain is-
First. A holder for bouquets, cut-flowers or the like, comprising a series of
reservoirs arranged in tiers one above another and provided with means for
supporting the flowers or the like in an inclined position therein, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Second. A flower-holder consisting of one or more closed-in reservoirs having
apertures or slots at or near the top thereof for the insertion of the flowers or the
like and provided with suitable means for holding down the stalks or stems,
substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Third. A flower-holder consisting of a conical or other suitably shaped hollow
body divided by plates or diaphragms into reservoirs, each of which reservoirs is
provided with small apertures or slots at or near the top thereof for the insertion
of the flowers or the like, and with suitable means for holding down the stalks or
stems, for the purposes above specified.
Fourth. The improved flower-holder constructed substantially as described with
reference to either of the forms or modifications shown in the accompanying
drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. The improved stand constructed with a fixed or a rotary tray having a
suitable projection or flange to receive the flower-holder, with or without the
perforated plate covering the space enclosed or surrounded by the said projection
or flange substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 and 3 of the
drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1901
LATYY
T'S
JOHN FEAVER
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.