Modular candle holder, vase and caddy

Abstract

A modular assembly comprising at least one holder, base-unit having at least one hollow opening on at least one end and further comprising at least one adapter-unit; wherein said adapter-unit plugs securely into the hollow opening of said holder, base-unit; and wherein said holder, base-unit and said at least one adapter-unit may be interchanged and combined with alternate holder, base-units and adapter-units to form a variety of cohesive, convertible assemblies which function as a vase, a plant stand, a candle holder and/or a caddy for various articles.

Claims

1. A modular unit comprising a hollow container having at least one open end and further comprising at least one plug-in adapter wherein said adaptor plugs securely into an open end of said container; wherein said hollow container without the adapter(s) either functions as a vase, or a container for flowers and plants, or functions as a caddy or a holder for various articles; and wherein said plug-in adapter has a top portion which functions as either a plant stand, a vase, a taper candle holder, a tea light candle holder, a votive candle holder, a pillar candle holder, a battery-operated candle holder, or a battery operated light holder and wherein said plug-in adapter has a bottom portion which is a plug comprised of silicone or cork; wherein said plug portion of said plug-in adapter fits securely into said open end of the hollow container portion of the modular unit; and wherein said modular unit including the hollow container when combined with said adapter(s) forms a convertible modular unit which also functions as a plant stand, taper candle holder, tea light candle holder, votive candle holder, pillar candle holder, battery-operated candle holder or battery operated light holder.

2. The modular unit of claim 1, wherein said at least one open end measures ¾ inches in diameter and said at least one plug-in adapter measures ⅝ to ⅞ inches.

3. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one adapter has a top portion which is either a plant stand, or a vase and a bottom portion which is a plug that fits securely in the container.

4. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one adapter has a top portion which is a taper candle holder, a tealight-candle holder, a votive candle holder or a pillar candle holder and a bottom portion which is a plug that fits securely in the container.

5. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one adapter has a top portion which is a battery-operated-candle holder or a battery-operated light holder and a bottom portion which is a plug that fits securely in the container.

6. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for office tools.

7. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for construction tools.

8. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for garden tools and supplies.

9. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for home scents and accessories.

10. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for bathroom accessories.

11. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for kitchen, bar and grill implements.

12. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for personal care tools and implements.

13. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for wearable protective care items.

14. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for clothing care implements.

15. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for travel accessories.

16. The modular unit of claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for electronics and accessories.

17. The modular unit or claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for sports equipment.

18. The modular unit or claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for toys.

19. The modular unit or claim 1 wherein the hollow container is a caddy for pet care items.

20. A modular unit comprising a hollow container having at least one open end and further comprising at least one plug-in adapter wherein said at least one plug-in adapter plugs securely into an open end of said container; wherein said hollow container without the adapter(s) either functions as a vase, or a container for flowers and plants, or functions as a caddy or a holder for various articles; and wherein said plug-in adapter has a top portion which functions as either a plant stand, a vase, a taper candle holder, a tea light candle holder, a votive candle holder, a pillar candle holder, a battery-operated candle holder, or a battery operated light holder and wherein said plug-in adapter has a bottom portion which is a plug comprised of silicone; wherein said plug portion of said plug-in adapter fits securely into said open end of the hollow container portion of the modular unit; and wherein said modular unit including the hollow container when combined with said at least one plug-in adapter(s) forms a convertible modular unit which also functions as a plant stand, taper candle holder, tea light candle holder, votive candle holder, pillar candle holder, battery-operated candle holder or battery operated light holder.

21. A modular unit comprising a hollow container having at least one open end and further comprising at least one plug-in adapter wherein said at least one plug-in adapter plugs securely into an open end of said container; wherein said hollow container without the adapter(s) either functions as a vase, or a container for flowers and plants, or functions as a caddy or a holder for various articles; and wherein said plug-in adapter has a top portion which functions as either a plant stand, a vase, a taper candle holder, a tea light candle holder, a votive candle holder, a pillar candle holder, a battery-operated candle holder, or a battery operated light holder and wherein said plug-in adapter has a bottom portion which is a plug comprised of cork; wherein said plug portion of said plug-in adapter fits securely into said open end of the hollow container portion of the modular unit; and wherein said modular unit including the hollow container when combined with said at least one plug-in adapter(s) forms a convertible modular unit which also functions as a plant stand, taper candle holder, tea light candle holder, votive candle holder, pillar candle holder, battery-operated candle holder or battery operated light holder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts base holder designs having no adapter attached and having various types of candles inserted into the hollow opening.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the modular assembly including the base holder as a candleholder which also has the adapter attached. Each view of the cohesive, convertible modular assembly displays a different functional style for the adapter inserted into the hollow opening.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a modular assembly having a base holder with an adapter inserted, wherein the adapter is a candle holder which is designed to accommodate a taper candle.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a base holder with an adapter above it prior to the adapter being inserted into the holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(5) The drawings of the invention including FIGS. 1 through 4 further serve to define and illustrate the embodiments of the invention in a more detailed manner.

(6) FIG. 1 shows as a component of the presently claimed modular assembly, a holder, base-unit 1 designed to accommodate five types of candles including taper, tea light, votive, small pillar and large pillar. The candle may be wax, soy or battery-operated plastic. The top surface of the candle holder 2 has a hollow opening 3. In a preferred embodiment, the hollow opening is located in the center of the top surface of the holder, base-unit 1 and may be designed to accommodate a standard taper candle 4. In this embodiment, the hollow opening is approximately ¾ inches in diameter and is approximately 1 inch in depth. However, the hollow opening may be of any suitable size. When the holder, base-unit 1 is a candle holder, said candleholder may be a multifunctional candle holder designed to accommodate several different types of candles, as shown. Said candleholder may accommodate a tea light or votive candle 5 which sits on the top surface of the base holder 1. Said candleholder may also accommodate a pillar candle 6 which sits on the top surface of the base holder 1. The holder, base-unit 1 may also have an additional, hollow, bowl-like portion 15 at its bottom surface, wherein when the holder, base-unit is inverted and the hollow, bowl-like portion is at the top, the holder, base-unit may function as a caddy.

(7) FIG. 2 shows as a component of the presently claimed modular assembly, a holder, base-unit 1 and an adapter-unit 7 attached to the holder, base-unit 1 by a plug 8 inserted into the hollow opening 3. In this embodiment the adapter 7 which is shown as an empty caddy could be used to hold a variety of useful articles ranging from plants to pet accessories as further described above.

(8) The holder, base-unit 1 in this embodiment is also a candleholder having a hollow opening 3 designed to accommodate a taper candle when no adapter is inserted. Additionally, in this embodiment, the plug measures approximately ¾ inches in diameter, (give or take ⅛ inch), and is designed to insert securely into the hollow opening of the candle holder base. The plug may be comprised of silicone, rubber, cork, wood and/or plastic. A secure insertion of the plug is best achieved when there are no gaps between the boundaries of the perimeter of the hollow opening of the holder, base-unit and the outside perimeter of the plug. A secure insertion is evidenced when the plug does not wobble or wiggle when inserted. A secure insertion is necessary to ensure that when items are placed in the top portion of the adapter the assembly does not topple and fall. Another embodiment of the adapter-unit is one which is designed as a vase 9. Another embodiment of the adapter-unit is one which is designed as a caddy for office tools 10. Another embodiment of the adapter-unit is one which is designed as a caddy for kitchen tools 11. The adapter-unit may serve as a caddy for any item that is functionally and aesthetically suitable.

(9) FIG. 3 shows as an embodiment of the presently claimed modular assembly, a holder, base-unit 1 having an adapter-unit 12 inserted into a hollow opening of said holder, base-unit 1 via a plug 8. The adapter-unit 12 is a candle holder which also has a hollow opening 3 which may accommodate an additional adapter-unit. This embodiment allows for a plurality of base units and adapters to be stacked on top of each other to facilitate the assembly of tall designs. The holder, base-unit 1 may also have an additional, hollow, bowl-like portion 15 at its bottom surface, wherein when the holder, base-unit is inverted and the hollow, bowl-like portion is at the top, the holder, base-unit may function as a caddy.

(10) FIG. 4 depicts the adapter-unit in relation to the holder, base-unit prior to its insertion therein. FIG. 4 illustrates suitable sizing and positioning of the adapter plug to allow for secure insertion of said plug into the holder base. FIG. 4 also shows as an embodiment of the presently claimed modular assembly, a holder, base-unit 13 which functions as a vase. An adapter 14 functions as a candle holder and may be inserted into the hollow opening 3 of the holder, base-unit 13 via a plug 8.

(11) The above description presents optimum, dimensional, relationships for the modular components of the invention. It is understood that one skilled in the art would consider variations in size, shape, form, functions and materials of the components as well as variations in the manner of operation, assembly and use thereof. All embodiments equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as only illustrative of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The description of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and means of operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention may be practiced.