Gift product display and bouquet

Abstract

The invention comprises a system for displaying and packaging gift items. Each gift item is placed and secured in a shaped mold having further having an elongated and rigid stem structure that is attached thereto. Each stem preferably has one or more petals formed from pieces of paper, cellophane or the like, attached thereto, such that each stem with a gift item resembles a flower and a group of gift items resembles a flower bouquet.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/526,465, filed Dec. 3, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention finds use in the field of gift products. More particularly, this invention relates to the use of gift product flowers to display a gift product and a “bouquet” arrangement comprised of a plurality of such gift product flowers being inserted into a base or vase.

2. Background

When giving a gift, the giver desires to make an immediate and positive impact on the recipient. Purveyors of gift products are keen to such impact and in-turn attempt to make an impression on the gift giver to entice a sale. In addition to presentation, gift product purveyors also must take into account packaging of such gift items, shipping considerations, and production costs.

A tried-and-true method of providing gift items is the gift basket. Usually, the basket or other container is filled with gift items, such as food, toys, or liquor, and packaging material, such as tissue paper or artificial straw. The gift basket is then shrink-wrapped and is ready for presentation or delivery to the recipient.

While certainly appreciated by the recipient and reliable method of distributing gift items, gift baskets only seem to vary as to the items contained therein and the type of container used. There has been no real innovation as to the presentation of the gift items within the container. As such, gift baskets have lost some of their special charm, for both the giver and the recipient. As such, purveyors of gift products may be losing sales on persons not interested in purchasing “yet another” gift basket.

Therefore, there remains a need for a new and alternative approach for displaying, packaging and marketing gift products and the like that is appealing for buyer, recipient and producer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a system for displaying and packaging individual gift items and a group of so-packaged gift items. Each gift item is provided with an elongated and rigid stem structure that is attached thereto. Each stem structure is placed in a support means located within a display container. Each stem may optionally have one or more pieces of paper or cellophane attached thereto, such that each stem with a gift item resembles a flower and a group of gift items resembles a flower bouquet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a gift product display flower;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of a gift product display flower;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of a gift product display flower;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of a gift product display flower;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a gift product display flower; and

FIG. 6 a bottom plan view of a gift product display flower.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The gift product display and bouquet systems according to the present invention will be described herein by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein FIGS. 1-6 show elevational and plan views of the salient portions of the invention.

The inventive gift product “flower” display 10 is generally comprised of a shaped gift product mold 20 that will contain a similarly shaped gift product (not shown). The mold is attached to a stick, straw, wire or other rigid support means, herein generally referred to as a “stem” 30. Each general component will now be discussed in more detail.

A gift product flower display 10 is generally formed by attaching a rigid stem 20 to the gift product mold 20. This can be done by directly gluing or otherwise attaching the stem 30 to the gift product mold 20. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each stem 30 is attached to the gift product mold 20 into which a similarly shaped gift product is placed. It is contemplated that a wide variety of mold shapes and sizes would be made available in order to accommodate a wide variety of gift products. The gift product mold 20 is preferably comprised of an injection molded transparent or translucent plastic, although other types of materials and methods of formation known in the art, such as opaque plastic, metal, fiberglass and the like, may be used. The gift product is then wrapped, taped or otherwise secured into the gift product mold 20.

The stem 30 preferably extend well past the gift product mold 20 to allow placement and presentation in a container. It is contemplated that a variety of stem lengths can be used; in one embodiment of the invention, the larger the gift product mold 20 (and included gift product), the longer the stem 30. The stems 30 may be constructed of plastic, meta, wood or other lightweight and strong materials that will not bend under the weight of the respective gift items.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, stem 30 has one or more petals 40 that are formed from pieces of paper, plastic sheets or cellophane attached thereto. The petals 40 may be attached to the stem 30 though adhesives, tape or wire and may be placed on individually on the outside of the stem 30 or may have a small aperture in the middle of the petal through which the stem may pass and the petal eventually secured to the stem. Optimally, the petals 40 are moved outward and away from the mold 20 to form a more aesthetically pleasing shape. Through the use of the petals 40, each stem 30 with a gift product mold 20 resembles an flower and forms a complete gift product flower 10. In addition to the aesthetic qualities presented by the overall design, one advantage of packaging a gift product in the disclosed product display “flower” 10 is it allows the gift product to be presented to the recipient in a form that is easily seen and packaged. The recipient (and also the purchaser) can see each individual gift product when presented in a group that, when placed in a container, resembles a flower bouquet. Further, the purveyor of the gift products can easily arrange and package each individual gift product flower 10.

A gift product bouquet is generally comprised of a container or base into which a plurality of the gift product “flowers” 10 are placed. A “bouquet” of individual gift product flowers 10 can be formed by placing and arranging a plurality of said flowers in a container. The container or base is preferred in the form of an open container having a stable bottom. Forms that the container can take, but are not limited to, include a flowerpot, ice bucket, vase, champagne/wine chilling bucket, popcorn bucket, and a pail. The container may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal, but glass is not preferred due to its breakability. The container may have ornamental features, handles, or other accoutrements. The container is preferably reusable by the recipient. A support structure is placed into the open end of the container. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the support structure is made of foam or other lightweight substance that can be pieced by and retain the supported objects, here the gift product “flowers.” Alternatively, the support can have pre-formed holes for insertion of the gift product flower stems 30.

To form a bouquet, each respective gift product flower stem 30 is inserted into the container support such that each flower is in a vertical position and is properly spaced from its neighbors. The paper or cellophane “petals” are also maintained in a outward or “fluffed” position, into order to complete the flower effect. Once all the gift product flowers 10 are positioned in the container, additional decorative components, such as holly, berries, artificial leaves, etc. are inserted into the support. One may optionally include tissue paper, artificial straw or other filler in the container as an additional decorative touch. After all the components are inserted into the container, the bouquet is preferably wrapped, such as with a bag or shrink-wrap.

In addition to the structures, sequences, and uses immediately described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications and variations can be made the method of the instant invention without diverging from the scope, spirit, or teaching of the invention. Therefore, it is the intention of the inventors that the description of instant invention should be considered illustrative and the invention is to be limited only as specified in the claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A display for a gift product, the display comprising,

a) a gift product mold formed to receive a gift product;

b) a rigid stem attached to said gift product mold; and

c) at least one petal attached to said rigid stem,

whereby the gift product display resembles a flower.

2. The gift product display of claim 1 wherein the at least one petal is a piece of cellophane.

3. The gift product display of claim 1 wherein the gift product mold is formed from injection molded plastic.

4. The gift product display of claim 1 wherein the stem is formed from a material selected by the group comprising plastic, metal and wood.

5. A gift product display bouquet comprising:

a) a plurality of gift product display flowers, each of said product display flowers comprising a gift product mold formed to receive a gift product, a rigid stem attached to said gift product mold, and at least one petal attached to said rigid stem;

b) a support base adapted to receive the plurality of gift product display flowers; and

c) a container adapted to receive the support base, whereby the plurality of gift product display flowers, upon insertion into the support base contained with the container, forms a bouquet of product displays.