ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS THAT GLOW IN DARK

Abstract

Artificial flowers and bunches of flowers that have self-glowing properties include a flower portion and optionally one or more stems and leaves. At least the flower portion includes a self-glowing material, which includes phosphorescent compounds, such as strontium aluminate or zinc sulfide, optionally doped with rare earth elements to enhance glow intensity and duration. The luminescent material may be embedded within the base structure or applied as a surface coating or both, and is bound using a suitable medium such as acrylic or epoxy resin. Optional integration of conventional lighting elements, such as LEDs, is also contemplated

Claims

1. An artificial flower assembly comprising: one or more artificial flowers, wherein at least one artificial flower of the one or more artificial flowers comprises a self-glowing material, wherein the self-glowing material is configured to emit visible light in the absence of an external power source.

2. The artificial flower assembly of claim 1, wherein the artificial flower assembly further comprises: one or more stems coupled to the one or more artificial flowers, respectively.

3. The artificial flower assembly of claim 2, wherein one or more leaves are coupled to each stem of the one or more stems, wherein at least one leaf of the one or more leaves comprises the self-glowing material.

4. The artificial flower assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one stem of the one or more stems comprises the self-glowing material.

5. The artificial flower assembly of claim 1, wherein the self-glowing material comprises a phosphorescent compound.

6. The artificial flower assembly of claim 5, wherein the self-glowing material is mixed with a base material used in manufacturing the at least one artificial flower.

7. The artificial flower assembly of claim 5, wherein the self-glowing material is applied as a surface coating to at least a portion of the at least one artificial flower.

8. A method for manufacturing a self-glowing flower assembly, wherein the self-glowing flower assembly comprises one or more flowers, the method comprises: integrating a self-glowing material into at least one flower of the one or more artificial flowers, wherein the self-glowing material is configured to emit visible light in the absence of an external power source.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the artificial flower assembly further comprises one or more stems coupled to the one or more artificial flowers, respectively, wherein the method further comprises: integrating the self-glowing material into at least one stem of the one or more stems.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein one or more leaves are coupled to each stem of the one or more stems, wherein the method further comprises: integrating the self-glowing material into at least one leaf of the one or more leaves.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the self-glowing material comprises a phosphorescent compound.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the self-glowing material is mixed with a base material used for manufacturing the at least one artificial flower.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the self-glowing material is applied as a surface coating to at least a portion of the at least one artificial flower.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying FIGURES, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the FIGURES further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.

[0011] The drawing shows a bouquet of flowers, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The subject matter described herein will now be explained in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this disclosure and illustrate specific exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that the subject matter may be embodied in various alternative forms. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein; these are provided merely for illustrative purposes. A broad scope of protection is intended. The subject matter may be embodied, for example, in the form of methods, devices, systems, or components. Therefore, the following detailed description is not intended to be restrictive or limiting in any way.

[0013] As used herein, the term exemplary is intended to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment described as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments. Similarly, references to embodiments of the present invention are not intended to require that all embodiments include the particular features, advantages, or operational modes discussed.

[0014] The terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, terms such as comprises, comprising, includes, and including are intended to be inclusive and do not exclude the presence of additional elements, features, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[0015] The following detailed description sets forth the best currently contemplated mode or modes for carrying out the disclosed subject matter. This description is intended to illustrate, rather than limit, the principles and scope of the invention, which will be defined by the claims of any resulting patent.

[0016] The present invention relates to artificial flowers that have self-glowing properties. Specifically disclosed are artificial flowers, including stems and leaves, wherein the flower and optionally the stem and/or leaves incorporate self-glowing features. Also disclosed is a bouquet or bunch of such artificial flowers. In one embodiment, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, a bunch 100 includes multiple flowers 110, each extending from a corresponding stem 120, with each stem optionally bearing one or more leaves 130. At a minimum, the flowers 110 include self-glowing elements, i.e., materials incorporated into their manufacture that emit light in the absence of an external power source. In some embodiments, the stems and/or leaves may also include self-glowing materials. It is also contemplated that the self-glowing feature may be partial; for example, only certain petals of a flower or specific regions of a leaf or stem may be luminescent.

[0017] In one aspect, the invention provides artificial flowers capable of glowing in the dark without requiring external power sources, electrical wiring, or batteries. The luminescent property is imparted using self-glowing materials, which may include phosphors, phosphorescent pigments, and suitable binding media, or any other known luminescent materials. Examples of such phosphors include zinc sulfide and strontium aluminate, or other phosphorescent compounds capable of absorbing ambient light and gradually releasing it as visible light, thus creating a persistent glow effect. These phosphorescent materials may be doped with rare earth elements such as europium or dysprosium to enhance glow intensity and longevity.

[0018] A binding medium is employed to hold the luminescent particles together and enable their application onto or integration into the flower structures. Suitable binding media may include acrylics, polyphenylene oxide (PPO) resins, epoxy resins, and other known polymers or agents that provide adhesion, durability, and environmental resistance.

[0019] The glow-in-the-dark material may be integrated into the artificial flower structure through mixing with base materials or surface deposition techniques. The base layerswhich provide the structural framework for the flowers, stems, and leavescan be composed of plastics or other moldable materials. The luminescent material may be blended into the plastic during manufacturing, or alternatively, applied as a coating using methods such as spraying, dipping, or blast coating. Additional protective sealants or topcoats may be applied to enhance weatherproofing, waterproofing, and overall durability. The composition may further include additives to improve properties such as viscosity, safety, ease of application, and mechanical strength. Both incorporation into base materials and surface deposition may be used in combination to create varied textures, patterns, shapes, and three-dimensional effects.

[0020] The disclosed artificial flowers, with their long lifespan and visually appealing glow, are suitable for a wide range of applications, including use at grave sites, cemeteries, memorials, parties, restaurants, mausoleums, urns, and various indoor and outdoor decorative settings. They may also be used in rituals, ceremonies, and for crafting garlands. These self-glowing flowers maintain an attractive appearance during the day and emit a visible glow at night, enhancing their aesthetic utility.

[0021] The self-glowing artificial flowers described herein can be manufactured to be weatherproof, waterproof, and highly durable. They can be produced in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and types, including various flowers, leaves, buds, ornamental vegetation, artificial fruits, lawns, grass, decorative trees, branches, and greenery.

[0022] Optionally, conventional lighting elements such as LEDs may be incorporated into the artificial flowers or bouquets to further enhance their visual appeal and functional versatility.

[0023] While the foregoing description sets forth what is presently considered to be the best mode for carrying out the invention and enables a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, it will be understood and appreciated that various modifications, combinations, substitutions, and equivalents thereof may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The disclosed embodiments, methods, and examples are provided by way of illustration and not limitation. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing description but is to be defined by the claims that may be presented in any resulting patent, together with all legal equivalents thereof.