Fresh flower bouquet system

Abstract

The fresh flower bouquet system provides cost-effective production of fresh floral bouquets, forming bouquets with symmetrical spacing of individual stems and maintaining the flowers in water and a cut flower hydrating solution without the use of floral foam. The system includes a plastic or metal cap having a grid of holes defined therein, a plastic or glass vase or other container, and a tie-down system, e.g., an elastic or rubber band wrapped around the stems, for bundling the stems together in the container below the cap. When the closure or cap is snapped or threaded on to the container, a secured, self-contained floral bouquet having maximum shelf life because of continuous hydration is formed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 595,041, filed May 31, 2005.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to flower arranging systems, and more particularly to systems for arranging a bouquet of flowers in a vase. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] There have been many attempts to provide mechanical assistance to aid in the creation of floral arrangements for distribution and display. One such system employs the use of open cell foam, i.e., floral foam. The problem with floral foam is that it is bulky and must be cut to size. [0006] In addition, foam is hard to store and not cost-effective due to the intensity of labor involved in its use. Moreover, floral foam becomes damaged with use, and is generally thrown away when the floral arrangement dies. Thus, if a florist or consumer wishes to recreate the arrangement, he or...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The fresh flower bouquet system provides cost-effective production of fresh floral bouquets, forming bouquets with symmetrical spacing of individual stems and maintaining the flowers in water and a cut flower hydrating solution without the use of floral foam. The system includes a plastic or metal cap having a grid of holes defined therein, a plastic or glass vase or other container, and a tie-down system, e.g., an elastic or rubber band wrapped around the stems, for bundling the stems together in the container below the cap. When the closure or cap is snapped or threaded on to the container, a secured, self-contained floral bouquet having maximum shelf life because of continuous hydration is formed.

[0011] The cap may be twisted or rotated for removal to add water or nutrients without disturbing the design of the arrangement, or for removal of the flowers, without spillage or damage to the flowers, since the stems rotate uniformly with the cap. The stems may be further protected from damage by forming the portion of the cap defining the grid from plastic or soft metal without sharp edges to avoid cutting the stems when rotating the cap. Consumers enjoy maximum convenience because the present invention provides for the arranging, cutting, and hydration of the bouquet.

Problems solved by technology

The problem with floral foam is that it is bulky and must be cut to size.

In addition, foam is hard to store and not cost-effective due to the intensity of labor involved in its use.

Moreover, floral foam becomes damaged with use, and is generally thrown away when the floral arrangement dies.

This procedure is commercially unacceptable for a modern and efficient florist operation.

While such caps do keep the flowers separated and arranged in a desired pattern, caps with clamps are expensive and cumbersome, while snap-on, friction fit, and elastic lids can be difficult to remove, and may occasionally become stuck, causing spillage and damage to the flower arrangement.

Twist-on caps are more convenient, economical, and easier to use, but are not provided with a grid pattern for separating flowers, probably because of the risk of damage to the stems of the flowers from the twisting motion, as well as the materials used in making the caps, which may be sharp enough to cut the stems.

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