DOUBLE WALL INSULATED FLORAL CONTAINER

Abstract

A container for floral arrangements including: an outer vessel; an inner vessel contained within the outer vessel; and a non-resealable opening leading into an inner cavity defined by the inner vessel, wherein the opening and the inner cavity are configured to receive water and at least one flower stem, and the inner vessel is thermally insulated from the outer vessel such that contents within the inner cavity can be held at a holding temperature different from an ambient temperature outside the container for a holding period.

Claims

1. A container for floral arrangements comprising: an outer vessel; an inner vessel contained within the outer vessel; and a non-resealable opening leading into an inner cavity defined by the inner vessel, wherein the opening and the inner cavity are configured to receive water and at least one flower stem, and the inner vessel is thermally insulated from the outer vessel such that contents within the inner cavity can be held at a holding temperature different from an ambient temperature outside the container for a holding period.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the inner vessel is thermally insulated from the outer vessel by at least one chamber containing a gas having a thermal conductivity lower than that of the inner vessel and the outer vessel.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the gas is air at a pressure not greater than 0.001 Torr (0.133 Pa).

4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the inner vessel is waterproof.

5. The container according to claim 4, wherein the inner vessel and the outer vessel independently comprise at least one member selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, brass, copper, bronze, aluminum, glass, plastic, acrylic and ceramic.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the inner vessel is sufficiently thermally insulated from the outer vessel such that the holding temperature is at least 15? C. less than the ambient temperature and the holding period is at least 60 minutes.

7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the inner vessel is sufficiently thermally insulated from the outer vessel such that condensation does not form on an outer surface of the container.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the outer vessel defines an outer surface of the container.

9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the outer vessel further defines a base which is configured to maintain the container in a position such that the contents within the inner cavity do not spill out of the inner cavity.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein a middle section of the inner vessel is tapered relative to a top section and a bottom section of the inner vessel, such that stems of the floral arrangement passing through the middle section further insulate water within the inner cavity from conditions external to the container.

11. A method for displaying a floral arrangement, said method comprising: providing the container according to claim 1; providing the floral arrangement in the inner cavity with water, wherein an initial temperature of the water is at least 15? C. less than the ambient temperature outside the container; and displaying the floral arrangement in the container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a container for floral arrangements in accordance with the invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a front view thereof.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof.

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a top view thereof.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an inventive container containing flowers, water, and ice cubes.

[0029] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9 show longitudinal cross-sectional outline views of alternative embodiments of an inventive container in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0030] This detailed description is provided as required to describe the basic concepts of preferred embodiments of the invention. The brief summary of the invention above is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Sizes and angles referenced herein are not specific and should not limit the scope of the invention. This detailed description is presented to outline certain non-limiting embodiments of the invention and the theory of the invention.

[0031] The present invention resolves the aforementioned problems associated with conventional flower vases by creating an un-friendly environment for microorganisms to grow. It does this by keeping the fresh cut flowers in cold water by using a double-walled insulated container. Allowing the water temperature inside the container to stay colder at lower temperatures for extended periods of time, enabling freshly cut flowers to stay alive longer when placed inside the container of the present invention.

[0032] Thus, the invention provides a container for floral arrangements which is an improvement over conventional decorative flower vases. The inventive container is insulated to enable fresh cut flower stems to be kept in water at a cooler temperature for longer periods of time, resulting in the reduction of microorganism growth within the floral water. The invention when properly used enables freshly cut flowers to last longer than they would in a conventional vase. The invention will enable floral industry consumers to protect their investment of freshly cut flowers. As used herein, the term flower is intended to include all horticultural items like flowers, foliage, stems, and plants, etc.

[0033] The inventive container preferably comprises an inner vessel within an outer vessel. There is preferably no lid on the container, the top of the container is non-resealable and open to air which creates an accessible inner vessel to receive water and flowers. The inner vessel can be made of a waterproof material and is designed to hold flower stems with liquids, and solids.

[0034] The container is thermally insulated by a double wall to maintain a certain temperature within the internal vessel. The present invention allows for water within the inner vessel to maintain a holding temperature of at minimum 15? C. less than the external temperature for a minimum of 60 minutes. The inner and outer vessel gap creates a space or chamber between the two walls which reduces the exchange of thermal energy. This chamber can be vacuum sealed with a pressure not greater than 0.001 Torr (0.133 Pa). The container may have thicker walls, a longer neck, and more vacuum air space to ensure the best insulation possible. The double wall also prevents condensation from forming on an external surface of container 3.

[0035] What further separates this invention from other insulated containers, is the internal vessel's purpose, concept, shape, and design. The inner vessel of the container is designed with an hourglass shape with a long thin neck which extends into the base of the container. Allowing the temperature inside the container to be further insulated when flower stems are properly placed into the inner vessel.

[0036] The container may be made of several different materials, mainly being stainless steel, due to insulative properties, but can be made from brass, copper, bronze, aluminum, glass, plastic, acrylic, and ceramic.

[0037] The outer vessel of the container is the outer surface and doubles as a base to allow the container to sit on a flat surface preventing the interior contents within the inner vessel from spilling.

[0038] Broadly, this present invention provides an improved floral container (sometimes referred to herein as a vase) for containing floral items. The floral container is a double walled container with the intended purpose of holding liquids and solids within the internal vessel. The invention provides a container which insulates the water into which fresh cut flowers can be placed.

[0039] With reference now to the drawings, a new flower container system embodying the principles and concepts of the disclosed subject matter will be described. The system includes means for selectively insulating an inner vessel of a vase with the purpose of holding liquids at certain temperatures within the inner vessel of a floral container. The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is provided for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, container 3 includes an outer vessel 5 having an hourglass shape and inner vessel 10 within outer vessel 5. There is no lid or other resealing means forming a part of container 3 such that top end 2 of container 3 is non-resealable and defines top opening 1, which creates an accessible inner cavity 11 to receive water 14 and flowers 17.

[0041] Vessel body 6 is a dual wall construction, wherein chamber 12 is defined by the space between inner vessel 10 and outer vessel 5, which are joined together at top end 2 of container 3 to create a seal, such as by a weld or other method of joining.

[0042] Inner cavity 11 of inner vessel 10 can contain water 14, ice 15, and foliage stems 16 of flowers 17 as shown in FIG. 6, which is a non-limiting example of an embodiment of the invention in use. In addition to water and ice, other items may be added into inner vessel 10 to promote lower thermal temperatures therein, such as, e.g., reusable freezer packs containing sodium polyacrylate.

[0043] Outer vessel 5 has a base 7 configured to support container 3 when placed on a surface in a filled or empty condition. Outer vessel 5 may be formed in a variety of preferred external designs, shapes, and styles as shown in the non-limiting embodiments of FIGS. 6-9.

[0044] Outer vessel 5 and inner vessel 10 are made of one or more materials, which are preferably waterproof. Suitable materials include but are not limited to non-rusting metals such as stainless steel due to the superior insulative properties, but may also include brass, copper, bronze, alloy, polymers, aluminum, and non-metals such as glass, plastic, acrylic, or ceramics. Outer vessel 5 and inner vessel 10 can be made from the same or different materials. Copper may be included in the composition of inner vessel 10 to further promote the reduction of microorganisms.

[0045] FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view of container 3, shows inner vessel 10 and outer vessel 5 defining an insulated double-wall structure. Inner vessel 10 and outer vessel 5 are not necessarily parallel or even substantially parallel to each other over their full lengths or any parts thereof.

[0046] Inner vessel 10 may be formed in an hourglass shape with a thin neck 4 to aid in insulation of inner cavity 11. Inner vessel 10 may be formed in an hourglass shape that may not be directly parallel to the exterior shape of the vessel. In certain embodiments, inner vessel 10 is configured to be slimmer beneath top end 2 of container 3 to reduce the amount of heat transfer from inner cavity through top opening 1 to the external environment when flower stems are placed inside the vessel.

[0047] Chamber 12 between inner vessel 10 and outer vessel 5 is preferably vacuum sealed to enhance the insulating ability of container 3. Chamber 12 preferably contains air at a pressure below ambient conditions. More preferably, chamber contains air at a pressure of 0.00001 Torr to 0.001 Torr (0.00133 Pa to 0.133 Pa), or not greater than 0.001 Torr (0.133 Pa). In some embodiments, chamber 12 may have a double thickness and could be filled with any insulative product material. The space between the two vessels creates a thermal conductivity lower than that of the inner vessel and the outer vessel such that condensation does not form on an outer surface of the container.

[0048] In other embodiments, container 3 can be insulated by substances other than air at negative pressure. For example, chamber 12 may be filled with one or more of fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulosic materials, polystyrene foam, polyisocyanurate foam, polyurethane foam, perlite, cementitious foam, phenolic foam and aerogel.

[0049] Chamber 12 may be produced with different amounts of space dependent upon the design and shape of inner vessel 10 and outer vessel 5. Inner cavity 11 is preferably designed to hold just enough water 14 and ice 15 to properly hydrate the flower stems while keeping the stored liquid at a lower holding temperature than the ambient external air temperature. The holding temperature is preferably 0? C. to 15? C., or 5? C. to 10? C., and/or is preferably at least 15? C. less than the ambient temperature outside of the container. The container is preferably configured to maintain the holding temperature within the desired range for at least 60 minutes (e.g., up to 600 minutes or up to 300 minutes or up to 120 minutes).

[0050] The base 7 of the container 3 is preferably flat as shown in the figures. The bottom may optionally have a rubber or plastic piece on the bottom which can provide a non-skid surface, to prevent the container from sliding along a smooth surface. The bottom can be altered if necessary, during production to create a vacuum seal of chamber 12. Base 7 may have a seal created during the formation of the vacuum between the inner vessel 10 and the outer vessel 5, which can be sealed by a resin to provide the chamber 12 to form an insulated double wall structure. In addition, various other techniques can be used to vacuum seal, which may include painting the resin, powder coating the dimple, adhering metal or paper over the opening, or adding a rubber or plastic piece to cover the opening.

[0051] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.