COMBINATION CANDLE AND FLOWER HOLDER

Abstract

A combination candle holder and flower holder is provided in which the member that holds the candle is also amenable to holding a flower when a candle is not disposed therein. This principle can be employed for devices that are designed to hold either a candle or a single flower or to devices that can simultaneously hold one or more candles and one or more flowers. Sine the same structure can effectively hold either a candle or a flower it provides increased flexibility and utility for the device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/840,871, which was filed on Aug. 29, 2006, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of decorative candle holders and flower vases. More particularly, the present invention is in the field of devices that can hold both flowers and one or more candle.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are many devices configured to hold candles. Similarly, there are many vases of various configurations for holding flowers. Still further, there are devices configured to hold both a candle and flowers simultaneously. In such devices, at least a portion of the device is specifically designed to hold a candle while another portion of the device is specifically designed to hold one or more flowers. However, such designs lead to inherent limitations. For example, while the device may be functionally capable of holding a candle without also holding flowers, or vice versa, holding one without the other leaves portions of the device visibly empty. Thus, the desired visual effect of the device suffers.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device that can hold both one or more candles and/or one or more flowers without losing its pleasing visual appearance if only one or the other are held by the device.

In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides a candle and flower holding system. The system comprises a holder member adapted to selectively hold a candle or support a flower stem. The holder member comprises a first cavity having a lateral support portion and a vertical support portion. The lateral support portion is adapted to provide lateral support for a candle placed within the first cavity. The vertical support portion is adapted to provide vertical support for a candle placed within the first cavity. An aperture is formed through a bottom of the first cavity. The aperture is sized and configured to accommodate a flower stem extending therethrough. The aperture has a side adapted to laterally support the flower stem. A second cavity is disposed below the holder member and is contiguous with the aperture. The second cavity is configured to hold water. The system may selectively hold a candle or a flower and water without changing the system configuration.

In one embodiment, the lateral support portion comprises a wall, and the vertical support comprises a generally horizontal surface. In another embodiment, the lateral support portion comprises at least one rib. In one such embodiment, the ribs are configured to at least partially penetrate a candle engaging the ribs.

In another embodiment, the first cavity has a first diameter and the second cavity has a second diameter, and the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.

In accordance with another embodiment, a support member attachable to a container is provided. The support member is configured to alternatively hold a candle or a flower, and comprises an attachment member configured to attach the support member to the container. A candle holder member has a longitudinal axis and comprising a first member adapted to provide vertical support for a candle disposed on the holder member, and a second member adapted to provide lateral support for a candle disposed on the holder member so that the holder member selectively holds a candle generally along the longitudinal axis. A flower holder member comprises a lateral support surface disposed about an aperture. The aperture is configured to accommodate a flower stem and has a longitudinal axis that is substantially collinear with the candle holder longitudinal axis. The support member can selectively hold either a candle or support a flower stem.

In one embodiment, the candle holder member and flower holder member are contiguous. In another embodiment, the first member of the candle holder member comprises the lateral support surface disposed about the aperture of the flower holder member. In yet another embodiment, the support member comprises a plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members that are attached to one another. Still another embodiment additionally comprises spaces between the plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members, the spaces adapted to accommodate flower stems extending therethrough. In still another embodiment, the support member is adapted to be suspended over a bowl portion of a container so that each of the plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members communication with the bowl portion.

In another embodiment, the support member is adapted to rest upon a container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a combination candle holder and flower bud vase.

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a combination candle holder and flower vase.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is a top view of one embodiment of a combination candle holder and flower vase.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 4A taken along the lines 4B-4B.

FIG. 5A is a top view of still another embodiment of a combination candle holder and a flower vase.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 5A taken along the lines of 5B-5B.

FIG. 6A is a top view of a still further embodiment of a combination candle holder and a flower vase.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A taken along the lines of 6B-6B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With initial reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a combination candle holder and bud vase 20 is presented. The illustrated embodiment includes an elongated body 22 supported on a base 24 and having a top surface 26. The illustrated elongate body 22 includes decorative shapes and features along its outer surface 27. A first or primary cavity 28 is formed extending downwardly through the top surface 26. Preferably, the primary cavity 28 is sized and shaped so as to accommodate the bottom of a candle configured for mounting in a typical candle holder. As such, FIG. 1 illustrates the device 20 functioning as a candle holder with a candle disposed in the primary cavity 28.

An offset surface 30 is disposed at the bottom portion of the primary cavity. The offset 20 effectively decreases the diameter of the primary cavity 28, which in the illustrated embodiment is substantially circular in cross-section. Preferably, the offset surface 30 is generally horizontal, and helps to support the candle.

The offset surface 30 does not extend fully across the bottom of the primary cavity 28. Rather, an opening 32 through the bottom of the primary cavity 28 leads to a secondary cavity 34 formed in the body 22. Preferably, the secondary cavity 34 is enclosed so as to hold water. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary cavity 34 is elongate. More specifically, the secondary cavity 34 is sized and shaped so that it easily accommodates the long stem of a flower. As such, the illustrated combination candle holder/bud vase 20 is especially adapted to hold a single flower when the candle is removed from the primary cavity 28.

In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary cavity 34 has a substantially constant, preferably circular cross-section. Further, the diameter of the secondary cavity 34 is substantially the same throughout its length, and this diameter is smaller than the diameter of the primary cavity 28.

With reference next to FIGS. 2 and 3, another embodiment of a combination candle holder/flower vase 40 is provided. This embodiment comprises a body 42 that has a decorative design element 44, a holder element 46, and a secondary use element 48. In this embodiment, the design 44 includes an angel, and the secondary use element 48 comprises a small bowl having a cup. The holder element 46 comprises an elongate, upwardly-extending holder body 40 having a top surface 52. Like the embodiment in FIG. 1, a primary cavity 54 extends downwardly through the top surface 52, and an offset surface 56 is formed at the bottom of the primary cavity 54. An opening 58 through the bottom of the primary cavity 54 leads to a secondary cavity 60 formed within the holder body 50. The opening 58 is smaller in diameter than the primary cavity 54. As such, the primary cavity 54 is sufficient to hold a candle therein, and the candle is supported by the offset surface 56.

In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary cavity 60 does not necessarily have a reduced diameter relative to the primary cavity 54. Also, the secondary cavity 60 does not have a consistent cross-section throughout its length. However, the opening 58 preferably has a diameter reduced relative to the primary cavity 54, and preferably is shaped and configured so as to appropriately hold and stabilize a single flower stem therein. Thus, when the candle is removed, the device 40 functions quite well as a bud vase. In another embodiment, the opening 58 is sized and adapted to hold a small arrangement of flowers. Thus, as above, when not being used to hold a candle, the device 40 can be used to hold flowers, and vice versa.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, an outer surface of the holder body 22, 50 is not dictated by the shape of the primary 28, 54 and secondary cavities 34, 60 that are formed therewithin. Thus, the holder body outer surface can have graphical or physical design elements substantially independent of the shapes of the cavities.

With reference next to FIGS. 4A and 4B, in another embodiment, a combination candle holder/flower vase 70 is provided having a container 72 configured to support a candle/flower holder support 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 75 comprises a candle/flower holder member 76 that is supported by a plurality of ribs 78 that engage the container 72. The container 72 includes a plurality of notches or slots 80 that are generally complementary to the ribs 78 so that the ribs 78 fit within the slots 80 and are thus supported by the container 72. As such, the candle/flower holder member 76 is suspended above a bowl portion 82 of the container 72.

The candle/flower holder member 76 comprises an elongate body 84 having a bottom surface 86. The body 84 and bottom surface 86 are shaped and configured to support a candle in a manner similar to a typical candle holder. However, an opening 88 is formed through the bottom surface 86. Nonetheless, the bottom surface 86 is substantial enough to provide sufficient support to hold the candle.

The illustrated embodiment is flexible, and can be used in multiple ways. For example, the candle/flower holder support 74 can be removed from the container 72, leaving a common bowl 82 that can be used exclusively for flowers as with a typical vase. In another embodiment, the support 74 is placed in the container 72, and a candle is placed in the candle/flower holder 76, making an attractive candle holder. In another embodiment, the candle is placed in the candle/flower holder member 76, but simultaneously a flower arrangement is placed in the common bowl 82 of the container 72, with the flower stems accessing the common bowl by extending between the support ribs 78 of the candle/flower holder support 72. As such, a combination candle holder/flower arrangement is provided in which a candle can provide a central theme of the arrangement and is surrounded by flowers.

In still another embodiment, flowers can be placed with their stems in between the support ribs 78 as just discussed, but instead of a candle disposed in the candle/flower holder member 76, a single prominent flower may be placed with its stem extending through the opening 88. As such, the candle/flower holder member 76 supports the prominent flower in a centered position within the flower arrangement. Accordingly, the illustrated embodiment provides much flexibility in the use of the device to obtain a desirable visual appearance with or without a candle and with or without flowers.

With reference next to FIGS. 5A and 5B, another embodiment 90 is illustrated in which a container 92 defines a common bowl 94. A candle/flower holder support 96 is arranged so that it rests upon an upper edge 98 of the container 92. The illustrated candle/flower holder support 96 includes a central candle/flower holder member 100 that is connected to a plurality of surrounding candle/flower holder members 102. Each candle/flower holder member 100, 102 comprises an elongate body portion 104 and a bottom surface 106, and each holder member 100, 102 is configured to accept and support a candle therein. Additionally, each holder member includes an opening 108 through the bottom surface through which a flower stem can fit.

In the illustrated embodiment, the centrally-arranged candle/flower holder member 100 is arranged generally above the other holder members 102. The present embodiment can be used exclusively with candles, providing an arrangement in which the central candle has a prominent position. In another embodiment, the candle/flower holder 90 is used with both candles and flowers, in which flowers are arranged with their stems extending through the openings 108 of one or several of the candle/flower holder members 102 and one or more of the candle/flower holder members 100, 102 is used to support candles. Thus, the present device illustrates that an embodiment can simultaneously use some candle/flower holder members 100, 102 to support candles while others support flowers, thus creating a flexible multi-use device.

With reference next to FIGS. 6A and 6B, another embodiment of a candle-holding structure 110 is provided. In this embodiment, an elongate body 112 of a container 114, such as the elongate holder body 50 of FIG. 2, has a primary cavity 716 and then a plurality of ribs 118 extending inwardly from an inner surface 120 of the body 112, each rib 118 having an inwardly slanted portion 122 and a bottom support surface 124. The ribs 118 are arranged to support a candle placed in the primary cavity 116. Such support can be through simply holding and supporting the weight of the candle, forcing the candle into the ribs 118 so that the ribs penetrate the wax of the candle to hold the candle, or a combination of both approaches. A secondary cavity 126 is provided within the elongate body 112 below the ribs 118. Preferably, the secondary cavity 126 is watertight so as to hold water for flowers. In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs 118 fill only a small portion of the cross-sectional area defined within the elongate body 112. Thus, when the device 110 is not being used to hold a candle, there is increased space to place multiple flower stems into the elongate body 112.

It is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined with one another. For example, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, each include an offset surface 30, 56. As illustrated, the offset surface 30, 56 represents an area of reduced diameter for supporting a candle. However, it is to be understood that an offset surface can also comprise ribs 118 having bottom support surfaces 124 as disclosed in connection with FIGS. 6A and 6B. As such, an offset surface may refer to several different types of structures.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A candle and flower holding system, comprising:

a holder member adapted to selectively hold a candle or support a flower stem, the holder member comprising: a first cavity having a lateral support portion and a vertical support portion, the lateral support portion adapted to provide lateral support for a candle placed within the first cavity, the vertical support portion adapted to provide vertical support for a candle placed within the first cavity; and an aperture formed through a bottom of the first cavity, the aperture sized and configured to accommodate a flower stem extending therethrough, the aperture having a side adapted to laterally support the flower stem; and

a second cavity disposed below the holder member and being contiguous with the aperture, the second cavity configured to hold water;

wherein the system may selectively hold a candle or a flower and water without changing the system configuration.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the lateral support portion comprises a wall, and the vertical support comprises a generally horizontal surface.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the lateral support portion comprises at least one rib.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the ribs are configured to at least partially penetrate a candle engaging the ribs.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cavity has a first diameter and the second cavity has a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.

6. A support member attachable to a container, the support member configured to alternatively hold a candle or a flower and comprising:

an attachment member configured to attach the support member to the container;

a candle holder member having a longitudinal axis and comprising a first member adapted to provide vertical support for a candle disposed on the holder member, a second member adapted to provide lateral support for a candle disposed on the holder member so that the holder member selectively holds a candle generally along the longitudinal axis; and

a flower holder member comprising a lateral support surface disposed about an aperture, the aperture configured to accommodate a flower stem and having a longitudinal axis that is substantially collinear with the candle holder longitudinal axis;

wherein the support member can selectively hold either a candle or support a flower stem.

7. The support member of claim 6, wherein the candle holder member and flower holder member are contiguous.

8. The support member of claim 7, wherein the first member of the candle holder member comprises the lateral support surface disposed about the aperture of the flower holder member.

9. The support member of claim 8, wherein the support member comprises a plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members that are attached to one another.

10. The support member of claim 9 additionally comprising spaces between the plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members, the spaces adapted to accommodate flower stems extending therethrough.

11. The support member of claim 9, wherein the support member is adapted to be suspended over a bowl portion of a container so that each of the plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members communication with the bowl portion.

12. The support member of claim 6, wherein the support member is adapted to rest upon a container.