Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a kit for assembling a floral arrangement. More particularly, the present invention relates to a kit including non-floral components for producing a customized shaped floral arrangement. 
         [0002]    Creating a customized floral arrangement from individual flowers presents a challenge for the average user and even for some experienced florists. The challenge is even greater when the user tries to create a customized shaped floral arrangement. The user generally ends up with an unpleasant looking shaped floral arrangement. 
         [0003]    As can be seen, there is a need for a device for assembling a shaped floral arrangement which is easy to use and provides some design details to the user to obtain an attractive floral arrangement. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the present invention, a kit for creating a floral arrangement includes a substrate having a sculpted shape, a base connected to the substrate, at least one non-floral component secured to the substrate, the substrate may be adapted to receive flowers to create the floral arrangement. 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the present invention, a floral arrangement includes a substrate having a sculpted shape, a base connected to the bottom end of the substrate, at least one non-floral component attached to the substrate, and a plurality of flowers secured to the substrate. 
         [0006]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective detailed front view of non-floral components of a kit for a shaped floral arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective front view of the non-floral components of  FIG. 1  in an assemble position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective front view of a shaped floral arrangement created by using the non-floral components of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective front view of another shaped floral arrangement created by using non-floral components according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0012]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0013]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a kit including non-floral components necessary for producing a customized shaped floral arrangement. 
         [0014]    The term “shaped floral arrangement” used herein means a product obtained by using a substrate on which a specific shape has been sculpted. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1-2  illustrate components for a kit  10  to create a shaped floral arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The kit  10  may include a substrate  12  having a sculpted shape. A base  14  may be connected to the bottom of the substrate  12 . A plurality of non-floral components  16 ,  18  may be connected to the substrate  12 . 
         [0016]    The substrate  12  may be made of floral foam. The substrate  12  may be sculpted to produce a predetermined shape. The manufacturer may sculpt the substrate  12  by using any standard method of shaping foam. In some embodiments, the substrate  12  may be sculpted by using a sculpturing knife, by machinery, or by molding. The size of the substrate  12  may depend on the predetermined shape of the substrate  12 . In some embodiments, the substrate  12  may be about 6 inches to 4 feet in height and length. In some embodiments, the substrate  12  may be less than 3 feet in height or length. 
         [0017]    A silicone layer (not shown) may be optionally placed at the bottom of the substrate  12  when the height of the substrate  12  may be above 6 inches. 
         [0018]    The non-floral components  16 ,  18  may be selected depending on the predetermined shape of the substrate  12 . The non-floral components  16 ,  18  may help create the overall impression of the predetermined shape of the substrate  12 , thus complementing the shape of the substrate  12 . Certain non-floral components  16 ,  18  may need to be stuck directly into the substrate  12 . Another non-floral component  16 ,  18  may be simply placed on or around the floral arrangement. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the substrate  12  may have a shape selected from a vehicle, a truck, a motorcycle, a van, a fire truck, a train, a boat, a camper, a bulldozer, a lawnmower, a hammer, an animal, a bird, a fish, a dolphin, an elephant, a reptile, a dinosaur, a baseball bat, a ball, a tennis racket, a golf bag, a hockey stick/puck, a bowling ball/pin, playing cards/blackjack/royal flush, dice, dominoes, slot machine, roulette wheel, skies/snowboard, shoes, sandals, boots, cowboy boots, sleepers, tennis shoes, sports jersey, T-shirt, polo shirt, sports caps, cowboy hats, cigar, martini glass, margarita glasses, graduation caps, computer/laptops, cakes, hot air balloons, hair dryer/scissors, shotguns/pistols, fishing poles, pool sticks and ball, rainbow, police badge, police hat/baton, fireman hat, mailbox, doctor bag/stethoscopes, teeth, numbers, letters, guitars, chains, leprechauns, hats, flags, pumpkins, turkeys, Santa Claus, or holiday motif 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the non-floral components may be selected from at least one of tires, windows, bumpers, fuel tanks, chrome stacks, cabs, chassis, fenders, handlebars, wheels, front push grills, stacks, bow rails, mast, sails, rear steering rudders, windshields, swim platforms with ladder, doors, windows, bumpers, camp fires, front buckets, diggers, tracks, blades, digger arms with bucket, roll bars, lights, hammers, claws, nails, heads, eyes, ears, tongues, paws, tails, beak ears, manes, horns, snouts, hooves, hoofs, noses, feet, fins trunks, tongues, laces, end caps for bat, racket squares, base, clubs, bag zippers, straps, handles, puck emblems ball holes, pin rings, numbers, letters, dots, handles, spinning wheels/balls, stitches, spurs, emblems, logos, feathers, bands, tassels, cigars, end caps, olives, cherries, computer screens, computer keyboards, decals, basket, strings, electrical cords, triggers, grips, eyelets, reel stars, shields, mailbox doors, mailbox flags, stethoscope tubes, strings, tension screws, drum tops, drum bottoms, drum sticks, valve tuners, chains, cuffs, buckle, leafs, stars, stems, mouths, beard, or boots. 
         [0021]    The base  14  may be connected to the bottom side of the substrate  12  to provide the substrate  12  with stability. The substrate  12 , the base  14 , and the non-floral components  16 ,  18  may be packed together to create the kit  10 . The kit  10  may include all of the necessary components to create the shaped floral arrangement. Each kit  10  may be ready to go as soon as all of the components are out of the package. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a shaped floral arrangement created by using non-floral components representative of a golf club bag. In this embodiment, component  16  represents a strap for a golf club bag and component  18  represents the golf clubs. The user may add fresh or artificial flowers  20  to complete the floral arrangement. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a floral arrangement  22  created by using non-floral components according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the floral arrangement  22  may have the shape of a turkey. The non-floral components  24  may represent the tail, wings, and/or head of the turkey. The user may add fresh or artificial flowers  26  to complete the floral arrangement. 
         [0024]    The user may select and order the desired kit  10  from the manufacturer by using a catalog or by going to a website. The manufacturer may sculpture the substrate based on the user&#39;s specifications. The manufacturer may pack all of the kits  10  to the user. The user may water the substrate  12 . Then the flowers  20 ,  26  may be secured to the substrate  12 . Finally, the user may apply the non-floral components  16 ,  18 ,  24  to the specific place on the substrate  12 . 
         [0025]    The kit  10  may provide the user with an easy way of personalizing the flower arrangements. In addition, the kit  10  may allow the user to add a personal touch to a floral arrangement. 
         [0026]    The kit  10  may include non-floral components  16 ,  18 ,  24  that may be edible ingredients. The edible ingredients may be dried fruits, candies, chocolates, or lollipops. 
         [0027]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Technology Category: 1