US20040025430A1 - Flexible vase - Google Patents
Flexible vase Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040025430A1 US20040025430A1 US10/443,270 US44327003A US2004025430A1 US 20040025430 A1 US20040025430 A1 US 20040025430A1 US 44327003 A US44327003 A US 44327003A US 2004025430 A1 US2004025430 A1 US 2004025430A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- support member
- shape
- sustaining support
- end portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G5/00—Floral handling
- A01G5/04—Mountings for wreaths, or the like; Racks or holders for flowers
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G7/00—Flower holders or the like
- A47G7/02—Devices for supporting flower-pots or cut flowers
- A47G7/06—Flower vases
- A47G7/063—Flower vases foldable
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G7/00—Flower holders or the like
- A47G7/02—Devices for supporting flower-pots or cut flowers
- A47G7/08—Covers for flower-pots, e.g. ornamental pots
- A47G7/085—Covers for flower-pots, e.g. ornamental pots made of flexible sheets of non-resilient material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/02—Packaging agricultural or horticultural products
- B65B25/023—Packaging flower bouquets
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D65/00—Wrappers or flexible covers; Packaging materials of special type or form
- B65D65/02—Wrappers or flexible covers
- B65D65/14—Wrappers or flexible covers with areas coated with adhesive
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/50—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage
- B65D85/505—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage for cut flowers
Abstract
A decorative assembly having a shape-sustaining support member and a decorative cover. The shape-sustaining support member defines an internal chamber and has a plurality of pleats extending from an open upper end and terminating a distance from an open lower end thereof. The shape-sustaining support member is constructed of a semi-circular sheet of flexible material having a plurality of score lines extending radially from a centrally disposed recess. When the sheet of flexible material is formed into the shape-sustaining support member, the score lines assist the formation of the pleats. The decorative cover is formed from a sheet of fluid impermeable material disposed about the shape-sustaining support member. The decorative cover cooperates with the internal chamber of the shape-sustaining support member to define a reservoir for confining liquid when the decorative cover is disposed about the shape-sustaining support member.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/353,878, filed Jan. 28, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/170,611, filed Jun. 12, 2002 which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/918,320, filed Jul. 30, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,612, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/576,789, filed May 23, 2000, now abandoned, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 09/333,333, filed Jun. 15, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,045, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 08/827,852, filed Apr. 11, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,576, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/468,178, filed Jun. 6, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,189; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/427,014, filed Apr. 24, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,059; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 07/941,992, filed Sep. 8, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,856.
- Not Applicable.
- The present invention relates generally to decorative assemblies for floral groupings and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a sheet of material disposed about a floral holding material with a crimped portion formed in the sheet of material for cooperating to hold the sheet of material in position about the floral holding material to provide a decorative covering.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sheet of material constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the sheet of material extended about a portion of a floral holding material with a crimped portion being formed in the sheet of material for cooperating to hold the sheet of material in the position extended about a floral grouping to provide a decorative covering in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a modified floral holding material showing the sheet of material of FIG. 1 wrapped about the modified floral holding material to provide a decorative covering.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another modified floral holding material.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the modified floral holding material of FIG. 4 showing the sheet of material disposed about a portion of the modified floral holding material with the crimped portion being formed in a portion of the sheet of material.
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of a modified sheet of material.
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a floral holding material with the sheet of material of FIG. 6 disposed about a portion of the floral holding material and a modified crimped portion being formed in a portion of the sheet of material.
- FIG. 8 is a plan view of still another modified sheet of material.
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a floral holding material showing the sheet of material of FIG. 8 disposed about a portion of the floral holding material with the crimped portion being formed in the sheet of material in a manner like that shown in FIG. 7.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a floral holding material having a sheet of fluid impermeable material disposed thereabout to provide a flexible vase in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a plan view of the sheet of fluid impermeable material before being disposed about the floral holding material to provide the flexible vase of FIG. 10.
- FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway, perspective view of the floral holding material of the flexible vase of FIG. 10.
- FIG. 13 is a plan view of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 12.
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a floral holding material having a sheet of fluid impermeable material disposed thereabout to provide a flexible vase in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the floral holding material of the flexible vase of FIG. 14.
- FIG. 16 is a plan view of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 15.
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the floral holding material of FIG. 15 having a base member disposed adjacent an open lower end of the floral holding material.
- FIG. 18 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the floral holding material of FIG. 15 having another embodiment of a base member disposed adjacent an open lower end of the floral holding material.
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a floral holding material which, when wrapped with a sheet of material provide a flexible vase similar in appearance to the flexible vase of FIG. 14.
- FIG. 20 is a plan view of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 19.
- FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 19.
- FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a floral holding material having a plurality of slots formed about an open upper end of the floral holding material.
- FIG. 23 is a plan view of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 22.
- FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a floral holding material which, when wrapped with a sheet of material, provides a flexible vase in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 25 is a plan view of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 24 having one edge thereof turned up to show a lower side thereof.
- FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a floral holding material which, when wrapped with a sheet of material, provides a flexible vase in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 27 is a plan view of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 26 having one edge thereof turned up to show a lower side thereof.
- FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a floral holding material which, when wrapped with a sheet of material, provides a flexible vase in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 29 is a plan view of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 28.
- FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a floral holding material which, when wrapped with a sheet of material, provides a flexible vase in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 31 is a plan view of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 30.
- FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the floral holding material of FIG. 30 in a partially assembled condition.
- FIG. 33 is a partial cutaway, perspective view of another embodiment of a floral holding material having a decorative cover disposed thereabout, the decorative cover secured about the floral holding material by a securing element to provide a flexible vase in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 34 is a plan view of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 33.
- FIG. 35 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a floral holding material constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 36 is a plan view of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 35.
- FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a preformed floral holding material constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 37 wherein a connector assembly has reduced the size of the circumference of the preformed floral holding material.
- FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a preformed floral holding material in an expanded condition having an elastic member for maintaining the preformed floral holding material in the expanded condition.
- FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 39 in a flattened condition for storage and transportation.
- FIG. 41 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a preformed floral holding material in an expanded condition having a strap assembly for maintaining the preformed floral holding material in the expanded condition.
- FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 41 in a flattened condition for storage and transportation.
- FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 41 having another embodiment of a strap assembly for maintaining the preformed floral holding material in an expanded condition.
- FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 43 in a flattened condition for storage and transportation.
- FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a preformed floral holding material having a plurality of ring members for maintaining the preformed floral holding material in an expanded condition.
- FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 45 in a flattened condition for storage and transportation.
- FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a preformed floral holding material having a tab assembly for maintaining the preformed floral holding material in an expanded condition.
- FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 47 in a flattened condition for storage and transportation.
- FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a preformed floral holding material having an elastic member disposed about a peripheral sidewall for maintaining the preformed floral holding material in an expanded condition.
- FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 49 in a flattened condition for storage and transportation and having the elastic member removed therefrom.
- FIG. 51 is a perspective view of a preformed floral holding material having another embodiment of an assembly for maintaining the preformed floral holding material in an expanded condition.
- FIG. 52 is a perspective view of a preformed floral holding material in an expanded condition wherein the preformed floral holding material is formed of a resilient material.
- FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 52 in a flattened condition for storage and transportation.
- FIG. 54 is a perspective view of a preformed floral holding material having another embodiment of a tab assembly for maintaining the preformed floral holding material in an expanded condition.
- FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 54 in a flattened condition for storage and transportation.
- FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a preformed floral holding material having yet another embodiment of a tab assembly for maintaining the preformed floral holding material in an expanded condition.
- FIG. 57 is a perspective view illustrating one side of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 56 when the preformed floral holding material is in a flattened condition for storage and transportation.
- FIG. 58 is a perspective view illustrating a second side of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 56 when the preformed floral holding material is in a flattened condition for storage and transportation.
- FIG. 59 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a preformed floral holding material constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 60 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 59 having an upper portion removed therefrom to reduce the height of the preformed floral holding material.
- FIG. 61 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a preformed floral holding material constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 62 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 61 showing a floral grouping disposed therein.
- FIG. 63 is a perspective view of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 61 showing a floral grouping disposed therein and having an elastic band disposed about the floral grouping.
- FIG. 64 is a perspective view of a dispenser containing a plurality of the preformed floral holding material of FIG. 61.
- FIG. 65 is a fragmental, perspective view of another embodiment of a preformed floral holding material constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 66 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a flexible vase constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 67 is a plan view of a sheet of fluid impermeable material having a sheet of flexible material secured thereto for forming the flexible vase of FIG. 66.
- FIG. 68 is a plan view of a sheet of fluid impermeable material having a sheet of flexible material secured thereto for forming the flexible vase of FIG. 66.
- FIG. 69 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a flexible vase constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 70 is a plan view of a sheet of fluid impermeable material having a shape-sustaining support member secured thereto in a flattened condition for forming the flexible vase of FIG. 69.
- FIG. 71 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a flexible vase constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 72 is a plan view of a sheet of fluid impermeable material having a shape-sustaining support member secured thereto in a flattened condition for forming the flexible vase of FIG. 71.
- FIG. 73 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a flexible vase constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 74 is a plan view of a sheet of fluid impermeable material having a shape-sustaining support member secured thereto in a flattened condition for forming the flexible vase of FIG. 73.
- FIG. 75 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a flexible vase constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 76 is a perspective view of a shape-sustaining support member having a flexible bag disposed therein which, when wrapped with a sheet of material provides the flexible vase of FIG. 75.
- FIG. 77 is a perspective view of a sheet of flexible material for forming the shape-sustaining support member of FIG. 76, the sheet of flexible material having the flexible bag connected thereto.
- FIG. 78 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a vase constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 79 is a cross-sectional view of a self-erecting floral holding container in a collapsed condition disposed on a sheet of fluid impermeable material, the self-erecting floral holding container and the sheet of fluid impermeable material cooperating to form the vase of FIG. 78 when the self-erecting floral holding container is in the erected position.
- FIG. 80 is a plan view of the self-erecting floral holding container in a collapsed condition disposed on the sheet of fluid impermeable material.
- FIG. 81 is a perspective view of a shape-sustaining support member disposed in a flexible bag-which, when wrapped with a sheet of material, provides a flexible vase in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 82 is a perspective view of a sheet of flexible material disposed in a flexible bag which, when assembled, provides the shape-sustaining support member disposed in the bag of FIG. 81.
- FIG. 83 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a floral holding material which, when wrapped with a sheet of material, provides a flexible vase in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 84 is a plan view of a sheet of flexible material used to form the floral holding material of FIG. 83.
- Shown in FIG. 1 and designated by the
general reference numeral 10 is a sheet of material constructed in accordance with the present invention. The sheet ofmaterial 10 has anupper surface 12, alower surface 14 and anouter edge 16. - The sheet of
material 10 is constructed from any suitable flexible material that is capable of being wrapped or extended about afloral holding material 18. (FIG. 2) in the manner described below. Preferably, the sheet ofmaterial 10 is constructed of a material selected from a group of materials consisting of paper, metal foil, cloth (natural or synthetic or combinations thereof), denim, burlap, polymer film or cling material or combinations thereof. - The term “polymer film” as used herein means any polymer film. For example, but not by way of limitation, one polymer film is a polypropylene film. Another example of a polymer film, but not by way of limitation, is cellophane.
- The sheet of
material 10 has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. Preferably, the sheet ofmaterial 10 has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 5 mils. - The sheet of
material 10 may be any shape and a circular shape is shown in FIG. 1 only by way of example. The sheet ofmaterial 10, for example only, may be square or rectangular or any other geometric shape such as heart shaped. - The sheet of
material 10 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of materials. Any thickness of the sheet ofmaterial 10 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet ofmaterial 10 is wrappable about the floral holdingmaterial 18, as described herein. Additionally, an insulating material such as bubble film, preferably as one of two or more layers, can be utilized in order to provide additional protection for the item wrapped therein. The layers of material comprising the sheet ofmaterial 10 may be connected together or laminated or may be separate layers. - A decorative pattern, such as a color and/or an embossed pattern, and/or other decorative surface ornamentation may be applied to the
upper surface 12 and/or thelower surface 14 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 or portions thereof including, but not limited to, printed designs, coatings, colors, flocking or metallic finishes. The sheet ofmaterial 10 also may be totally or partially clear or tinted transparent material. - “Cling wrap or material” as used herein means any material which is capable of connecting to the sheet of material and/or itself upon contacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappable about an item whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engage and connect to other portions of the wrapping material for generally securing the sheet of material wrapped about at least a portion of the item. This connecting engagement is preferably temporary in that the wrapping material may be easily removed without tearing same, i.e., the cling material “clings” to the wrapping material which remains securely connected to and about the wrapped item until the wrapping material is removed therefrom.
- The cling material is constructed and treated, if necessary, from polyethylene, such as Cling Wrap made by Glad®, First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Conn. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, depend upon the thickness of the sheet of material utilized, i.e., generally, the thicker and therefore heavier sheet of material may require a thicker and therefore stronger cling material. The cling material will range in thickness from less than about 0.2 mil to about 10 mils, and preferably less than about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils and most preferably from less than about 0.6 mil to about 2 mils. However, any thickness of cling material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention which permits the cling material to function as described herein.
- As shown in FIG. 2, the floral holding
material 18 has anupper end 20, alower end 22 and an outerperipheral surface 24. Thefloral holding material 18 shown in FIG. 2 is spherically shaped, although the floral holdingmaterial 18 may be any shape desired in any particular application. Thefloral holding material 18 is constructed of a material capable of receiving a portion of afloral grouping 26 and holding or supporting the floral grouping without any pot means, such as a separate flower pot, for example. - The floral holding means18 may be the type of material commonly referred to in the art as floral foam or Oasis™, or may be soil, or artificial soil or other earth composition so long as the material is capable of holding its predetermined shape and capable of receiving and supporting the
floral grouping 26 without any additional pot means. Thefloral holding material 18 may be capable of receiving and holding water for supplying water to thefloral grouping 26. - As shown in FIG. 2, the
floral grouping 26 has astem end 28 and abloom end 30. A portion of the stem end 28 of thefloral grouping 26 is extended into the floral holdingmaterial 18. Thebloom end 30 of thefloral grouping 26 extends a distance above the floral holdingmaterial 18. - “Floral grouping” as used herein means cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower, other fresh and/or artificial plants, or other floral materials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation which add to the aesthetics of the overall floral grouping.
- As mentioned before, the floral holding
material 18, as shown in FIG. 2, is generally spherically shaped. A flat portion (not shown) may be formed on thelower end 22 of the floral holdingmaterial 18 so that the floral holdingmaterial 18 may be supported more easily on a flat surface such as on a table (not shown) for example. - The sheet of
material 10 is disposed adjacent the floral holdingmaterial 18 with theupper surface 12 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 being disposed adjacent the outerperipheral surface 24 of the floral holdingmaterial 18. In this position, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet ofmaterial 10 is extended about and covers a substantial portion of the floral holdingmaterial 18 leaving theupper end 20 of the floral holdingmaterial 18 substantially uncovered so that thefloral grouping 26 extends outwardly from theupper end 20 of the floral holdingmaterial 18. - In this position, a crimped
portion 32 is formed in the sheet ofmaterial 10 near theupper end 20 of the floral holdingmaterial 18. The crimpedportion 32 is formed by crimping together portions of the sheet ofmaterial 10 to form the crimpedportion 32. The crimpedportion 32 extends a distance inwardly toward a central portion of the floral holdingmaterial 18. The crimpedportion 32 preferably extends circumferentially about theupper end 20 of the floral holdingmaterial 18, although the crimpedportion 32 could be formed only in portions of the sheet ofmaterial 10 thereby forming circumferentially spaced apart crimpedportions 32 if desired in a particular application. - As shown in FIG. 2, the crimped
portion 32 is formed by placing aband 34 about a portion of the sheet ofmaterial 10 with theband 34 gathering or bringing together portions of the sheet ofmaterial 10 pulling portions of the sheet ofmaterial 10 toward a central portion of theupper end 20 of the floral holdingmaterial 18 to form the crimpedportion 32. - The term “band” as used herein means any material which may be secured about an object, such bands commonly being referred to as elastic bands or rubber bands and also includes any other type of material such as a string or elastic piece of material, non-elastic piece of material, a round piece of material, a flat piece of material, a ribbon, a piece of paper strip, a piece of plastic strip, a piece of wire, a tie wrap or a twist tie or combinations thereof or any other device capable of gathering the sheet of
material 10 to removably or substantially permanently form the crimpedportion 32 and secure the crimpedportion 32 formed in the sheet ofmaterial 10. Theband 34 also may include a bow if desired in a particular application. - A portion of the sheet of
material 10 near theouter edge 16 thereof extends a distance above and beyond the crimpedportion 32 to form a skirt 36 (FIG. 2) extending circumferentially about theupper end 20 of the floral holdingmaterial 18 and circumferentially about thefloral grouping 26. The sheet ofmaterial 10 secured about the floral holdingmaterial 18 in the manner just described provides adecorative covering 38. The sheet ofmaterial 10 and the floral holdingmaterial 18 together with the means (e.g. band 34) for forming the crimpedportion 32 comprise adecorative assembly 40. - In one preferred embodiment, the
band 34 is automatically placed about the sheet ofmaterial 10 using any one of a number of commercially available automatic or semi automatic banding machines such as the automatic shaping machine Model No.Power 260 available from Clements Industries, Inc., South Hackensack, N.J., or the machine Model No. Model BMNS Side Bender available from Saxmayer Corporation, Blissfield, Minn. (MN), for example. In this last mentioned embodiment, the floral holdingmaterial 18 with the sheet ofmaterial 10 extended thereabout is placed in the banding machine and the banding machine is activated to automatically place theband 34 about the sheet ofmaterial 10. - A system for automatically placing a
band 34 about a sheet of material disposed about a flower pot is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,623,807 and 5,761,879, which are specifically incorporated herein by reference. This system can be utilized for automatically placing theband 34 about the sheet ofmaterial 10 in accordance with the present invention. - In one other embodiment, the sheet of
material 10 is placed about the floral holdingmaterial 18 and then placed in a holding device of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,202, which specifically hereby is incorporated herein by reference. This device includes a band holder. After the floral holdingmaterial 18 with the sheet ofmaterial 10 extended thereabout is placed in the holding device, the operator then takes aband 34 from the band holder and pulls it over the holding device and onto the sheet ofmaterial 10. - Shown in FIG. 3 is a modified
decorative assembly 40 a comprising a sheet ofmaterial 10 a wrapped about a modifiedfloral holding material 18 a. Thefloral holding material 18 a is constructed exactly like the floral holdingmaterial 18 shown in FIG. 2 and described in detail before, except the floral holdingmaterial 18 a has a generally rectangularly shaped cross section as compared to the circular shaped cross section shown in FIG. 2 with respect to the floral holdingmaterial 18. - The sheet of
material 10 a is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial 10 except the sheet ofmaterial 10 a may be rectangularly shaped. - The sheet of
material 10 a is extended about the floral holdingmaterial 18 a and a crimpedportion 32 a is formed in the sheet ofmaterial 10 a via theband 34 a in a manner exactly like that described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial 10 and the floral holdingmaterial 18 shown in FIG. 2. - Shown in FIG. 4 is a modified
floral holding material 18 b which is constructed exactly like the floral holdingmaterial 18 shown in FIG. 2 and described in detail before, except the floral holdingmaterial 18 b is in the shape of a solid basket. - Shown in FIG. 5 is a sheet of material10 b which is constructed exactly like the sheet of
material 10 shown in FIG. 1 and described in detail before, except the sheet of material 10 b is disposed or extended about the floral holdingmaterial 18 b. A crimpedportion 32 b is formed in the sheet of material 10 b via aband 34 b for cooperating to hold the sheet of material 10 b in position about the floral holdingmaterial 18 b to provide a decorative covering 38 b. - A decorative assembly40 b is constructed and operates exactly like the
decorative assembly 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described in detail before, except the sheet of material 10 b is extended about the floral holdingmaterial 18 b having a basket like shape as opposed to a spherical shape or rectangularly shaped cross section like the floral holdingmaterial - Shown in FIG. 6 is a modified sheet of
material 10 c which is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial 10 shown in FIG. 1 and described in detail before, except the sheet ofmaterial 10 c has aclosure bonding material 42 disposed thereon. More particularly, theclosure bonding material 42 is disposed on theupper surface 12 c of the sheet ofmaterial 10 c and theclosure bonding material 42 is spaced adistance 44 from theouter periphery 16 c of the sheet ofmaterial 10 c. Theclosure bonding material 42 extends circumferentially about the sheet ofmaterial 10 c. Theclosure bonding material 42 is spaced a distance radially from a central portion of the sheet ofmaterial 10 c. It should be noted that, although theclosure bonding material 42 is shown in FIG. 6 in the form on a continuous strip ofclosure bonding material 42, theclosure bonding material 42 may be in the form of spots or spaced apart strips and the spots or strips may be of any geometric shape desired in a particular application. - The term “bonding material” as used herein means an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. Where the bonding material is a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must be placed on the adjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondingly engaging with the cohesive material. The term “bonding material” also includes materials which are heat sealable and, in this instance, the adjacent portions of the material must be brought into contact and then heat must be applied to effect the seal. The term “bonding material” as used herein also means a heat sealing lacquer which may be applied to the sheet of material and, in this instance, heat also must be applied to effect the sealing. The term “bonding material” as used herein means any type of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of the two adjacent portions of the material or sheet of material to effect the connection or bonding described herein.
- Shown in FIG. 7 is a
floral holding material 18 c which is constructed exactly like the floral holdingmaterial 18 a shown in FIG. 3 and described in detail before. - In operation, the sheet of
material 10 c is extended about a portion of the outer peripheral surface 24 c of the floral holdingmaterial 18 c. The crimpedportion 32 c is formed in the sheet ofmaterial 10 c by crimping together portions of the sheet ofmaterial 10 c near theclosure bonding material 42 and forming overlapping portions of the sheet of material with the overlapping portions being substantially bonded via theclosure bonding material 42 to form the crimpedportion 32 c. The crimpedportion 32 c will cooperate to hold the sheet ofmaterial 10 c about the floral holdingmaterial 18 c to provide the decorative covering 38 c in a manner exactly like that described before with respect to the crimpedportion 32 c formed with theband 34 shown in FIG. 2, except in this instance the crimpedportion 32 is formed by bringing together and bonding portions of the sheet ofmaterial 10 c via theclosure bonding material 42. Theclosure bonding material 42 is positioned on theupper surface 12 c of the sheet ofmaterial 10 c so that the crimpedportion 32 c is positioned above theupper end 20 c of the floral holdingmaterial 18 c, shown in FIG. 7. - The crimping of the sheet of
material 10 c may be accomplished by hand or with a machine or device. - Shown in FIG. 8 is a modified sheet of
material 10 d which is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial 10 c shown in FIG. 6, except the sheet ofmaterial 10 d also includes a firstpot bonding material 46 which extends circumferentially about a portion of the sheet ofmaterial 10 d. The firstpot bonding material 46 is spaced a distance from theclosure bonding material 42 and spaced a distance from a central portion of the sheet ofmaterial 10 d. The sheet ofmaterial 10 d also includes a second pot bonding material which is disposed on theupper surface 12 d of the sheet ofmaterial 10 d with the secondpot bonding material 48 covering a central portion of the sheet ofmaterial 10 d. - Shown in FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a floral holding material18 d which is constructed exactly like the floral holding
material 18 a shown in FIG. 3 and described in detail before. The sheet ofmaterial 10 d is extended about the floral holding material 18 d and the crimpedportion 32 d is formed in the sheet ofmaterial 10 d in a manner exactly like that described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial 10 c shown in FIG. 7. - The first
pot bonding material 46 is disposed on the sheet ofmaterial 10 d and positioned thereon so that, when the sheet ofmaterial 10 d is wrapped or extended about the floral holding material 18 d, the firstpot bonding material 46 is disposed adjacent a portion of the outerperipheral surface 24 d near theupper end 20 d of the floral holding material 18 d. The portion of the sheet ofmaterial 10 d with thepot bonding material 46 thereon is bondingly connected to the outerperipheral surface 24 d of the floral holding material 18 d for further cooperating to hold the sheet ofmaterial 10 d extended about the floral holding material 18 d. In addition, the secondpot bonding material 48 is positioned on the sheet ofmaterial 10 d so that the secondpot bonding material 48 engages a portion of thelower end 22 d of the floral holding material 18 d and is bondingly connected thereto for still further cooperating to hold the sheet ofmaterial 10 d extended about the floral holding material 18 d to form thedecorative covering 38 d. - The
closure bonding material 42 and thepot bonding materials material 10 described herein or in any of the other positions described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,629 the present invention, the disclosure of which specifically hereby is incorporated herein by reference. - The present invention particularly is useful for providing a decorative covering using a sheet of material constructed of a material which is non-shape-sustaining. Non-shape-sustaining means that the material may be shaped about the form of the floral holding material, but the sheet of material will not hold that shape and will relax back into substantially the non-formed shape unless held in the formed shaped by some means such as the forming of the crimped portion in the sheet of material. By comparison, a shape-sustaining sheet of material would be a material such as a metal foil for example which may be formed about the floral holding material and which will substantially maintain the formed shape.
- Shown in FIG. 10 is an embodiment of a
flexible vase 60 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Theflexible vase 60 comprises a sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 wrapped about afloral holding material 64 and secured about the floral holdingmaterial 64 by aband 66. As will be more fully described in detail hereinafter, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 and the floral holdingmaterial 64 cooperate to define areservoir 68 in theflexible vase 60. Thus, to store floral groupings, such ascut flowers 70 havingstem portions 72 and bloomportions 74, thestem portions 72 of the cutflowers 70 are disposed into thereservoir 68 of theflexible vase 60 and thereservoir 68 is then filled with a suitable fluid, such aswater 76. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 62 may be of any shape such as a square as shown in FIG. 11, or a rectangle or any other geometric configuration. Further, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of material as long as at least one of the sheets of material, preferably the sheet of material disposed substantially adjacent the floral holdingmaterial 64 is impermeable to a fluid, such as water. When utilizing more than one layer of material as the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62, the sheets of material may be connected together, laminated or maintained as separate sheets of material. The thickness of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 can vary widely, the only requirements being that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 have sufficient strength so that theflexible vase 60 formed from the floral holdingmaterial 64 and the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 is capable of holding water disposed in thereservoir 68 of theflexible vase 60 and to permit theflexible vase 60 to be transported and displayed, and that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 be wrappable about the floral holdingmaterial 64 as described in detail hereinafter. - While the sheet of fluid
impermeable material 62 has been shown in FIG. 11 as a single sheet of material, it should be understood that a pad of sheets of fluidimpermeable material 62 may be utilized to enhance assembly of a plurality offlexible vases 60, or a roll of fluidimpermeable material 62 may be provided so that sheets of the fluidimpermeable material 62 can readily be obtained by cutting a sheet of material from the roll of material or by providing perforations in the roll of material to facilitate removal of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 62 is disposed about the floral holdingmaterial 64 to form adecorative cover 78 about the floral holdingmaterial 64. Thedecorative cover 78 extends a distance above the floral holdingmaterial 64 such that an upper end portion 80 of the floral holdingmaterial 64 remains substantially uncovered by thedecorative cover 78. Thus, when a floral grouping such ascut flowers 70 is positioned within thereservoir 68 of theflexible vase 60, an upper portion of thestem portions 72 and thebloom portions 74 of the cutflowers 70 extend outwardly from the upper end portion 80 of the floral holdingmaterial 64. - A crimped
portion 82 can be formed in thedecorative cover 78 near the upper end portion 80 of the floral holdingmaterial 64. The crimpedportion 82, which extends a distance inwardly, can be formed by crimping together portions of thedecorative cover 78. The crimpedportion 82 can also be formed by placing theband 66 about a portion of thedecorative cover 78, in which case theband 66 gathers or brings together portions of thedecorative cover 78 and pulls portions of thedecorative cover 78 toward the upper end portion 80 of the floral holdingmaterial 64 to form the crimpedportion 82 substantially as shown. - The term “band” as used herein means any material which may be secured about the
decorative cover 78 to secure thedecorative cover 78 about the floral holdingmaterial 64 and/or to provide additional decorative features to thedecorative cover 78. Such bands are well known in the art and include elastic or rubber bands, string, ribbon, bows, paper strips, plastic strips, wire, tie wraps, twist ties and combinations thereof or any other device capable of gathering thedecorative cover 78 to form the crimpedportion 82 and thereby secure thedecorative cover 78 about the floral holdingmaterial 64 or to enhance the decor of theflexible vase 60. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 62 may also have abonding material 84 disposed thereon for connecting adjacently disposed portions of thedecorative cover 78 forming the crimpedportion 82. More particularly, thebonding material 84 may be disposed on at least one of anupper surface 86 or a lower surface (not shown) of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 so as to be disposed a distance radially from a central portion of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62. It should be noted that, although thebonding material 84 is shown in FIG. 11 in the form of a continuous strip, the bonding material may be in the form of spots or spaced apart strips and the spots or spaced apart strips may be of any geometric design. - The
bonding material 84 is desirably a pressure sensitive adhesive or a cohesive. However, it is to be understood that theterm bonding material 84 also includes heat sealing, a heat sealing lacquer which may be applied to the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 and which requires heat to effect the bonding, or any other type of material which may be used to effect bonding of adjacently disposed portions of thedecorative cover 78 defining the crimpedportion 82. - Referring more specifically to FIG. 12, the floral holding
material 62 comprises a substantially frustoconical shape-sustaining support member 88 (also referred to herein as the shape-sustaining support member 88). The shape-sustainingsupport member 88 has an openupper end 89, an openlower end 90 and aperipheral sidewall 92 defining aninternal chamber 94 extending between the openupper end 89 and the openlower end 90 which serves as thereservoir 68 of theflexible vase 60. To prevent puncture of thedecorative cover 78 formed about the shape-sustainingsupport member 88 by thestem portions 72 of the cutflowers 70, abase member 96 is disposed across at least a portion of the openlower end 90 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 88 for restricting movement of thestem portions 72 of the cutflowers 70 through the openlower end 90 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 88. - The shape-sustaining
support member 88 is fabricated of a sheet of flexible material 98 (FIG. 13) which has sufficient flexibility to permit the sheet offlexible material 98 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 88, which also has sufficient strength to provide the required shape-sustaining properties to the shape-sustainingsupport member 88 and is sufficiently water resistant to prevent deterioration of the shape-sustainingsupport member 88 when contacted with a fluid, such as water. The thickness of the sheet offlexible material 98 can vary widely, the only requirements being that the sheet offlexible material 98 have sufficient strength and flexibility to satisfy the above requirements. Materials possessing the above-identified properties which may be used as the sheet offlexible material 98 for fabrication of the shape-sustainingsupport member 88 are polymeric materials, metals, water-repellent cardboards and the like. - While the sheet of
flexible material 98 has been shown as an individual sheet of material, it should be understood that sheets offlexible material 98 can be stacked so that each individual sheet of the flexible material could be removed from the stack and shaped into the desired configuration of the shape-sustainingsupport member 88; or, the sheets offlexible material 98 could be in the form of a roll of material in which perforations outline the configuration of each sheet offlexible material 98. - The sheet of
flexible material 98 has anupper side 100 having a centrally disposedrecess 102, alower side 104, afirst end portion 106 and asecond end portion 108 which cooperate to provide the sheet offlexible material 98 with a substantially semi-circular configuration. Thebase member 96 is connected to thelower side 104 of the sheet of flexible material 98 (substantially as shown), and thebase member 96 is provided with a circular configuration. The size or dimensions of thebase member 96 can vary widely. That is, the base member 96 can be provided with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the open lower end 90 of the shape-sustaining support member 88 so that when the sheet-of flexible material 98 is formed into the configuration of the shape-sustaining support member 88 and the base member 96 is folded to be disposed substantially adjacent the open lower end 90 of the shape-sustaining support member 88, the base member 96 extends across the open lower end 90 of the shape-sustaining support member 88 substantially as shown in FIG. 12; or, the base member 96 can be provided with a diameter less than the diameter of the open lower end 90 of the shape-sustaining support member 88 so that when the sheet of flexible material 98 is formed into the configuration of the shape-sustaining support member 88 and the base member 96 is folded so as to be disposed substantially adjacent the open lower end 90 of the shape-sustaining support member 88, the base member 96 extends across only a portion of the open lower end 90 of the shape-sustaining support member 88; or, the base member 96 can be provided with a diameter greater than the diameter of the open lower end 90 of the shape-sustaining support member 88 so that when the sheet of material 98 is formed into the configuration of the shape-sustaining support member 88 and the base member 96 is folded so as to be disposed substantially adjacent the open lower end 90 of the shape-sustaining support member 88, the base member 96 extends beyond the portion of the peripheral sidewall 92 of the shape-sustaining support member 88. - The sheet of
flexible material 98 is further provided with aconnector assembly 110 for connecting thefirst end portion 106 of the sheet offlexible material 98 to thesecond end portion 108 of the sheet offlexible material 98 when the sheet offlexible material 98 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 88 configuration substantially as shown in FIG. 12. Theconnector assembly 110 comprises amale connector 112 disposed along theupper side 100 of the sheet offlexible material 98 and comprises afirst tab member 113 a and asecond tab member 113 b. Theconnector assembly 110 also comprises a plurality offemale connectors 114 disposed in thesecond end portion 108 of the sheet offlexible material 98 such that at least onefemale connector 114 is adapted to matingly receive themale connector 112 andfirst tab member 113 a andsecond tab member 113 b thereof and thereby connect thefirst end portion 106 of the sheet offlexible material 98 to thesecond end portion 108 of the sheet ofmaterial 98. - The plurality of
female connectors 114 are spatially disposed slits provided in thesecond end portion 108 of the sheet ofmaterial 98 so that each of thefemale connectors 114 is alignable with themale connector 112 when thefirst end portion 106 of the sheet offlexible material 98 is disposed over thesecond end portion 108 of the sheet offlexible material 98 during formation of the shape-sustainingsupport member 88. Thus, upon inserting thefirst tab member 113 a andsecond tab member 113 b of themale connector 112 into a selectedfemale connector 114, the circumferential dimensions of the shape-sustainingsupport member 88 can be varied. - While the sheet of
flexible material 98 has been illustrated as having only onemale connector 112, it should be understood that a plurality of themale connectors 112 could be disposed along theupper side 100 of the sheet offlexible material 98 for mating engagement with thefemale connectors 114 formed in thesecond end portion 108 of the sheet offlexible material 98. Further, the configuration of themale connector 112 can vary widely, the only requirement being that themale connector 112 be adapted to matingly engage and be connected to thefemale connector 114 so that thefirst end portion 106 of the sheet offlexible material 98 can be securely connected to thesecond end portion 108 of the sheet offlexible material 98 so as to form the shape-sustainingsupport member 88. - To stabilize cut
flowers 70 within theinternal chamber 94 of the shape-sustaining support member 88 (i.e. the floral holdingmaterial 64 of the flexible vase 60), or to provide a flared neck portion about the openupper end 89 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 88, a plurality offinger members 116 are formed in the sheet offlexible material 98 about the centrally disposedrecess 102 formed in theupper side 100 of the sheet offlexible material 98. Thefinger members 116, which extend inwardly into the sheet offlexible material 98 from the centrally disposedrecess 102, desirably have a rounded or arcuatedistal end 118. Thus, thefinger members 116 can be easily and quickly pressed inwardly into the openupper end 89 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 88 so as to engage thestem portions 72 ofcut flowers 70 disposed within theinternal chamber 94 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 88, or thefinger members 116 can be flared outwardly and thereby provide a flared neck portion about the openupper end 89 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 88. - Shown in FIG. 14 is an embodiment of a
flexible vase 120 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Theflexible vase 120 comprises a sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122 wrapped about afloral holding material 124 and secured about thefloral holding material 124 by aband 126. As will be more fully described in detail hereinafter, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122 and thefloral holding material 124 cooperate to define areservoir 128 in theflexible vase 120. Thus, to store floral groupings, such ascut flowers 70 havingstem portions 72 and bloomportions 74, thestem portions 72 of the cutflowers 70 are disposed into thereservoir 128 of theflexible vase 120 and thereservoir 128 is then filled with a suitable fluid, such aswater 76. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 122 is substantially identical in construction to the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 11. Thus, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122 may be of any shape such as a square, or a rectangle or any other geometric configuration. Further, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of material as long as at least one of the sheets of material, preferably the sheet of material disposed substantially adjacent thefloral holding material 124 is impermeable to a fluid, such as water. When utilizing more than one layer of material as the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122, the sheets of material may be connected together, laminated or maintained as separate sheets of material. The thickness of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122 can vary widely, the only requirements being that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122 have sufficient strength so that theflexible vase 120 formed from thefloral holding material 124 and the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122 is capable of holding water disposed in thereservoir 128 of theflexible vase 120 and to permit theflexible vase 120 to be transported and displayed and that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122 be wrappable about thefloral holding material 124 as described in detail hereinafter. - It should be understood that a pad of sheets of fluid
impermeable material 122 may be utilized to enhance assembly of a plurality offlexible vases 120, or a roll of fluidimpermeable material 122 may be provided so that sheets of the fluidimpermeable material 122 can readily be obtained by cutting a sheet of material from the roll of material or by providing perforations in the roll of material to facilitate removal of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 122 is disposed about thefloral holding material 124 to form adecorative cover 130 about thefloral holding material 124. Thedecorative cover 130 extends a distance above thefloral holding material 124 such that anupper end portion 132 of thefloral holding material 124 remains substantially uncovered by thedecorative cover 130. Thus, when a floral grouping such ascut flowers 70 is positioned within thereservoir 128 of theflexible vase 120, an upper portion of thestem portions 72 and thebloom portions 74 of the cutflowers 70 extend outwardly from theupper end portion 132 of thefloral holding material 124. - A crimped
portion 134 can be formed in thedecorative cover 130 near theupper end portion 132 of thefloral holding material 124. The crimpedportion 134, which extends a distance inwardly, can be formed by crimping together portions of thedecorative cover 130. The crimpedportion 134 can also be formed by placing theband 126 about a portion of thedecorative cover 130, in which case theband 126 gathers or brings together portions of thedecorative cover 130 and pulls portions of thedecorative cover 130 toward theupper end portion 132 of thefloral holding material 124 to form the crimpedportion 134 substantially as shown. - As previously stated, the term “band” as used herein means any material which may be secured about the
decorative cover 130 to secure thedecorative cover 130 about thefloral holding material 124 and/or to provide additional decorative features to thedecorative cover 130. Such bands are well known in the art and include elastic or rubber bands, string, ribbon, bows, paper strips, plastic strips, wire, tie wraps, twist ties and combinations thereof or any other device capable of gathering thedecorative cover 130 to form the crimpedportion 134 and thereby secure thedecorative cover 130 about thefloral holding material 124 or to enhance the decor of theflexible vase 120. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 122 may also have a bonding material (not shown) disposed thereon for connecting adjacently disposed portions of thedecorative cover 130 forming the crimpedportion 134. The bonding material (not shown) may be disposed on at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface (not shown) of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122 so as to be disposed a distance radially from a central portion of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 122; and the bonding material may be in the form of a continuous strip, spots or spaced apart strips and the spots or spaced apart strips may be of any geometric design. - Referring now to FIGS.15-18, the
floral holding material 124 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 140 having an open upper end. 142, an openlower end 144 and aperipheral sidewall 146 defining aninternal chamber 148 extending between the openupper end 142 and the openlower end 144. The shape-sustainingsupport member 140 is fabricated of a sheet of flexible material 150 (FIG. 16) which has sufficient flexibility to permit the sheet offlexible material 150 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 140, which has sufficient strength to provide the required shape-sustaining properties to the shape-sustainingsupport member 140 and which is sufficiently water-resistant to prevent deterioration of the shape-sustainingsupport member 140 when contacted with a fluid such as water. The thickness of the sheet offlexible material 150 can vary widely, the only requirements being that the sheet offlexible material 150 have sufficient strength and flexibility to satisfy the above requirements. - The sheet of
flexible material 150 has anupper side 152 having a centrally disposedrecess 154, alower side 156, afirst end portion 158, and asecond end portion 160 which cooperate to provide the sheet offlexible material 150 with a substantially semi-circular configuration. The sheet offlexible material 150 is also provided with aconnector assembly 162 for connecting thefirst end portion 158 of the sheet offlexible material 150 to thesecond end portion 160 of the sheet offlexible material 150 so that the sheet offlexible material 150 can be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 140. - The
connector assembly 162 comprises amale connector 164 extending from theupper side 152 of the sheet offlexible material 150 so as to be disposed in close proximity to thefirst end portion 158 of the sheet offlexible material 150. A plurality offemale connectors 166 are formed in thesecond end portion 160 of the sheet offlexible material 150 such that at least onefemale connector 166 is adapted to matingly receive themale connector 164 and thereby connect thefirst end portion 158 of the sheet offlexible material 150 to thesecond end portion 160 of the sheet offlexible material 150 and thus provide the shape-sustainingsupport member 140 shown in FIG. 15. - The
male connector 164 is provided with a substantially mushroom or button shapedhead portion 168 and a shank portion 170. The plurality offemale connectors 166 are a plurality of slits spatially formed in thesecond end portion 160 of the sheet offlexible material 150 so that each of thefemale connectors 166 is alignable with themale connector 164 when thefirst end portion 158 of the sheet offlexible material 150 is disposed over the second end portion 160-of the sheet offlexible material 132 during formation of the shape-sustainingsupport member 140. Thus, upon inserting thehead portion 168 of themale connector 164 into a selectedfemale connector 166, the circumferential dimensions of the shape-sustainingsupport member 140 can be varied. - While the sheet of
flexible material 150 has been illustrated as having only onemale connector 164, it should be understood that a plurality ofmale connectors 164 could be disposed along theupper side 152 of the sheet offlexible material 150 for matingly engaging thefemale connectors 166 formed in thesecond end portion 160 of the sheet offlexible material 150. Further, while themale connector 164 has been depicted as having a mushroom or button shapedhead portion 168, it should be understood that the configuration of themale connector 164 can vary widely and thehead portion 168 of themale connector 164 could be in the shape of an arrow, or any other geometric configuration which is adapted to matingly engage and be connected to thefemale connectors 166 so that thefirst end portion 158 of the sheet offlexible material 150 can be securely connected to thesecond end portion 160 of the sheet offlexible material 150 so as to form the shape-sustainingsupport member 140. - To prevent puncture of the
decorative cover 130 formed about the shape-sustainingsupport member 140 by thestem portions 72 of a floral grouping, such ascut flowers 70, abase member 172 is disposed about the openlower end 144 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 140 substantially as shown in FIG. 17. Thebase member 172 is provided with an upwardly extendinglip 174 to assist in stabilizing thebase member 172 relative to the shape-sustainingsupport member 140. - FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of a
base member 176 for the shape-sustainingsupport member 140. In this embodiment, thebase member 176 is provided with an inwardly taperedperipheral sidewall 178 for matingly engaging a lower portion of the interior surface of theperipheral sidewall 146 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 140. That is, thebase member 176 is sized such that thebase member 176 can be disposed within the openlower end 144 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 140 substantially as shown in FIG. 18. - The
base members support member 140 to enhance stability and water tightness of theinternal chamber 148 formed in the shape-sustainingsupport member 140. Any suitable means can be employed for connecting thebase members support member 140, such as an adhesive, cohesive, pressure sensitive adhesive and the like. - Referring now to FIGS.19-21, a
floral holding material 180 which, when wrapped with a sheet of the fluid impermeable material such as the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 hereinbefore described, provides a flexible vase having a configuration similar to theflexible vase 60 shown in FIG. 1. Thefloral holding material 180 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 182 having an openupper end 184, an openlower end 186 and aperipheral sidewall 188 defining aninternal chamber 190 extending between the openupper end 184 and the openlower end 186. - The shape-sustaining
support member 182 is fabricated of a sheet of flexible material 192 (FIGS. 20-21) which has sufficient flexibility to permit the sheet offlexible material 192 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 182, and which also has sufficient strength to provide the required shape-sustaining properties to the shape-sustainingsupport member 182 and is sufficiently water-resistant to prevent deterioration of the shape-sustainingsupport member 182 when same is contacted with a fluid, such as water. The thickness of the sheet offlexible material 192 can vary widely, the only requirement being that the sheet offlexible material 192 have sufficient strength and flexibility to satisfy the above requirements. Any material possessing the above-identified properties can be used in the fabrication of the sheet offlexible material 192. - The sheet of
flexible material 192 has anupper side 194 having a centrally disposedrecess 196, alower side 198, afirst end portion 200 and asecond end portion 202 which cooperate to provide the sheet offlexible material 192 with a substantially semi-circular configuration. - The sheet of
flexible material 192 is further provided with a connector assembly 204 (FIG. 20) for connecting thefirst end portion 200 of the sheet offlexible material 192 to thesecond end portion 202 of the sheet offlexible material 192 when the sheet offlexible material 192 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 188. Theconnector assembly 204 comprises a plurality ofmale connectors 206 formed in thefirst end portion 200 of the sheet offlexible material 192 so as to be disposed in close proximity to theupper side 194 of the sheet offlexible material 192, and a plurality offemale connectors 208 formed in thesecond end portion 202 of the sheet offlexible material 192 such that at least a portion of thefemale connectors 208 are adapted to matingly receive themale connectors 206 and thereby connect thefirst end portion 200 of the sheet offlexible material 192 to thesecond end portion 202 of the sheet offlexible material 192 to provide the shape-sustaining support member shown in FIG. 19. - The
male connectors 206 of theconnector assembly 204 are a plurality of spatially disposed studs or bosses which extend upwardly from anupper surface 210 of the sheet offlexible material 192; and thefemale connectors 208 are a plurality of apertures formed in thesecond end portion 202 of the sheet offlexible material 192 which are adapted to matingly receive and frictionally engage themale connectors 206 so that, upon inserting themale connectors 206 into thefemale connectors 208, thefirst end portion 200 of the sheet offlexible material 192 can be securely connected to thesecond end portion 202 to form the shape-sustainingsupport member 182. It should be noted that by providing a plurality offemale connectors 208 spatially disposed along thesecond end portion 202 of the sheet offlexible material 192, insertion of themale connectors 206 into selectedfemale connectors 208 permits one to vary the circumferential dimensions of the shape-sustainingsupport member 182. - To stabilize cut flowers or other floral arrangements within the
internal chamber 190 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 182, a plurality offinger members 212 are formed in the sheet offlexible material 192 about the centrally disposedrecess 196 formed in theupper side 194 of the sheet offlexible material 192. Thefinger members 212, which extend inwardly into the sheet offlexible material 192 from the centrally disposedrecess 196 substantially as shown, desirably have a rounded or arcuatedistal end 214. Thus, thefinger members 212 can be easily and quickly pressed inwardly into the openupper end 184 of the shape-sustaining support,member 182 so as to engage the stem portions of cut flowers or other floral arrangements disposed within theinternal chamber 190 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 182, or thefinger members 212 can be flared outwardly and thereby provide a flared neck portion about the open upper end of 184 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 182. - Referring, now to FIG. 21, another embodiment of a
connector assembly 220 for interconnecting thefirst end portion 200 and thesecond end portion 202 of the sheet offlexible material 192 to form the shape-sustainingsupport member 182 is illustrated. Theconnector assembly 220 comprises a plurality ofmale connectors 222 formed in thefirst end portion 200 of the sheet offlexible material 192 so as to be disposed in close proximity to theupper side 194 of the sheet offlexible material 192; and a plurality offemale connectors 224 formed in thesecond end portion 202 of the sheet offlexible material 192 such that at least a portion of thefemale connectors 224 are adapted to matingly receive themale connectors 222 and thereby connect thefirst end portion 200 of the sheet offlexible material 192 to thesecond end portion 202 of the sheet offlexible material 192 to provide the shape-sustainingsupport member 182 shown in FIG. 19. Themale connectors 222 are a plurality of spatially disposed studs or bosses which extend upwardly from theupper surface 210 of the sheet offlexible material 192; and thefemale connectors 224 are a plurality of spatially disposed studs or bosses which extend upwardly from theupper surface 210 of the sheet offlexible material 192 and which have a centrally disposedrecess 225 formed therein adapted to matingly receive themale connectors 222. The plurality offemale connectors 224 are spatially disposed along thesecond end portion 202 such that a portion of thefemale connectors 224 are adapted to matingly receive themale connectors 222. Thus, upon inserting themale connectors 222 into selectedfemale connectors 224, the circumferential dimensions of the shape-sustainingsupport member 182 can be varied. - Referring now to FIGS. 22 and 23, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 230 is shown. Thefloral holding material 230 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 232 having an openupper end 234, an openlower end 236 and aperipheral sidewall 238 defining aninternal chamber 240 extending between the openupper end 234 and the openlower end 236. The shape-sustainingsupport member 232 is fabricated of a sheet of flexible material 242 (FIG. 23) which has sufficient flexibility to permit the sheet offlexible material 242 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 232. - The sheet of
flexible material 242 has anupper side 244 having a centrally disposedrecess 246, alower side 248, afirst end portion 250 and asecond end portion 252 which cooperate to provide the sheet offlexible material 242 with a substantially semi-circular configuration. The sheet offlexible material 242 is further provided with aconnector assembly 254 for connecting thefirst end portion 250 of the sheet offlexible material 242 to thesecond end portion 252 of the sheet offlexible material 242 when the sheet offlexible material 242 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 232. - The
connector assembly 254 comprises amale connector 256 and a plurality offemale connectors 258. Themale connector 256 is formed in theupper side 244 of the sheet offlexible material 242 so as to be substantially adjacent thefirst end portion 250 of the sheet offlexible material 242 and comprises afirst tab member 257 a and asecond tab member 257 b; and the plurality offemale connectors 258 are formed in thesecond end portion 252 of the sheet offlexible material 242 such that at least one of thefemale connectors 258 is adapted to matingly receive thefirst tab member 257 a andsecond tab member 257 b of themale connector 256 and thereby connect thefirst end portion 250 of the sheet offlexible material 242 to thesecond end portion 252 of the sheet offlexible material 242 and thus provide the shape-sustainingsupport member 232 shown in FIG. 22. The plurality offemale connectors 258 are spatially disposed slits provided in thesecond end portion 252 of the sheet offlexible material 242 so that each of thefemale connectors 258 is alignable with themale connector 256 when thefirst end portion 250 of the sheet offlexible material 242 is disposed over thesecond end portion 252 of the sheet offlexible material 242 during formation of the shape-sustainingsupport member 232. Thus, upon inserting thefirst tab member 257 a andsecond tab member 257 b of themale connector 256 into a selectedfemale connector 258, the circumferential dimensions of the shape-sustainingsupport member 232 can be varied. - While the sheet of
flexible material 242 has been illustrated as having only onemale connector 256, it should be understood that a plurality ofmale connectors 256 can be disposed along theupper side 244 of the sheet offlexible material 242 for mating engagement with thefemale connectors 258 formed in thesecond end portion 252 of the sheet offlexible material 242. Further, the configuration of themale connector 256 can vary widely, the only requirement being that themale connector 256 be adapted to matingly engage and be connected to thefemale connectors 258 so that thefirst end portion 250 of the sheet offlexible material 242 can be securely connected to thesecond end portion 252 of the sheet offlexible material 242 and thereby form the shape-sustainingsupport member 232. - To stabilize a floral grouping, such as the cut flowers70 (FIG. 1), within the
internal chamber 240 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 232, a plurality ofslots 260 are provided in the sheet offlexible material 242 substantially as shown. Theslots 260 extend radially from the centrally disposedrecess 246 formed in theupper side 244 of the sheet offlexible material 242. Thus, theslots 260 provide open recessed areas for insertion of floral groupings (such as stem portions of cut flowers) therethrough for stabilizing same relative to the openupper end 234 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 232. - The spatially disposed
slots 260 also define a plurality offinger members 262 which extend from the openupper end 234 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 232. Thus, if desired, thefinger members 262 can be easily and quickly pressed inwardly into the openupper end 234 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 232 so as to engage a portion of the floral arrangement disposed within the internal chamber of the shape-sustainingsupport member 232 and thereby stabilize the floral arrangement, or thefinger members 262 can be flared outwardly and thereby provide a flared neck portion about the openupper end 234 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 232. - Referring now to FIG. 24, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 266 is shown. Thefloral holding material 266 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 268 having an openupper end 270, an openlower end 272 and aperipheral sidewall 274 defining aninternal chamber 276 extending between the openupper end 270 and the openlower end 272. The shape-sustainingsupport member 268 is fabricated of a sheet of flexible material 278 (FIG. 25) which has sufficient flexibility and strength to permit the sheet offlexible material 278 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 268. - The sheet of
flexible material 278 has anupper side 280 having a centrally disposedrecess 282, alower side 284, afirst end portion 286 and asecond end portion 288 which cooperate to provide the sheet offlexible material 278 with a substantially semi-circular configuration. The sheet offlexible material 278 is further provided with aconnector assembly 290 for connecting thefirst end portion 286 of the sheet offlexible material 278 to thesecond end portion 288 of the sheet offlexible material 278 when the sheet offlexible material 278 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 268. - The
connector assembly 290 comprises amale connector 292 disposed on anupper surface 294 of the sheet offlexible material 278 and afemale connector 296 formed along a portion of alower surface 298 of the sheet offlexible material 278. The male connector, which is provided with a rib configuration, extends along at least a portion of the sheet offlexible material 278 such that themale connector 292 is disposed on thesurface 294 of the sheet offlexible material 278 in close proximity to theupper side 280 of the sheet offlexible material 278 and extends between thefirst end portion 286 and the centrally disposedrecess 282. The female connector, which is a generally channel-shaped connection, is disposed on thelower surface 298 of the sheet offlexible material 278 in close proximity to theupper side 280 of the sheet offlexible material 278 and extends between the centrally disposedrecess 282 and thesecond end portion 288 of the sheet offlexible material 278. Thus, upon forming the sheet of flexible material into the configuration of the shape-sustaining support member as shown in FIG. 24, the rib portion of themale connector 292 is snapped into the channel portion of thefemale connector 296 so as to securely connect thefirst end portion 286 of the sheet offlexible material 278 to thesecond end portion 288 of the sheet offlexible material 278 and thereby provide the shape-sustainingsupport member 268 as shown in FIG. 24. - Referring now to FIG. 26, a
floral holding material 300 is shown. Thefloral holding material 300 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 302 having an openupper end 304, an openlower end 306 and aperipheral sidewall 308 defining aninternal chamber 310 extending between the openupper end 304 and the openlower end 306. The shape-sustainingsupport member 302 is fabricated of a sheet offlexible material 312 which has sufficient flexibility and strength to permit the sheet offlexible material 312 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 302. - The sheet of flexible material312 (FIG. 27) is provided with a substantially semi-circular configuration and has an
upper side 314 having a centrally disposedrecess 316, alower side 318, afirst end portion 320, asecond end portion 322, anupper surface 324 and alower surface 326. The flexible sheet ofmaterial 312 is also provided with aconnector assembly 328 for connecting thefirst end portion 320 of the sheet offlexible material 312 to thesecond end portion 322 of the sheet offlexible material 312 when the sheet offlexible material 312 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 302. - The
connector assembly 328 comprises a first strip of a cohesive 330 disposed substantially adjacent theupper side 314 of the sheet offlexible material 312 so as to extend along at least a substantial portion of the distance between the centrally disposedrecess 316 formed in theupper side 314 and thefirst end portion 320 of the sheet offlexible material 312, and a second strip of a cohesive 332 disposed on thelower surface 326 of the sheet offlexible material 312 so as to be disposed near theupper side 314 thereof and along a substantial portion of theupper side 314 between the centrally disposedrecess 316 formed in theupper side 314 and thesecond end portion 322 of the sheet offlexible material 312. Thus, when thefirst end portion 320 of the sheet offlexible material 312 is disposed over thesecond end portion 322 of the sheet offlexible material 312 and the first and second strips of cohesive 330, 332 are brought into contact, thefirst end portion 320 of the sheet offlexible material 312 is connected to thesecond end portion 322 of the sheet ofmaterial 312 to provide the shape-sustainingsupport member 302. It should be noted that while theconnector assembly 328 has been shown as a first strip of cohesive 330 and a second strip of cohesive 332, such cohesives are not restricted to being in strip form but can be in the form of dots, segments or any other desired configuration. - Referring now to FIGS. 28 and 29, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 336 is shown. Thefloral holding material 336 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 338 having an openupper end 340, an openlower end 342, and aperipheral sidewall 344 defining aninternal chamber 346 extending between the openupper end 340 and the openlower end 342. The shape-sustainingsupport member 338 is fabricated of a sheet offlexible material 348 having sufficient flexibility and strength to provide the desired shape-sustaining properties to the shape-sustainingsupport member 338. - The sheet of
flexible material 348, which has a substantially semi-circular configuration, is provided with anupper side 350 having a centrally disposedrecess 352, alower side 354, afirst end portion 356, asecond end portion 358 and anupper surface 360. The sheet offlexible material 348 is further provided with aconnector assembly 362 for connecting thefirst end portion 356 of the sheet offlexible material 348 to thesecond end portion 358 of the sheet offlexible material 348 when the sheet offlexible material 348 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 338. - The
connector assembly 362 comprises a first strip of a cohesive 364 and a second strip of a cohesive 366. The first strip of cohesive 364 is disposed on theupper surface 360 of the sheet offlexible material 348 so as to be disposed substantially adjacent theupper side 350 of the sheet offlexible material 348; and the first strip of cohesive 364 extends between the centrally disposedrecess 352 and thefirst end portion 356 of the sheet offlexible material 348. Similarly, the second strip of cohesive 366 is disposed on theupper surface 360 of the sheet offlexible material 348 so as to be disposed substantially adjacent theupper side 360 of the sheet offlexible material 348; and the second strip of cohesive 366 extends between the centrally disposedrecess 352 and thesecond end portion 358 of the sheet offlexible material 348. Thus, when the sheet offlexible material 348 is formed into a substantially conical configuration, the first strip of cohesive 364 is brought into contact with the second strip of cohesive 366 so that the first andsecond end portions flexible material 348 are connected and the sheet of flexible material is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 338. - Referring now to FIG. 30, a
floral holding material 370 is shown. Thefloral holding material 370 comprises a shape-sustainingmember 372 having an openupper end 374, an openlower end 376 and aperipheral sidewall 378 defining aninternal chamber 380 extending between the openupper end 374 and the openlower end 376. The shape-sustainingsupport member 372 is fabricated of a sheet of flexible material 382 (FIG. 31) having sufficient flexibility and strength to permit the sheet offlexible material 382 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 372. - Referring more specifically to FIG. 31, the sheet of
flexible material 382 has anupper side 384 having a centrally disposedrecess 386, alower side 388, afirst end portion 390 and asecond end portion 392 which cooperate to provide the sheet offlexible material 382 with a substantially semi-circular configuration. The sheet offlexible material 382 is further provided with aconnector assembly 394 for connecting thefirst end portion 390 of the sheet offlexible material 382 to thesecond end portion 392 of the sheet offlexible material 382 when the sheet offlexible material 382 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 372. - The
connector assembly 394 comprises a first strip of cohesive 396 disposed along anupper surface 398 of the sheet offlexible material 382 such that the first strip of cohesive 396 is disposed substantially adjacent theupper side 384 of the sheet of flexible material and extends a substantial portion of the distance between the centrally disposedrecess 386 formed in theupper side 384 of the sheet offlexible material 382 and thefirst end portion 396 thereof. Theconnector assembly 394 further comprises a second strip of cohesive. 400 disposed on theupper surface 398 of the sheet offlexible material 382 such that the second strip of cohesive 400 is disposed substantially adjacent theupper side 384 of the sheet offlexible material 382 and extends a substantial portion of the distance between the centrally disposedrecess 386 formed in theupper side 384 of the sheet offlexible material 382 and thesecond end portion 392 thereof. Thus, when thefirst end portion 390 of the sheet offlexible material 382 is disposed over thesecond end portion 392 of the sheet offlexible material 382 and the first and second strips of cohesive 396 and 400 are brought into bonding engagement, the sheet offlexible material 382 is formed and secured in a substantially frustoconical shape-sustainingmember 401 substantially as shown in FIG. 32 wherein the portions of the first andsecond end portions flexible material 382 are bondingly connected by the first and second strips of cohesive 396 and 400 and extend outwardly therefrom to form aflap portion 402 substantially as shown in FIG. 32. To secure the outwardly extendingflap portion 402 to theperipheral sidewall 378 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 372, theconnector assembly 394 further comprises a strip of adhesive 404 disposed along alower surface 406 of the sheet offlexible material 382 so as to be spatially disposed from the second strip of cohesive 400, substantially as shown in FIG. 31. Thus, when theflap 402 is moved adjacent a portion of theperipheral side wall 378 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 372, the adhesive 404 bondingly connects theflap 402 to the adjacently disposed portion of theperipheral sidewall 378 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 372 to provide the shape-sustainingsupport member 372 with the configuration shown in FIG. 30. - Referring now to FIGS. 33 and 34, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 450 is shown. Thefloral holding material 450, when wrapped with a sheet of fluid impermeable material, provides a flexible vase similar to theflexible vase 120 shown in FIG. 14. Thefloral holding material 450 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 452 having an openupper end 454, an openlower end 456 and aperipheral sidewall 458 defining aninternal chamber 460 extending between the openupper end 454 and the openlower end 456. A plurality ofpleats 461 are formed in theperipheral sidewall 458 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452. Thepleats 461 extend from the openupper end 454 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 and terminate a distance from the openlower end 456 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452. - A sheet of fluid impermeable material, similar in construction to the sheet of fluid
impermeable material 62 hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 11, is shown disposed about thefloral holding material 450 to form adecorative cover 453 about the shape-sustainingsupport member 452. Thedecorative cover 453 extends a distance above the openupper end 454 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 and cooperates with theinternal chamber 460 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 to define a reservoir for confining a liquid. A securingelement 455 is disposed about thedecorative cover 453 at a position below the openupper end 454 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 for securing thedecorative cover 453 about the shape-sustainingmember 452 such that at least a portion of the openupper end 454 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 is substantially uncovered by thedecorative cover 453. While the securingelement 455 is shown as being disposed below the openupper end 454 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452, it should be understood that the securingelement 455 can be disposed above the openupper end 454 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 if desired. - The shape-sustaining
support member 452 is fabricated of a sheet of flexible material 462 (FIG. 34) which has sufficient flexibility to permit the sheet offlexible material 462 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 452, sufficient strength to provide the required shape-sustaining properties to the shape-sustainingsupport member 452, and sufficient water-resistance to prevent deterioration of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 when the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 is contacted with a fluid, such as water. The thickness of the sheet offlexible material 462 can vary widely, the only requirement being that the sheet offlexible material 462 have sufficient strength and flexibility to satisfy the above requirements. - The sheet of
flexible material 462 has anupper side 464 having a centrally disposedrecess 466, alower side 468, afirst end portion 470 and asecond end portion 472 which cooperate to provide the sheet offlexible material 462 with a substantially semi-circular configuration. A plurality ofscore lines 474 are formed in one surface, such as anupper surface 478 of the sheet offlexible material 462, and extend radially from the centrally disposedrecess 466 formed in theupper side 464 of the sheet offlexible material 462 in the direction of thefirst end portion 470, thelower side 468 and thesecond end portion 472 substantially as shown. The score lines 474 permit the formation of thepleats 461 in theperipheral sidewall 458 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 by permitting portions of theperipheral sidewall 458 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 to be folded over an adjacently disposed portion of theperipheral sidewall 458. Thus, by formingpleats 461 in theperipheral sidewall 458 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452, the diameter of the openupper end 454 can be selectively reduced, if desired. At least a portion of thepleats 461 formed in theperipheral sidewall 458 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 can be secured in a stable position by cohesive disposed along each side of the score lines 474 provided in the sheet offlexible material 462 such that when thepleats 461 are made by folding the sheet offlexible material 462 along the score lines 474, thepleats 461 are bondingly connected to an underlying portion of theperipheral sidewall 458 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452. It should be understood that the bonding of a portion of all of thepleats 461 to the underlying portion of theperipheral sidewall 458 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 can be achieved in any suitable manner, such as with tape, staples, or any other connecting means well known in the art. - The sheet of
flexible material 462 is further provided with aconnector assembly 480 for connecting thefirst end portion 470 of the sheet offlexible material 462 to thesecond end portion 472 of the sheet offlexible material 462 so as to form the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 substantially as shown in FIG. 33. Theconnector assembly 480 comprises amale connector 482 and a plurality offemale connectors 484. Themale connector 482 extends from theupper side 464 of the sheet ofmaterial 462 so as to be disposed in close proximity to thefirst end portion 470 of the sheet offlexible material 462; and the plurality offemale connectors 484 are formed in thesecond end portion 472 of the sheet offlexible material 462 substantially as shown. Thefemale connectors 484 are spatially disposed along thesecond end portion 472 of the sheet offlexible material 462 such that at least onefemale connector 484 is adapted to matingly receive themale connector 482 and thereby connect thefirst end portion 470 of the sheet offlexible material 462 to thesecond end portion 472 and thus provide the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 shown in FIG. 33. While thefemale connectors 484 are shown in the form of slits formed in the second end portion of the sheet of flexible material, it should be understood that thefemale connectors 484 may comprise any form adapted to receive a male connector commonly known in the art. - The
male connector 482 is provided with ashank portion 486 and a substantially arrow-shapedhead portion 488. As previously stated, thefemale connectors 484 are spatially disposed along thesecond end portion 472 of the sheet offlexible material 462 so that each of thefemale connectors 484 can be aligned with themale connector 482 when thefirst end portion 470 of the sheet offlexible material 462 is disposed over thesecond end portion 472 of the sheet offlexible material 462 during formation of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452. Thus, upon inserting thehead portion 488 of themale connector 482 through a selectedfemale connector 484, the circumferential dimensions of the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 can be varied. - While the sheet of
flexible material 462 has been illustrated as having only onemale connector 482, it should be understood that a plurality ofmale connectors 482 could be disposed along theupper side 464 of the sheet offlexible material 462 so as to extend between the centrally disposedrecess 466 formed in theupper side 464 of the sheet offlexible material 462 and thefirst end portion 470 of the sheet offlexible material 462. Further, the configuration of themale connector 482 can vary widely, the only requirement being that themale connector 482 be adapted to matingly engage and be connected to thefemale connectors 484 so that thefirst end portion 470 of the sheet offlexible material 462 can be securely connected to thesecond end portion 472 of the sheet of flexible material, 462 to form the shape-sustainingsupport member 452 depicted in FIG. 33. - Referring now to FIG. 35, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 490 is shown. Thefloral holding material 490, when wrapped with a sheet of fluid impermeable material as hereinbefore described, provides a flexible vase having a substantially rectangular configuration. Thefloral holding material 490 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 492 having a partially openupper end 494, an openlower end 496 and a plurality ofsidewalls 498 defining aninternal chamber 500 extending between the partially openupper end 494 and the openlower end 496. It should be noted that while the shape-sustainingsupport member 492 has been illustrated as having foursidewalls 498, the number ofsidewalls 498 can vary and the number ofsidewalls 498 will determine the geometric configuration of the shape-sustainingsupport member 492. For example, if the shape-sustaining support member is provided with three sidewalls, the shape-sustaining support member will have a substantially triangular configuration; whereas if the shape-sustaining support member is provided with five sidewalls, the shape-sustaining support member will have a substantially pentagonal configuration. The shape-sustainingsupport member 492 is further provided with a plurality of substantially triangular shapedtabs 502 disposed along the openupper end 494 which, when pressed inwardly as shown, stabilize a floral arrangement, such as cut flowers, within theinternal chamber 500 formed within the shape-sustainingsupport member 492. - Referring more specifically to FIG. 36, the shape-sustaining
support member 492 is fabricated of a sheet offlexible material 504 which has sufficient flexibility to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 492, sufficient strength to provide the required shape-sustaining properties to the shape-sustainingsupport member 492 and sufficient water resistance to prevent deterioration of the shape-sustainingsupport member 492 when contacted with a fluid, such as water. The thickness of the sheet offlexible material 504 can vary widely, the only requirement being that the sheet offlexible material 504 have sufficient strength and flexibility to satisfy the above requirements. - The sheet of
flexible material 504 has anupper side 506, alower side 508, afirst end portion 510 and asecond end portion 512. The plurality oftriangular tabs 502 extend from theupper side 506 of the sheet offlexible material 504 substantially as shown. The substantially triangularly shapedtabs 502 are provided with a plurality of spatially disposedapertures 513 so that when the sheet offlexible material 504 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 492 and thetabs 502 are pressed inwardly into the openupper end 496 of the shape-sustainingmember 492, the stem portion of a floral grouping (not shown) can be disposed through theapertures 513. Ascore line 514 is provided along theupper side 506 of the sheet offlexible material 504 so as to be disposed between theupper side 506 of the sheet offlexible material 504 and the triangularly shapedtabs 502 for permitting the triangularly shapedtabs 502 to be pressed inwardly into the openupper end 496 of the shape-sustainingmember 492 substantially as shown in FIG. 35. The triangularly shapedtabs 502 may be provided with a plurality of floralgrouping receiving openings 513 for stabilizing a floral grouping disposed therethrough relative to the shape-sustainingsupport member 492. In addition, the sheet offlexible material 504 is provided with three vertically extendingscore lines 516 for permitting the sheet offlexible material 504 to be folded to form thesidewalls 498 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 492. - The sheet of
flexible material 504 is further provided with aconnector assembly 518 for connecting thefirst end portion 510 of the sheet offlexible material 504 to thesecond end portion 512 thereof so as to form the shape-sustainingsupport member 492. Theconnector assembly 518 extends along at least a portion of thefirst end portion 510 so as to be disposed substantially adjacent an edge thereof and is adapted to connect to thesecond end portion 512 of the sheet offlexible material 504 to form the shape-sustainingsupport member 492. Any suitable means can be employed as theconnector assembly 518, including the connecting assemblies heretofore described. However, especially desirable results can be obtained wherein theconnector assembly 518 is a strip of adhesive 520 which extends along thefirst end portion 510 of the sheet offlexible material 504 between theupper side 506 and thelower side 508 thereof substantially as shown. It should be understood that while theconnector assembly 518 has been shown as a strip of adhesive 520 extending between theupper side 506 and thelower side 508 of the sheet offlexible material 504, the adhesive can be in the form of spaced apart strip segments, dots, or any other geometrical configuration. The only requirement of the bonding material or any other suitable connector assembly employed in combination with the sheet offlexible material 504 is that the bonding material or connector assembly be adapted to securely connect thesecond end portion 512 to thefirst end portion 510 of the sheet offlexible material 504 to form the shape-sustainingsupport member 492. - Referring now to FIGS. 37 and 38, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 530 is shown. Thefloral holding material 530 can be wrapped with a sheet of the fluid impermeable material, such as the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 hereinbefore described, to provide a flexible vase similar to theflexible vase 60 in the manner hereinbefore described. Thefloral holding material 530 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 532 having an openupper end 534, an openlower end 536 and aperipheral sidewall 538 defining aninternal chamber 540 extending between the openupper end 534 and the openlower end 536. A plurality of score lines, such asscore lines peripheral sidewall 538 and extend between the openupper end 534 and the openlower end 536 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 532. The score lines 542 and 544 permit a portion of theperipheral sidewall 538 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 532 to be folded over an adjacently disposed portion of theperipheral sidewall 538 substantially as shown in FIG. 38 to reduce the diameter of the openupper end 534 the openlower end 536 and theinternal chamber 540 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 532. The overlapped portion orpleat 546 formed in theperipheral sidewall 538 can then be secured in a stable position by strips of cohesive 548 disposed along each side of thescore lines peripheral sidewall 538 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 532. It should be understood that the bonding of the overlapped portion orpleat 546 formed in theperipheral sidewall 538 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 532 to the underlying portion of theperipheral sidewall 538, while being illustrated with the use of strips of cohesive, can be achieved in any suitable manner, such as with an adhesive, tape, staples, or any other connecting means well known in the art. - Referring now to FIG. 39, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 550 for use in forming a flexible decorative vase is illustrated. Thefloral holding material 550 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 having an openupper end 554, an openlower end 556 and aperipheral sidewall 558 defining aninternal chamber 560 extending between the openupper end 554 and the openlower end 556. Because the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 is formed of a substantially rigid material, creases 562 and 564 are formed in theperipheral sidewall 558 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 when the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 is flattened for transportation and storage substantially as shown in FIG. 40. Since it is desirable to expand the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 to its substantially original configuration for use in the construction of a flexible vase, and becausecreases 562 and. 564 are formed in theperipheral sidewall 558 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552, it is necessary to provide amechanism 565 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 in its expanded configuration when the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 has been flattened for transportation and storage. - The
mechanism 565 comprises an elastic member, such as anelastic band 566, which is attached to the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 substantially adjacent the openlower end 556 thereof so as to extend between thecreases peripheral sidewall 558 of the preformed shape-sustainingmember 552 substantially as shown. Since the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 is in its normal expanded condition prior to flattening, theelastic band 566 is placed under tension or stretched during flattening of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552. Thus, when it is desired to use the flattened preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552, one merely removes the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 from its shipping or storage carton (not shown) and allows theelastic band 566 to contract or resume its unstretched condition whereby the flattened preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 is moved to its original configuration substantially as shown in FIG. 39. - Referring now to FIGS. 41 and 42, another embodiment of a
mechanism 569 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 in its expanded configuration is illustrated. In this embodiment, afirst tab 570 having a length greater than the radius of the openlower end 556 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 is connected to a portion of theperipheral sidewall 558 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 so as to be substantially adjacent the openlower end 556 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552; and asecond tab 572, also having a length greater than the radius of the openlower end 556 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 is connected to a portion of theperipheral sidewall 558 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 so as to be disposed opposite thefirst tab 570 and substantially adjacent the openlower end 556 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 substantially as shown. When assembling the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 for use, one applies sufficient pressure along thecreases peripheral sidewall 558 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 so that the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 is moved from the flattened storage position (FIG. 42) to an original expanded position (FIG. 41). Thereafter, the first andsecond tabs connectors connectors support member 552 is maintained in a configuration substantially as shown in FIG. 41. - Referring now to FIGS. 43 and 44, another embodiment of a
mechanism 577 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 in its expanded configuration is illustrated. In this embodiment, afirst tab 578 having a length greater than the radius of the openlower end 556 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 is connected to theperipheral sidewall 558 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 so as to be substantially adjacent the openlower end 556 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552; and asecond tab 580, also having a length greater than the radius of the openlower end 556 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 is connected to theperipheral sidewall 558 of the preformed shape-sustaining support member 552-so as to be substantially adjacent the openlower end 556 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 substantially as shown. - The
mechanism 577 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 further includes a strip of substantiallynon-elastic material 582 having a length substantially equal to the diameter of the openlower end 556 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552. The strip ofmaterial 582 is connected at oneend 584 to theperipheral sidewall 558 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 so as to be disposed between thecreases second end 586 of the strip ofmaterial 582 is connected to theperipheral sidewall 558 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 552 between thecreases material 582 is substantially normally disposed to the first andsecond tabs second tabs connectors second tabs connectors support member 552 is moved from its substantially flattened storage position (FIG. 44) to the expanded position (FIG. 43). Thereafter, the interconnected first andsecond tabs material 582 by aconnector 592 illustrated by phantom line in FIG. 43. - Referring now to FIGS. 45 and 46, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 594 for use in forming the flexible decorative vase is illustrated. Thefloral holding material 594 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 having an openupper end 598, an openlower end 600 and aperipheral sidewall 602 defining aninternal chamber 604 extending between the openupper end 598 and the openlower end 600. Because the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 is formed of a substantially rigid material, creases 606 and 608 are formed in theperipheral sidewall 602 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 when the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 is flattened for transportation and storage substantially as shown in FIG. 46. Since it is desirable to expand the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 to its substantially original configuration for use in the construction of the flexible vase, and becausecreases peripheral sidewall 602 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596, it is necessary to provide amechanism 610 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 in its expanded configuration when the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 has previously been flattened for transportation and storage. - The mechanism for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustaining
support member 596 in its expanded configuration is illustrated as comprising a plurality ofring members support member 596 by selectively moving the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 from a flattened storage position (FIG. 46) to an expanded position for use as a floral holding material (FIG. 45), the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 is expanded and thereafter thering member 612 is positioned adjacent theperipheral sidewall 602 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 so as to be disposed near the openlower end 600 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 and thering member 614 is positioned adjacent theperipheral sidewall 602 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 so as to be disposed near the openupper end 598 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 substantially as shown in FIG. 45. Thering members peripheral sidewall 602 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 596 by any suitable means, such as by frictional engagement or by application of an adhesive or cohesive. If desired, thering members mechanisms support member 552 in the expanded position. - Referring now to FIGS. 47 and 48, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 620 is illustrated. Thefloral holding material 620 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622 having an openupper end 624, an openlower end 626 and aperipheral sidewall 628 defining aninternal chamber 630 extending between the openupper end 624 and the openlower end 626. Because the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622 is formed of a substantially rigid material, creases 632 and 634 are formed in theperipheral sidewall 628 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622 when the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622 is flattened for transportation and storage substantially as shown in FIG. 48. Since it is desirable to expand the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622 to its substantially original configuration for use in the construction of a flexible vase, and because thecreases peripheral sidewall 628 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622 tend to distort the expanded configuration of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622, it is necessary to provide amechanism 636 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622 in its expanded configuration. - The
mechanism 636 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 662 in its expanded configuration comprises alocking tab 638 formed in theperipheral sidewall 628 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622 which is selectively movable into a portion of theinternal chamber 630 defined by theperipheral sidewall 628 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622. - The
locking tab 638 is formed by providing a pair of substantially parallel horizontallydisposed slits peripheral sidewall 628 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622. Thus, when the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622 is expanded from a flattened storage position (FIG. 48) to an expanded position for use as thefloral holding material 620, thelocking tab 638 is forced inwardly into theinternal chamber 630 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622 so as to stabilize the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 622 in its expanded position substantially as shown in FIG. 47. - Referring now to FIGS. 49 and 50, a
floral holding material 650 for use in forming a flexible decorative vase is illustrated. Thefloral holding material 650 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652 having an openupper end 654, an openlower end 656 and aperipheral sidewall 658 defining aninternal chamber 660 extending between the openupper end 654 and the openlower end 656. Because the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652 is formed of a substantially rigid material, creases 662 and 664 are formed in theperipheral sidewall 658 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652 when the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652 is flattened for transportation and storage substantially as shown in FIG. 50. Since it is desirable to expand the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652 to its substantially original configuration for use as thefloral holding material 650, and especially when used in the construction of a flexible vase, and becausecreases peripheral sidewall 658 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652, it is necessary to provide amechanism 665 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652 in its expanded configuration. - As shown in FIG. 50, a circumferentially disposed
groove 668 is formed in theperipheral sidewall 658 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652 so as to be disposed substantially intermediate the openupper end 654 and the openlower end 656 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652. An elastomeric member 670 (FIG. 49) is positioned within thegroove 668 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652 in its normal expanded position. It should, be noted that while thegroove 668 has been shown as being disposed substantially intermediate the openupper end 654 and the openlower end 656 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652, thegroove 668 can be formed in theperipheral sidewall 658 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652 at a variety of positions. Further, if desired, more than onegroove 668 can be formed in theperipheral sidewall 658 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 652 and the number ofelastomeric members 670 will correspond to the number ofgrooves 668 formed therein. - Referring now to FIG. 51, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 674 is illustrated. Thefloral holding material 674 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 676 having an openupper end 678, an openlower end 679, aperipheral sidewall 680 defining an internal chamber (not shown) which extends between the openupper end 678 and the openlower end 679. The preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 676 is thus substantially identical in construction to the preformed shape-sustainingmember 596 hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 45 and 46. Because the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 676 is formed of a substantially rigid material, creases such ascrease 682 are formed in theperipheral sidewall 680 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 676 when the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 676 is flattened for transportation and storage. Since it is desirable to expand the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 676 to its substantially original configuration for use as thefloral holding material 674, it is desirable to provide amechanism 684 whereby the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 676 can be stabilized in its original expanded configuration. - Thus, the preformed shape-sustaining
support member 676 is provided with a substantially double frustoconical cone-shapedstabilizer 686 having an outwardly flaredlower portion 688 and an outwardly flaredupper portion 690. The outwardly flaredlower portion 688 of the double frustoconical cone-shapedmember 686 is disposed over a portion of theperipheral sidewall 680 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 676 substantially adjacent the openupper end 678 thereof such that the outwardly flaredupper portion 690 extends above and outwardly from the openupper end 678 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 676 substantially as shown. Thus, the double frustoconical cone-shapedstabilizer 686, when disposed over an upper end portion of theperipheral sidewall 680 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 676, stabilizes the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 676 in its expanded position. - Referring now to FIGS. 52 and 53, a
floral holding material 696 is illustrated. Thefloral holding material 696 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingmember 698 having an openupper end 700, an openlower end 702 and aperipheral sidewall 704 defining aninternal chamber 706 extending between the openupper end 700 and the openlower end 702. The preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 698 is formed of a substantially rigid member having sufficient memory such that the preformed shape-sustainingmember 698 can be moved between a flattened condition (FIG. 53) and an expanded position (FIG. 52). Since it is desirable to flatten the preformed shape-sustainingmember 698 for transportation and storage, and since the preformed shape-sustainingmember 698 is formed of a material having sufficient memory to restore the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 698 to its expanded position, a lockingassembly 708 is provided for maintaining the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 698 in a flattened condition during transportation and storage. - The locking
assembly 708 comprises amale connector 710 and afemale connector 712. Themale connector 710 is disposed along a portion of theperipheral sidewall 704 so as to be opposite the position of thefemale connector 712 such that upon connecting themale connector 710 to thefemale connector 712, the preformed shape-sustainingmember 698 is secured in a folded position substantially as shown in FIG. 53. Themale connector 710 is illustrated as a lug orstud 714 which extends from theperipheral sidewall 704 of the preformed shape-sustainingmember 698 and into theinternal chamber 706 of the preformed shape-sustainingmember 698. Thefemale connector 712 is anaperture 716 formed in theperipheral sidewall 704 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 698 and positioned so as to matingly receive the lug orstud 714 when the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 698 is moved to its folded position. - Referring now to FIGS. 54 and 55, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 720 is illustrated. Thefloral holding material 720 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 having an openupper end 724, an openlower end 726 and aperipheral sidewall 728 defining aninternal chamber 730 extending between the openupper end 724 and the openlower end 726. Because the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 is formed of a substantially rigid material, creases 732 and 734 are formed in theperipheral sidewall 728 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 when the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 is flattened for transportation and storage substantially as shown in FIG. 55. Since it is desirable to expand the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 to its substantially original configuration for use in the construction of a flexible vase, and because thecreases peripheral sidewall 728 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 tend to distort the expanded configuration of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722, it is desirable to provide amechanism 736 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 in its desired expanded configuration. - The
mechanism 736 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 in the expanded configuration (FIG. 54) comprises afirst tab 738 formed in theperipheral sidewall 728 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 and asecond tab 740 formed in theperipheral sidewall 728 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 such that the first andsecond tabs distal end 742 of thefirst tab 738 and adistal end 744 of thesecond tab 740 terminate at thecrease 734 formed in theperipheral sidewall 728 of the preformed shape-sustainingmember 722. That is, thefirst tab 738 is defined by a pair of substantially parallel, horizontally disposedslits peripheral sidewall 738 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722; and thesecond tab 740 is defined by a pair of substantially parallel, horizontally disposedslits - When assembling the preformed shape-sustaining
support member 722 for use, one applies sufficient pressure along thecreases peripheral sidewall 728 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 so that the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 722 is moved from the flattened storage position (FIG. 55) to an expanded position (FIG. 54). Thereafter, the first andsecond tabs connectors support member 722 is secured in a configuration substantially as shown in FIG. 54. - Referring now to FIGS.56-58, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 760 is shown. Thefloral holding material 760 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762 having an openupper end 764, an openlower end 766 and aperipheral sidewall 767 defining aninternal chamber 768 extending between the openupper end 764 and the openlower end 766. Because the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762 is formed of a substantially rigid material, creases 770 and 772 are formed in theperipheral sidewall 767 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762 when the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762 is flattened for transportation and storage substantially as shown in FIGS. 57 and 58. Since it is desirable to expand the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762 to its substantially original configuration for use in the construction of a flexible vase, and because thecreases peripheral sidewall 766 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762 tend to distort the expanded configuration of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762, it is necessary to provide amechanism 774 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762 in its desired expanded configuration. - The
mechanism 774 for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762 in its expanded configuration comprises alocking tab 776 formed in theperipheral sidewall 767 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762. - The
locking tab 776 is formed by a pair of substantially parallel horizontallydisposed slits peripheral sidewall 766 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762. Thevertical slit 782 extending between the horizontally disposedslits crease 772 formed in theperipheral sidewall 766 of the preformed shape-sustaining support member as a result of flattening the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762 for transportation and storage. Adistal end 786 of thelocking tab 776 is provided with aslit 788 formed near thedistal end 786 of thelocking tab 776 via one of an upper edge or a lower edge of thelocking tab 776. Aslit 790 is formed in theperipheral sidewall 766 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762 in close proximity to thecrease 772; and theslit 790 is adapted to matingly receive thedistal end 786 of thelocking tab 776 so that theslit 788 formed near thedistal end 786 of thelocking tab 776 can be matingly engaged and secured to theperipheral sidewall 776 adjacent theslit 790 substantially as shown. Thus, to stabilize the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 762 in its substantially original configuration for use in the construction of a flexible vase as shown in FIG. 56, thelocking tab 776 is positioned across a portion of theinternal chamber 768 adjacent the slot formed by formation of thelocking tab 776 and thedistal end 786 is positioned through theslit 790 such that thelocking tab 776 is connected to the portion of the peripheral 766 adjacent theslit 790 substantially as shown. - Referring now to FIGS. 59 and 60, a
floral holding material 800 is shown. Thefloral holding material 800 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 802 having an openupper end 804, an openlower end 806 and aperipheral sidewall 808 defining aninternal chamber 810 extending between the openupper end 804 and the openlower end 806. A plurality of circumferen-tially extendingperforations 812 are formed in theperipheral sidewall 808 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 802 so as to be spatially disposed relative to each other and from the openupper end 804 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 802 substantially as shown. Thus, the overall height of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 802 can readily be reduced by tearing or cutting the preformed shape sustainingsupport member 802 along a selected one of the circumferentially extendingperforations 812. - Referring now to FIGS.61-63, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 820 is illustrated. Thefloral holding material 820 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 822 having an openupper end 824, an openlower end 826 and aperipheral sidewall 828 defining aninternal chamber 830 extending between the openupper end 824 and the openlower end 826. A circumferentially disposedgroove 832 is formed in theperipheral sidewall 828 so as to be disposed near the openupper end 824 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 822. Anelastic band 834, which is in a stretched condition, is positioned within the circumferentially disposedgroove 832 substantially as shown in FIGS. 61 and 62. - When utilizing the
floral holding material 820, stems 836 of a floral arrangement 838 are disposed into theinternal chamber 830 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 822 via the openupper end 824 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 822. When the stems 836 of the floral arrangement 838 have been properly positioned, theelastic band 834 is removed from the circumferen-tiallydisposed groove 832 formed in theperipheral sidewall 828 of the preformed shape-sustainingmember 822 and positioned about a portion of thestems 836 extending above the openupper end 824 of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 822 substantially as shown in FIG. 63. Because theelastic band 834 is in a stretched condition when disposed within the circumferentially disposedgroove 832, contraction of theband 834 about thestems 836 of the floral arrangement 838 secures the floral arrangement 838 in a substantially stable position when a sheet of flexible material (not shown) is wrapped about the preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 822 in the manner hereinbefore described to provide a flexible vase. - Referring now to FIG. 64, a plurality of preformed shape-sustaining support members, such as the preformed shape-sustaining
support members 822 are illustrated supported in adispenser 840 to facilitate storage of the preformed shape-sustainingsupport members 822, as well as to provide easy access to the preformed shape-sustainingsupport members 822. While thedispenser 840 is illustrated as containing the preformed shape-sustainingsupport members 822, it should be understood that any of the preformed shape-sustaining members hereinbefore described can likewise be disposed within a dispenser. Dispensers suitable for dispensing preformed shape-sustaining support members as hereinabove described are well known and have been used heretofore for dispensing cups. Thus, no further description of thedispenser 840 is believed necessary. - Referring now to FIG. 65, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 842 which can be employed in the fabrication of a flexible vase as hereinbefore described is illustrated. Thefloral holding material 842 comprises a preformed shape-sustainingsupport member 844 having an openupper end 846, an open lower end (not shown) and aperipheral sidewall 848 defining aninternal chamber 850 extending between the openupper end 846 and the open lower end (not shown). A plurality ofapertures 852 are provided in theperipheral sidewall 848 so as to be disposed about theperipheral sidewall 848 substantially as shown. Each of theapertures 850 is adapted to receive a stem portion (not shown) of a floral grouping for stabilizing the floral grouping relative to thefloral holding material 842. - Shown in FIG. 66 is an embodiment of a
flexible vase 854 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Theflexible vase 854 comprises a sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 wrapped about afloral holding material 858 and secured about thefloral holding material 858 by aband 860. As will be more fully described in detail hereinafter, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 and thefloral holding material 858 cooperate to define areservoir 862 in theflexible vase 854. Thus, to store floral groupings, such ascut flowers 864 havingstem portions 866 and bloomportions 868, thestem portions 866 of the cutflowers 864 are disposed into thereservoir 862 of theflexible vase 854 and thereservoir 862 is then filled with a suitable fluid, such as water. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 856 may be of any shape, such as a rectangle as shown in FIGS. 67 and 68, or a square or any other geometric configuration. Further, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of material as long as at least one of the sheets of material, preferably the sheet of material disposed substantially adjacent thefloral holding material 858, is impermeable to a fluid, such as water. When utilizing more than one layer of material as the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856, the sheets of material may be connected together, laminated or maintained as separate sheets of material. The thickness of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 can vary widely, the only requirements being that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 have sufficient strength so that theflexible vase 854 formed from thefloral holding material 858 and the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 is capable of holding water disposed in thereservoir 862 of theflexible vase 854 and to permit theflexible vase 854 to be transported and displayed, and that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 be wrappable about thefloral holding material 858 as described in detail hereinafter. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 856 is disposed about thefloral holding material 858 to form adecorative cover 870 about thefloral holding material 858. Thedecorative cover 870 extends a distance above thefloral holding material 858 such that anupper end portion 872 of thefloral holding material 858 remains substantially uncovered by thedecorative cover 870. Thus, when a floral grouping, such ascut flowers 864, is positioned within thereservoir 862 of theflexible vase 854, an upper portion of thestem portions 866 and thebloom portions 868 of the cutflowers 864 extend outwardly from theupper end portion 872 of thefloral holding material 858. - A crimped
portion 874 can be formed in thedecorative cover 870 near theupper end portion 872 of thefloral holding material 858. The crimpedportion 874, which extends a distance inwardly, can be formed by crimping together portions of thedecorative cover 870. The crimpedportion 874 can also be formed by placing theband 860 about a portion of thedecorative cover 870, in which case theband 860 gathers or brings together portions of thedecorative cover 870 and pulls portions of thedecorative cover 870 toward theupper end portion 872 of thefloral holding material 858 to form the crimpedportion 874 substantially as shown. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 856 may also have a bonding material (not shown) disposed thereon for connecting adjacently disposed portions of thedecorative cover 870 forming the crimpedportion 874. More particularly, the bonding material may be disposed on at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface (not shown) of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 so as to be disposed a distance radially from a central portion of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856. The bonding material, which can be in the form of a continuous strip or spots or spaced apart strips or of any geometric design is desirably a pressure sensitive adhesive or a cohesive. However, if desired, the crimpedportion 874 of thedecorative cover 870 could be connected by the use of heat sealing, a heat sealing lacquer which may be applied to the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 and which requires heat to effect the bonding, or any other type of material which may be used to effect bonding of adjacently disposed portions of thedecorative cover 870 defining thecrimped portion 874. - Referring more specifically to FIGS. 67 and 68, the
floral holding material 858 is a substantially frustoconical shape-sustaining support member 876 (FIG. 66) (which is also referred to herein as the shape-sustaining support member 876) formed of a sheet offlexible material 878 which has sufficient flexibility to permit the sheet offlexible material 878 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 876, which also has sufficient strength to provide the required shape-sustaining properties to the shape-sustainingsupport member 876 and which is sufficiently water resistant to prevent deterioration of the shape-sustainingsupport member 876 when contacted with a fluid, such as water. The shape-sustainingsupport member 876 formed from the sheet offlexible material 878 is identical in construction to the shape-sustainingsupport member 140 hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 15. The sheet offlexible material 878 is disposed on the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 in a preselected location such that, upon forming the sheet offlexible material 878 into the shape-sustainingsupport member 876, the shape-sustainingsupport member 876 is substantially centrally positioned on and secured to the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856. - The sheet of
flexible material 878 has anupper side 880 having a centrally disposedrecess 882, alower side 884, afirst end portion 886 and asecond end portion 888 which cooperate to provide the sheet offlexible material 878 with a substantially semi-circular configuration. The sheet offlexible material 878 is connected to the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 so that, upon forming the sheet offlexible material 878 into the shape-sustainingsupport member 876, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 can be easily wrapped about the shape-sustainingsupport member 876 to form theflexible vase 854. Thelower side 884 of the sheet offlexible material 878 may be connected to the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 by a strip oftape 890 or other suitable bonding means substantially as shown in FIG. 67, or the sheet of flexible material-878 may be connected to the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 by an adhesive 892 disposed between the sheet offlexible material 878 and the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 such that the adhesive 892 extends along a central portion of the sheet offlexible material 878 between the centrally disposedrecess 882 formed in theupper side 880 of the sheet offlexible material 878 and thelower side 884 of the sheet offlexible material 878 as shown in FIG. 68. - The sheet of
flexible material 878 is further provided with aconnector assembly 894 for connecting thefirst end portion 886 of the sheet offlexible material 878 to thesecond end portion 888 of the sheet offlexible material 878 when the sheet offlexible material 878 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 876. Theconnector assembly 894 comprises amale connector 896 disposed along theupper side 880 of the sheet offlexible material 878 and a plurality offemale connectors 898 disposed in thesecond end portion 888 of the sheet offlexible material 878 such that at least onefemale connector 898 is adapted to matingly receive themale connector 896 and thereby connect thefirst end portion 886 of the sheet offlexible material 878 to thesecond end portion 888 of the sheet offlexible material 878 and thus provide the shape-sustainingsupport member 876. - Once the shape-sustaining
support member 876 has been formed, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 856 is then extended about a peripheral sidewall (not shown) of the shape-sustainingsupport member 876 to provide theflexible vase 854 shown in FIG. 66. - Shown in FIG. 69 is an embodiment of a
flexible vase 902 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Theflexible vase 902 comprises a sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 wrapped about afloral holding material 906. As will be more fully described in detail hereinafter, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 and thefloral holding material 906 cooperate to define areservoir 908 in theflexible vase 902. Thus, to store floral groupings, such as cut flowers (not shown) stem portions of the cut flowers are disposed into thereservoir 908 of theflexible vase 902 and thereservoir 908 is then filled with a suitable fluid, such as water. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 904 is shown as having a configuration of a square. However, it should be understood that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 may be of any shape such as a rectangle or any other geometric configuration. Further, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of material as long as at least one of the sheets of material, preferably the sheet of material disposed substantially adjacent thefloral holding material 906 is impermeable to a fluid, such as water. When utilizing more than one layer of material as the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904, the sheets of material may be connected together, laminated or maintained as separate sheets of material. The thickness of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 can vary widely, the only requirements being that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 have sufficient strength so that theflexible vase 902 formed from thefloral holding material 906 and the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 is capable of holding water disposed in thereservoir 908 of theflexible vase 902. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 904 is disposed about thefloral holding material 906 to form adecorative cover 910 about thefloral holding material 906. Thedecorative cover 910 extends a distance above thefloral holding material 906 such that anupper end portion 912 of thefloral holding material 906 remains substantially uncovered by thedecorative cover 910. - A crimped
portion 914 is formed in thedecorative cover 910 generally above thefloral holding material 906 substantially as shown in FIG. 69. The crimpedportion 914 is formed by crimping together portions of thedecorative cover 910 and thecrimped portions 914 can be secured together by a bonding material, such as a plurality of strips of an adhesive or cohesive 916 as illustrated in FIG. 70. - Referring now to FIG. 70, the
floral holding material 906 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 918 formed of abase 920 and a plurality of radially extendingarms 922. Theradially extending arms 922 are connected to the base 920 such that theradially extending arms 922 can be pivoted in an upward direction. For example, scorelines 923 can be provided between the base 920 and theradially extending arms 922 to facilitate the desired pivotal movement of theradially extending arms 922. It should be understood that while the shape-sustainingsupport member 918 is illustrated as having four radially extendingarms 922, the number of radially extendingarms 922 can vary and the number of radially extendingarms 922 will depend on the configuration of theflexible vase 902. That is, three or more radially extendingarms 922 can be used in the formation of the shape-sustainingsupport member 918. - The
base 920 and theradially extending arms 922 are formed of a flexible material, such as a plastic material, waterproof cardboard and the like. Thebase 920 and at least a portion of theradially extending arms 922 near adistal end portion 924 of theradially extending arms 922 are secured to the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 so that thebase 920 is substantially centrally disposed thereon. The sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 is gathered about the base 920 to provide an excess amount of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 about the base 920 such that when theradially extending arms 922 are moved to an upwardly extending position to provide the shape-sustainingsupport member 918 with a predetermined configuration, the excess of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 prevents the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 from tearing or becoming disconnected from theradially extending arms 922. Once theradially extending arms 922 have moved to an upwardly extending position as shown in phantom in FIG. 69, aconnector assembly 925 is connected to thedistal end portion 924 of each of theradially extending arms 922 so that theradially extending arms 922 are interconnected and stabilized in the upright position. - The
connector assembly 925 comprises a stud orshank 926 formed on thedistal end portion 924 of each of theradially extending arms 922 and aflexible strap member 928 having a plurality of spatially disposedopenings 930 formed therein such that, in a connected position, each of the studs orshanks 926 provided on thedistal end portion 924 of theradially extending arms 922 are disposed in anopening 930 of thestrap member 928. - To form the
flexible vase 902 shown in FIG. 69, one selectively moves theradially extending arm 922 to a properly disposed position and thereafter secures theflexible strap member 928 to thestuds 926 on thedistal end portion 924 of each of theradially extending arms 922. By selectively moving theradially extending arms 922 in an upward position, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 is formed about the shape-sustaining support member 918 (i.e. thebase 920 and the radially extending arms 922). Thedistal end portions 924 of theradially extending arms 922 are then interconnected by theflexible strap member 928 and the crimpedportion 914 is formed in thedecorative cover 910 by crimping together portions of thedecorative cover 910 whereby thecrimped portions 914 are secured together by thebonding material 916 disposed on the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904. - The
bonding material 916 is shown in FIG. 70 as a plurality of arcuate shaped strips positioned on the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 904 so as to be disposed in close proximity to thedistal end portion 924 of each of theradially extending arms 922. However, it should be understood that thebonding material 916 can be in the form of a continuous strip as shown in FIG. 11, or as a plurality of spatially disposed spots. - Shown in FIG. 71 is another embodiment of a
flexible vase 932 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Theflexible vase 932 comprises a sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 wrapped about afloral holding material 936. The sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 and thefloral holding material 936 cooperate to define areservoir 938 in theflexible vase 932. Thus, to store floral groupings, such as cut flowers (not shown), stem portions of the cut flowers are disposed into thereservoir 938 of theflexible vase 932 and thereservoir 938 is then filled with a suitable fluid, such as water. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 934 is shown as having a substantially square configuration. However, it should be understood that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 may be of any shape, such as a rectangle or any other geometric configuration. Further, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of material as long as at least one of the sheets of material, preferably the sheet of material disposed adjacent thefloral holding material 936, is impermeable to a fluid, such as water. When utilizing more than one layer of material as the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934, the sheets of material may be connected together, laminated or maintained as separate sheets of material. The thickness of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 can vary widely, the only requirements being that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 have sufficient strength so that theflexible vase 932 formed from thefloral holding material 936 and the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 is capable of holding water disposed in thereservoir 938 of theflexible vase 932. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 934 is disposed about thefloral holding material 936 to form adecorative cover 940 about thefloral holding material 936. Thedecorative cover 940 extends a distance above thefloral holding material 936 such that anupper end portion 942 of thefloral holding material 936 remains substantially uncovered. - A crimped
portion 944 is formed in thedecorative cover 940 generally above thefloral holding material 936 substantially as shown in FIG. 71. The crimpedportion 944 is formed by crimping together portions of thedecorative cover 940 formed of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 and thecrimped portions 944 are secured together by a bonding material, such as an adhesive or cohesive 946 as illustrated in FIG. 72. - Referring now to FIG. 72, the
floral holding material 936 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 948 formed of abase 950 and a plurality of substantially parabolically shaped radially extendingarms 952. Theradially extending arms 952 are connected to the base 950 such that theradially extending arms 952 can be pivoted in an upward direction. It should be understood that while the shape-sustainingsupport member 948 is illustrated as having four substantially parabolically shaped radially extendingarms 952, the number of radially extendingarms 952 can vary and the number of radially extendingarms 952 will depend on the configuration of theflexible vase 932. That is, three or more substantially parabolically shaped radially extendingarms 952 can be used in the formation of the shape-sustainingsupport member 948. Thebase 950 and theradially extending arms 952 are formed of a flexible shape-sustaining material, such as a plastic material, water-proof cardboard and the like. Thebase 950 and adistal end portion 954 of each of theradially extending arms 952 are secured to the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 so that thebase 950 is substantially centrally disposed thereon. The sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 is provided with a gatheredportion 955 of the fluidimpermeable material 940 between the base 950 and thedistal end portions 954 of theradially extending arms 952 such that when theradially extending arms 952 are moved to an upwardly extending position during formation of the shape-sustainingsupport member 948, the excess of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 prevents the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 from tearing or becoming disconnected from theradially extending arms 952. Once theradially extending arms 952 have been moved to an upwardly extending position as shown in phantom in FIG. 71, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 is crimped above thedistal end portions 954 of theradially extending arms 952 such that the bonding material disposed on the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 substantially adjacent thedistal end portions 954 of theradially extending arms 952 bonds the crimpedportion 944 and thedistal end portions 954 of each of theradially extending arms 952 so as to secure theradially extending arms 952 in the desired upright position. - When it is desired to provide a stack of sheets of fluid
impermeable material 934 having the shape-sustainingsupport member 948 disposed thereon in a non-assembled condition, one can readily utilize a release material disposed between each of the sheets of fluidimpermeable material 934 forming the stack to ensure that thebonding material 946 does not adhere to an adjacently disposed sheet of fluidimpermeable material 934 thereby enhancing removal of individual sheets of fluidimpermeable material 934 from the stack of such materials. - Shown in FIG. 73 is another embodiment of a
flexible vase 960 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Theflexible vase 960 comprises a sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962 wrapped about afloral holding material 964. As will be more fully described in detail hereinafter, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962 and thefloral holding material 964 cooperate to define areservoir 968 in theflexible vase 960. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 962 may be of any shape, such as a square as shown in FIG. 74, a rectangle, or any other geometric configuration. Further, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of material as long as at least one of the sheets of material, preferably the sheet of material disposed adjacent thefloral holding material 964, is impermeable to a fluid, such as water. When utilizing more than one layer of material as the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962, the sheets of material may be connected together, laminated or maintained as separate sheets of material. The thickness of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962 can vary widely, the only requirements being that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962 have sufficient strength so that theflexible vase 960 formed from thefloral holding material 964 and the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962 is capable of holding water disposed in thereservoir 968 of theflexible vase 960 and to permit floral groups disposed in theflexible vase 960 to be transported and displayed, and that the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962 be wrappable about thefloral holding material 964 as described in detail hereinafter. - While the sheet of fluid
impermeable material 962 has been shown in FIG. 74 as a single sheet of material, it should be understood that a pad of sheets of fluidimpermeable material 962 may be utilized to enhance assembly of a plurality offlexible vases 960, or a roll of fluidimpermeable material 962 may be provided so that the sheets of fluidimpermeable material 962 can readily be obtained by cutting a sheet of material from the roll of material or by providing perforations in the roll of material to facilitate removal of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962. - Referring now to FIG. 74, the
floral holding material 964 comprises a plurality of substantially triangularly shapedsupport members 972 secured to anupper surface 974 of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962 with a suitable bonding material (not shown). The triangularly shapedsupport members 972 cooperate to provide thefloral holding material 964 with a substantially square shapedouter periphery 976 which is disposed adistance 978 from anouter periphery 980 of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962. Thus, a substantially square-shapedopening 982 is provided between the triangularly shapedsupport members 972. - To secure the triangularly shaped
support members 972 in an upwardly extending position to provide the configuration of theflexible vase 960, abonding material 984 is disposed on theupper surface 974 of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962 so as to extend along a portion of a first and asecond side impermeable material 962 and substantially adjacent a portion of theouter periphery 980 of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962, and adistance 990 from the adjacently disposed triangularly shapedsupport members 972; and abonding material 992 is disposed on theupper surface 974 of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962 so as to extend along a portion of a third andfourth side impermeable material 962 and substantially adjacent a portion of theouter periphery 980 of the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 962, and adistance 998 from the adjacently disposed triangularly shapedsupport members 972. Thebonding material impermeable material 962 disposed above the triangularly shapedsupport members 972 when same are moved to an upwardly extending position to provide thefloral holding material 964 of theflexible vase 960 substantially as shown in FIG. 73. - The
bonding material support members 972 in the desired form of thefloral holding material 964. - Shown in FIG. 75 is another embodiment of a
flexible vase 1000 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Theflexible vase 1000 comprises a sheet of fluidimpermeable material 1002 wrapped about afloral holding material 1004 and secured about thefloral holding material 1004 by aband 1006. As will be more fully described in detail hereinafter, the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 1002 and thefloral holding material 1004 cooperate to define areservoir 1008 in theflexible vase 1000. Thus, to store floral groupings, such ascut flowers 1010 havingstem portions 1012 and bloom portions 1014, thestem portions 1012 of thecut flowers 1010 are disposed into thereservoir 1008 of theflexible vase 1000 and thereservoir 1008 is then filled with a suitable fluid, such as water. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 1002 which is substantially identical in construction as the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 hereinbefore described in detail with reference to FIG. 11, is disposed about thefloral holding material 1004 to form adecorative cover 1018 about thefloral holding material 1004. Thedecorative cover 1018 extends a distance above thefloral holding material 1004 such that anupper end portion 1020 of thefloral holding material 1004 remains substantially uncovered by thedecorative cover 1018. Thus, when a floral grouping such ascut flowers 1010 is positioned within thereservoir 1008 of theflexible vase 1000, an upper portion of thestem portions 1012 and the bloom portions 1014 of thecut flowers 1010 extend outwardly from theupper end portion 1020 of thefloral holding material 1004. - A crimped
portion 1022 can be formed in thedecorative cover 1018 near theupper end portion 1020 of thefloral holding material 1004. The crimpedportion 1022 can be formed by crimping together portions of thedecorative cover 1018. The crimpedportion 1022 can also be formed by placing theband 1006 about a portion of thedecorative cover 1018, in which case theband 1006 gathers or brings together portions of thedecorative cover 1018 and pulls portions of thedecorative cover 1018 toward theupper end portion 1020 of thefloral holding material 1004 to form the crimpedportion 1022 substantially as shown. The sheet of fluidimpermeable material 1002 may also have a bonding material (not shown) disposed thereon for connecting adjacently disposed portions of thedecorative cover 1018 forming the crimpedportion 1022. - Referring more specifically to FIG. 76, the
floral holding material 1004 comprises a substantially frusto conical shape-sustaining support member 1024 (also referred to herein as the shape-sustaining support member 1024). The shape-sustainingsupport member 1024 has an openupper end 1025, an openlower end 1026 and aperipheral sidewall 1027 defining aninternal chamber 1028 extending between the openupper end 1025 and the openlower end 1026. Thefloral holding material 1004 further has aflexible bag 1029 disposed within theinternal chamber 1028 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024, theflexible bag 1029 and thefloral holding material 1004 together comprise aflexible vase 1000. - The shape-sustaining
support member 1024 is fabricated of a sheet of flexible material 1036 (FIG. 77) which has sufficient flexibility to permit the sheet offlexible material 1036 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024 and which also has sufficient strength to provide the required shape-sustaining properties to the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024. The thickness of the sheet offlexible material 1036 can vary widely, the only requirements being that the sheet offlexible material 1036 have sufficient strength and flexibility to satisfy the above requirements. Examples of materials possessing the above-identified properties which may be used as the sheet offlexible material 1036 for fabrication of the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024 are polymeric materials, metals, waterproof cardboards and the like. - The sheet of
flexible material 1036 has anupper side 1038 having a centrally disposedrecess 1040, alower side 1042, afirst end portion 1044 and asecond end portion 1046 which cooperate to provide the sheet offlexible material 1036 with a substantially semi-circular configuration. Theflexible bag 1029 is desirably secured to anupper surface 1048 of the sheet offlexible material 1036 with a suitable bonding material such that when the sheet offlexible material 1036 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024, a lower end orbottom wall 1050 of theflexible bag 1029 is substantially aligned with the openlower end 1026 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024 on anupper end portion 1052 of theflexible bag 1029 extends outwardly from the openupper end 1025 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024 substantially as shown in FIG. 76. - The sheet of
flexible material 1036 is further provided with aconnector assembly 1054 for connecting the first andsecond end portions flexible material 1036 when the sheet offlexible material 1036 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024 substantially as shown in FIG. 76. Theconnector assembly 1054 comprises a male connector. 1056 disposed along theupper side 1038 of the sheet offlexible material 1036 and a plurality offemale connectors 1058 formed in thesecond end portion 1046 of the sheet offlexible material 1036 such that at least onefemale connector 1058 is adapted to matingly receive themale connector 1056 and thereby connect thefirst end portion 1044 of the sheet offlexible material 1036 to thesecond end portion 1046 of the sheet ofmaterial 1036. Themale connector 1056 has afirst tab member 1057 a and asecond tab member 1057 b. - The plurality of
female connectors 1058 are illustrated as spatially disposed slits provided in thesecond end portion 1046 of the sheet of material 1036 so that each of thefemale connectors 1058 is alignable with themale connector 1056 when thefirst end portion 1044 of the sheet offlexible material 1036 is disposed over thesecond end portion 1046 of the sheet offlexible material 1036 during formation of the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024. Thus, upon inserting themale connector 1056 into a selectedfemale connector 1058, the circumferential dimensions of the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024 can be varied (adjusted). - Once the sheet of
flexible material 1036 has been formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024 as described above with theupper end portion 1052 of theflexible bag 1029 extending from the openupper end 1025 of the shape-sustainingsupport member 1024, the flexible vase 1030 can be - Referring now to FIG. 78, another embodiment of a
flexible vase 1060 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Theflexible vase 1060 comprises a sheet of fluidimpermeable material 1062 wrapped about a self-erectingfloral holding container 1064. The sheet of fluidimpermeable material 1062 and the self-erectingfloral holding container 1064 cooperate to define areservoir 1066 in theflexible vase 1060 which is capable of holding a fluid, such as water. The sheet of fluidimpermeable material 1062 is substantially identical in construction as the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 62 herein before described in detail with reference to FIG. 11. - The sheet of fluid
impermeable material 1062 is disposed about thefloral holding container 1064 to form adecorative cover 1068 about thefloral holding container 1064 which extends a distance above thefloral holding container 1064 such that anopening 1070 formed in anupper end 1072 of thefloral holding container 1064 remains substantially uncovered by thedecorative cover 1068. - A crimped
portion 1074 can be provided in thedecorative cover 1068 near theupper end 1072 of thefloral holding container 1064. The crimpedportion 1074 can be formed by crimping together portions of thedecorative cover 1068 and, if desired, the crimped portion can be connected with a suitable bonding material such as a cohesive 1075 (FIG. 80). Thecrimped portions 1074 can also be found by placing a band (not shown) about a portion of thedecorative cover 1068 in which case the band gathers or brings together portions of thedecorative cover 1068 to form the crimpedportion 1074. - Referring now to FIGS. 79 and 80, the self-erecting
floral holding container 1064 is illustrated in a collapsed position disposed on the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 1062. The self-erectingfloral holding container 1064 comprises atop member 1076, abottom member 1078, a plurality of wall members (only one being designated by the reference numeral 1080), abracket 1082 and a plurality of elastic members (only one being designated by the reference numeral 1084). - Each
wall member 1080 has atop hinge 1086, awall hinge 1088 and abottom hinge 1090. Eachtop hinge 1086 allows thecorresponding wall member 1080 to pivot with respect to thetop member 1076. Eachwall hinge 1088 allows thecorresponding wall member 1080 to bend outward and define anupper wall section 1092 and alower wall section 1094. Similarly, eachbottom hinge 1090 allows thecorresponding wall member 1080 to pivot with respect to thebottom member 1078 of thefloral holding container 1064. - With this construction, the
floral holding container 1064 may assume an erected position (FIG. 78) when an external force applied to thetop member 1076 is removed and a flat position (FIGS. 79 and 80) when an external force is applied to thetop member 1076. In the erected position, thefloral holding container 1064 is suitable for receiving a floral grouping, such as cut flowers. In the storage position, thewall members 1080 of thefloral holding container 1064 are collapsed such that thefloral holding container 1064 is substantially flat (FIG. 79). In the storage position, thetop member 1076 and thebottom member 1078 of thefloral holding container 1064 are moved together and eachupper wall section 1092 closely overlays the correspondinglower wall section 1094. - Each
elastic member 1084 extends between a corresponding one of thewall members 1080 and thebracket 1082 to suspend thebracket 1082 within thefloral holding container 1064. Thebracket 1082 has abracket opening 1096 which may be any suitable size and shape for allowing a floral grouping to be disposed into thefloral holding container 1064. - Each
elastic member 1084 may be connected to thebracket 1082 and-thecorresponding wall member 1080 in any appropriate manner known in the art. Further, eachelastic member 1084 may be connected to theupper wall section 1092, thelower wall section 1094, or both the upper andlower wall sections corresponding wall member 1080. - The
elastic members 1080 and thebracket 1082 cooperate to bias thefloral holding container 1064 into the erected position (FIG. 78). Under an external force to overcome the bias of theelastic members 1080, thefloral holding container 1064 may be collapsed into the flat storage position (FIGS. 79 and 80) wherein thewall members 1080 moves outward at the wall hinges 1088 and theelastic members 1084 are moved to a stretched condition so that thefloral holding container 1064 is moved to the collapsed position. - When the external force (i.e. a bias-overcoming influence) is removed, the
elastic members 1084 return to the unstretched condition and cause thefloral holding container 1064 to move to the erected position. The sheet of fluidimpermeable material 1062 is then wrapped about thefloral holding container 1064 to produce theflexible vase 1060 shown in FIG. 78. - It should be noted that a quantity of the
floral holding containers 1064 having a sheet of the fluidimpermeable material 1062 secured to thebottom member 1078 as illustrated in FIGS. 79 and 80 can be compressed into the flat storage position, stacked and shipped, or stored in a suitable shipping box. Further, one of thefloral holding containers 1064 having the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 1062 secured to thebottom member 1078 of thefloral holding container 1064 may be stored in the flat storage position within a sleeve similar to a phonograph record album cover. - The
floral holding container 1064 having the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 1062 secured thereto may be maintained in a box or shelving having a plurality of mail-slot shelves. When withdrawn from the mail-slot shelf, thefloral holding container 1064 automatically assumes the erected position and the sheet of fluidimpermeable material 1062 can be wrapped about thefloral holding container 1064 to provide theflexible vase 1060. It should be appreciated that any suitable devices known in the art may be used for theelastic members 1084 as the means for biasing thefloral holding container 1064 into the erected position. Such devices include, but are not limited to, rubber bands, coiled springs and flat springs. - Further, the
top member 1076, thebottom member 1078 and thewall member 1080 of thefloral holding container 1064 may be constructed of a wide variety of materials, such as paper, cardboard, wood, metal, polypropylene and various types of natural and synthetic materials, provided, such materials having enough rigidity to sustain thefloral holding container 1064 in the appropriate shape for the erected position. - Shown in FIG. 81 is another embodiment of a
flexible vase 1110 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Theflexible vase 1110 comprises afloral holding material 1112 disposed within aflexible bag 1114 formed of a fluid impermeable material which functions as a decorative cover for thefloral holding material 1112. As will be more fully described hereinafter, theflexible bag 1114 and thefloral holding material 1112 cooperate to define areservoir 1116 in theflexible vase 1110. Theflexible bag 1114 extends a distance above thefloral holding material 1112 such that anupper end portion 1118 of thefloral holding material 1112 remains substantially uncovered by theflexible bag 1114. Thus, when a floral grouping such as cut flowers (not shown) is positioned within thereservoir 1116 of theflexible vase 1110, a portion of the floral grouping extends outwardly from theupper end portion 1118 of thefloral holding material 1112 and an outertop margin 1120 of theflexible bag 1114. - The
flexible bag 1114 is provided with abottom panel 1122 that is preferably formed by a plurality of panel sections which are joined along with lateral edges of the side panel forming theflexible bag 1114 in order to form bellows that conform to the shape of alower end 1124 of thefloral holding material 1112. The side panels of theflexible bag 1114 then provide a more tubular bag sidewall which can extend upwardly from thebottom panel 1122 to terminate at the outertop margin 1120 of theflexible bag 1114. A fastener (not shown) can then be placed about theflexible bag 1114 so as to be disposed above theupper end portion 1118 of thefloral holding material 1112 such that theupper end portion 1118 of thefloral holding material 1112 remains substantially uncovered by theflexible bag 1114. If desired, a bonding material such as an adhesive or a cohesive may be disposed on an inner or outer surface of theflexible bag 1114 so that a portion of theflexible bag 1114 can be crimped in the manner hereinbefore described. - The
floral holding material 1112 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 1122 having an openupper end 1124, an openlower end 1126, and aperipheral sidewall 1128 defining an internal chamber extending between the openupper end 1124 and the openlower end 1126. The shape-sustainingsupport member 1122 is fabricated of a sheet of flexible material 1130 (FIG. 82) which has sufficient flexibility to permit the sheet offlexible material 1130 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 1122 and which also has sufficient strength to provide the required shape-sustaining properties to the shape-sustainingsupport member 1122. The thickness of the flexible sheet of material 1130 can vary widely. The only requirement being that the sheet offlexible material 1130 has sufficient strength and flexibility to satisfy the above requirements. - The sheet of
flexible material 1130 is secured within theflexible bag 1114 by a bonding material, such as a plurality of strips of adhesive 1132. A portion of the bag is gathered between theadhesive strips 1132 such that when the flexible sheet ofmaterial 1130 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 1122, theflexible bag 1114 extends substantially uniformly thereabout. - The flexible sheet of
material 1130 has anupper side 1134 having a centrally disposedrecess 1136, alower side 1138; a first end portion 1140, and asecond end portion 1142, which cooperate to provide the sheet offlexible material 1130 with a substantially semi-circular configuration. The sheet offlexible material 1130 is further provided with aconnector assembly 1144 for connecting the first andsecond end portions 1140 and 1142 of the flexible sheet ofmaterial 1130 when the sheet offlexible material 1130 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 1122, substantially as shown in FIG. 81. - The
connector assembly 1144 comprises a plurality of spatially disposedmale connectors 1146 and a plurality of spatially disposedfemale connectors 1148 adapted to matingly receive themale connectors 1146 when the first end portion 1140 of the sheet offlexible material 1130 is disposed over thesecond end portion 1142 of the sheet offlexible material 1130. The plurality ofmale connectors 1146 extend between the centrally disposedrecess 1136 and the first end portion 1140 of the sheet offlexible material 1130 such that themale connectors 1146 are disposed in close proximity to the portion of theupper side 1134 of the sheet offlexible material 1130. The plurality offemale connectors 1148 extend along thesecond end portion 1142 of the sheet offlexible material 1130 such that thefemale connectors 1148 are adapted to matingly engage themale connectors 1146 when the first end portion 1140 of the sheet offlexible material 1130 is disposed over thesecond end portion 1142 thereof. - The
male connectors 1146 are desirably a plurality of stud like members which extend upwardly from anupper surface 1150 of the sheet ofmaterial 1130; and the plurality offemale connectors 1148 are desirably provided with a recessed portion (not shown) adapted to matingly receive the stud-like members of themale connectors 1146. Such connector assemblies are well known in the art. Thus, no further details concerning themale connectors 1146 and thefemale connectors 1148 are believed necessary. - To assemble the
flexible vase 1110, the flexible sheet ofmaterial 1130 is manipulated so that the first end portion 1140 of the sheet offlexible material 1130 overlays thesecond portion 1142 thereof and themale connectors 1146 are aligned with selectedfemale connectors 1148. Thereafter, themale connectors 1146 are pressed into mating engagement with thefemale connectors 1148 so that the flexible sheet ofmaterial 1130 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 1122 within theflexible bag 1114. Thus, a one step operation is provided for constructing theflexible vase 1110. - Referring now to FIGS. 83 and 84, another embodiment of a
floral holding material 1160 is shown which can be used to construct a flexible vase similar in configuration to theflexible vase 120 hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 14. Thefloral holding material 1160 comprises a shape-sustainingsupport member 1162 having an openupper end 1164, an openlower end 1166 and aperipheral sidewall 1168 defining an internal chamber 0.1170 extending between the openupper end 1164 and the openlower end 1166. The shape-sustainingsupport member 1162 is fabricated of a sheet of flexible material 1172 (FIG. 84) which has sufficient flexibility to permit the sheet offlexible material 1172 to be formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 1162. - The sheet of
flexible material 1172 has anupper side 1174 having a centrally disposedrecess 1176, alower side 1178, afirst end portion 1180 and asecond end portion 1182 which cooperate to provide the sheet offlexible material 1172 with a substantially semi-circular configuration. The sheet offlexible material 1172 is further provided with aconnector assembly 1184 for connecting thefirst end portion 1180 of the sheet offlexible material 1172 to thesecond end portion 1182 of the sheet offlexible material 1172 when the sheet offlexible material 1172 is formed into the shape-sustainingsupport member 1160 as shown in FIG. 83. - The
connector assembly 1184 comprises a plurality offirst tabs 1186 and a plurality ofsecond tabs 1188. Thefirst tabs 1186 are formed along a peripheral portion of the sheet offlexible material 1172 such that thefirst tabs 1186 extend along thefirst end portion 1180 and thesecond end portion 1182 of the sheet offlexible material 1172 substantially as shown; and thesecond tabs 1188 extend about the centrally disposedrecess 1176 found in theupper side 1174 of the sheet offlexible material 1172. - To form the sheet of
flexible material 1172 into the shape-sustaining support member 1160 (FIG. 83) for use in the construction of a flexible vase, thefirst end portion 1180 of the sheet offlexible material 1172 is positioned over thesecond end portion 1182 of the sheet offlexible material 1172 such that at least a portion of thefirst tabs 1186 formed along thefirst end portion 1180 of the sheet offlexible material 1172 are aligned with and disposed adjacent a portion of thefirst tabs 1186 found along thesecond end portion 1182 of the sheet offlexible material 1172 and a portion of thesecond tabs 1188 found along one side of the centrally disposedrecess 1176 overlap and are aligned with a portion of thesecond tabs 1188 found along a second side of the centrally disposedrecess 1176. At least a portion of the alignedfirst tabs 1186 and at least a portion of the alignedsecond tabs 1188 are bent or extended in an inwardly direction (FIG. 83) so as to connect thefirst end portion 1180 of the sheet offlexible material 1172 to thesecond end portion 1182 of the sheet offlexible material 1172 and thereby provide the shape-sustainingsupport member 1162 substantially as shown in FIG. 83. - Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various components, elements and assemblies described herein and changes may be made in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. (Currently Amended) A decorative assembly, comprising:
a shape-sustaining support member having an open upper end, an open lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending between the open upper end and the open lower end of the shape-sustaining support member, the peripheral sidewall having a plurality of pleats extending from the open upper end of the shape-sustaining support member and terminating a distance from the open lower end thereof, the shape-sustaining support member comprising a substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material having an upper side containing a centrally disposed recess, a lower side, a first end portion, a second end portion and a plurality of score lines formed in at least one surface of the semi-circular shaped sheet of material and extending radially from the centrally disposed recess in the direction of the first end portion, the lower side and the second end portion such that, upon forming the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of material into the shape-sustaining support member and connecting the first end portion to the second end portion of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material, the shape-sustaining support member so formed is provided with a substantially frusto conical configuration;
a decorative cover formed from a sheet of fluid impermeable material disposed about the shape-sustaining support member, the sheet of fluid impermeable material being sized such that when the decorative cover is formed about the shape-sustaining support member from the sheet of fluid impermeable material a portion of the decorative cover extends a distance above the open upper end of the shape-sustaining support member, the decorative cover formed from the sheet of fluid impermeable material cooperating with the internal chamber of the shape-sustaining support member to define a reservoir for confining liquid when same is disposed about the stem portion of flowers supported within the internal chamber of the shape-sustaining support member; and
a securing element for securing the decorative cover about the shape-sustaining support member while maintaining at least a portion of the open upper end of the-shape-sustaining support member substantially uncovered by the decorative cover.
2. The decorative assembly of claim 1 , wherein the securing element is a band.
3. The decorative assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the pleats formed in the peripheral sidewall of the shape-sustaining support member are bonded to an underlying portion of the peripheral sidewall.
4. The decorative assembly of claim 1 , wherein the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material is constructed of a polymeric material.
5. The decorative assembly of claim 1 , wherein the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material further comprises at least one male connector provided on the first end portion and at least one female connector provided on the second end portion thereof whereby, upon forming the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of material into the shape-sustaining support member and engaging the at least one male connector with the at least one female connector, the first end portion of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material is connected to the second end portion thereof.
6. The decorative assembly of claim 1 , wherein the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material further comprises at least one male connector extending from the upper side of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material so as to be disposed in close proximity to the first end portion of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material and a plurality of female connectors spatially disposed along the second end portion of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material whereby, upon forming the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of material into the shape-sustaining support member, at least one of the female connectors matingly receives the male connector and thereby connects the first end portion of the substantially semi-circular sheet of material to the second end portion thereof.
7. The decorative assembly of claim 1 , wherein the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material further comprises a male connector extending from the upper side of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material so as to be disposed in close proximity to the first end portion of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material and a plurality of female connectors spatially disposed along the second end portion of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of material whereby, upon forming the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of material into the shape sustaining support member, a selected female connector matingly receives the male connector and thereby connects the first end portion of substantially semi-circular sheet of flexible material to the second end portion thereof whereby the circumferential dimensions of the shape-sustaining support member is varied depending on the female connector selected to matingly receive the male connector.
8. The decorative assembly of claim 7 , wherein each of the female connector of the connector assembly comprises a slit formed in the second end portion of the sheet of flexible material.
9. The decorative assembly of claim 8 , wherein the male connecter comprises a shank portion and a head portion.
10. The decorative assembly of claim 9 , wherein the head portion of the male connector is substantially arrow-shaped.
11. The decorative assembly of claim 1 , wherein the securing element forms a crimp in the decorative cover upon disposing the securing element about the decorative cover.
12. A floral holding material comprising:
a shape-sustaining support member having an open upper end, an open lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending between the open upper end and the open lower end thereof, the peripheral sidewall having a plurality of pleats extending from the open upper end of the shape-sustaining support member and terminating a distance from the open lower end of the shape-sustaining support member, the shape-sustaining support member found of a substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material having an upper side containing a centrally disposed recess, a lower side, a first end portion, a second end portion and a plurality of score lines formed in at least one surface of the semi-circular shaped sheet of material and extending radially from the centrally disposed recess in the direction of the first end portion, the lower side and the second end portion such that, upon forming the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of material into the shape-sustaining support member and connecting the first end portion of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material to the second end portion thereof, the shape-sustaining support member so formed is provided with a substantially frusto, conical configuration.
13. The floral holding material of claim 12 wherein the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material is constructed of a polymeric material.
14. The floral holding material of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of the pleats formed in the peripheral sidewall of the shape-sustaining support member are bonded to an underlying portion of the peripheral sidewall.
15. The floral holding material of claim 12 wherein, the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material further comprises at least one male connector provided on the first end portion thereof and at least one female connector provided on the second end portion thereof whereby, upon forming the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of material into the shape-sustaining support member and engaging the at least one male connector with the at least one female connector, the first end portion of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material is connected to the second end portion thereof.
16. The floral holding material of claim 12 wherein, the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material further comprises at least one male connector extending from the upper side thereof so as to be disposed in close proximity to the first end portion of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material and a plurality of female connectors spatially disposed along the second end portion thereof whereby, upon forming the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of material into the shape-sustaining support member, at least one of the female connectors matingly receives the male connector and thereby connects the first end portion of the substantially semi-circular sheet of material to the second end portion thereof.
17. The floral holding material of claim 12 wherein, the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material further comprises a male connector extending from the upper side thereof so as to be disposed in close proximity to the first end portion of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material and a plurality of female connectors spatially disposed along the second end portion of the substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of material whereby, upon forming the substantially circular shaped sheet of flexible material into the shape-sustaining support member, a selected female connector matingly receives the male connector and thereby connects the first end portion of substantially semi-circular shaped sheet of flexible material to the second end portion thereof whereby the circumferential dimensions of the shape-sustaining support member is varied depending on the female connector selected to matingly receive the male connector.
18. The floral holding material of claim 12 wherein the female connector of the connector assembly comprises at least one slit formed in the second end portion of the sheet of flexible material.
19. The floral holding material of claim 18 wherein the male connecter comprises a shank portion and a head portion.
20. The floral holding material of claim 19 wherein the head portion of the male connector is substantially arrow-shaped.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/443,270 US20040025430A1 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-05-21 | Flexible vase |
Applications Claiming Priority (10)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/941,992 US5410856A (en) | 1988-09-26 | 1992-09-08 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US08/427,014 US5501059A (en) | 1988-09-26 | 1995-04-24 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US08/468,178 US5647189A (en) | 1988-09-26 | 1995-06-06 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US08/827,852 US5937576A (en) | 1992-09-08 | 1997-04-11 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US09/333,333 US6082045A (en) | 1992-09-08 | 1999-06-15 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US57678900A | 2000-05-23 | 2000-05-23 | |
US09/918,320 US6453612B2 (en) | 1997-04-11 | 2001-07-30 | Flexible vase |
US10/170,611 US6601343B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2002-06-12 | Flexible vase |
US10/353,878 US6711852B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-01-28 | Flexible vase |
US10/443,270 US20040025430A1 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-05-21 | Flexible vase |
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US10/353,878 Continuation US6711852B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-01-28 | Flexible vase |
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US09/912,217 Expired - Fee Related US6427380B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2001-07-24 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
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US10/170,611 Expired - Fee Related US6601343B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2002-06-12 | Flexible vase |
US10/229,618 Expired - Fee Related US6543184B2 (en) | 1997-04-11 | 2002-08-27 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US10/353,878 Expired - Fee Related US6711852B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-01-28 | Flexible vase |
US10/443,270 Abandoned US20040025430A1 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-05-21 | Flexible vase |
US10/447,601 Expired - Fee Related US6672005B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-05-29 | Decorative assembly for supporting a floral grouping |
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US10/449,384 Expired - Fee Related US6691459B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-05-30 | Flexible vase |
US10/457,590 Expired - Fee Related US6904716B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-06-09 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US10/613,690 Abandoned US20040025432A1 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-07-03 | Decorative assembly for supporting a floral grouping |
US10/650,374 Expired - Fee Related US6868636B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-08-28 | Decorative assembly for supporting a floral grouping |
US10/674,182 Abandoned US20040055215A1 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-09-29 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
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US11/075,016 Expired - Fee Related US7073290B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2005-03-08 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US11/392,081 Abandoned US20060174591A1 (en) | 1997-04-11 | 2006-03-29 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
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US08/827,852 Expired - Fee Related US5937576A (en) | 1992-09-08 | 1997-04-11 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US09/333,333 Expired - Fee Related US6082045A (en) | 1992-09-08 | 1999-06-15 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US09/912,217 Expired - Fee Related US6427380B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2001-07-24 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US09/918,320 Expired - Fee Related US6453612B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2001-07-30 | Flexible vase |
US10/011,226 Expired - Fee Related US6725600B2 (en) | 1997-04-11 | 2001-11-15 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US10/079,282 Expired - Fee Related US6516564B2 (en) | 1995-06-06 | 2002-02-19 | Flexible vase |
US10/167,920 Expired - Fee Related US6655085B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2002-06-11 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US10/170,611 Expired - Fee Related US6601343B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2002-06-12 | Flexible vase |
US10/229,618 Expired - Fee Related US6543184B2 (en) | 1997-04-11 | 2002-08-27 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US10/353,878 Expired - Fee Related US6711852B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-01-28 | Flexible vase |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/447,601 Expired - Fee Related US6672005B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-05-29 | Decorative assembly for supporting a floral grouping |
US10/449,319 Expired - Fee Related US6672006B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-05-30 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US10/449,384 Expired - Fee Related US6691459B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-05-30 | Flexible vase |
US10/457,590 Expired - Fee Related US6904716B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-06-09 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US10/613,690 Abandoned US20040025432A1 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-07-03 | Decorative assembly for supporting a floral grouping |
US10/650,374 Expired - Fee Related US6868636B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-08-28 | Decorative assembly for supporting a floral grouping |
US10/674,182 Abandoned US20040055215A1 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-09-29 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US10/690,312 Abandoned US20040079028A1 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2003-10-21 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US11/075,016 Expired - Fee Related US7073290B2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 2005-03-08 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
US11/392,081 Abandoned US20060174591A1 (en) | 1997-04-11 | 2006-03-29 | Decorative assembly for a floral grouping |
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US (21) | US5937576A (en) |
AU (1) | AU7109898A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2286206C (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998046501A1 (en) |
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1999
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2001
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2002
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2003
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