Patents by Inventor Peter Marlow

Peter Marlow has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20120121826
    Abstract: An artificial flower device gradually opens a simulated corolla and gradually upwardly extends a surprise gift following an actuation. In one embodiment, the actuation comprises exposing a portion of a stem of the device to a liquid to thereby dissolve a pellet which otherwise impedes actuation. In another embodiment, the actuation comprises pushing a button on the stem to thereby release a latch. In one embodiment, animation activity is driven by the bias force of a resilient spring, the rate of animation activity is controlled by a dashpot, a resilient compensation spring regulates an animation delay time, a plurality of hinge configurations enables the petals of the corolla to open with individual variations of rate and degree, a plunger comprising helical grooves imparts a rotation to the surprise gift during the ascent thereof, and manually sliding a sleeve returns energy to the springs and resets the flower for reuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Peter Marlow
  • Patent number: 7861444
    Abstract: A device which simulates natural flowering actions, including growth and efflorescence, is actuated by partial immersion of a stem into a liquid. An aperture through the stem base admits the liquid into the stem. A piston slidably disposed within the stem is driven downwardly by the bias force of a resilient spring while an agent which impedes the piston motion dissolves in the liquid. Growth is simulated by a sleeve outside the stem which descends in relation thereto to push the flower upwardly. A simulated corolla is attached to the stem and gradually rotates and opens during the ascent thereof. A cam controls the pivotal position of lifters which open and close the corolla. The petals of the corolla vibrate before opening and open with variations in starting time. As the corolla opens, a surprise gift, gradually ascending on a presentation platform, is revealed. The device may be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Peter Marlow
  • Patent number: 7842359
    Abstract: A device simulating a blooming flower includes a piston slidably disposed within an elongated tube simulating a flower stem. A chamber within the stem is configured to hold a dissolvable solid material. The piston is biased upwardly, but held in place by the dissolvable solid material placed in the chamber above the piston. A simulated flower is attached to the end of the stem or piston and has a plurality of simulated petals configured to open as the stem is placed in a liquid, the solid material dissolves, and the piston moves upwardly within the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Peter Marlow
  • Publication number: 20080311315
    Abstract: A device which simulates natural flowering actions, including growth and efflorescence, is actuated by partial immersion of a stem into a liquid. In one embodiment, a piston slidably disposed within the stem is driven upwardly by the bias force of a resilient spring while an agent which impedes the piston motion dissolves in the liquid. In another embodiment, the piston is pushed upwardly by an expansive force of a liquid-absorbing material. An inner stem, operably connected to the piston, is slidably disposed within the stem and projects upwardly therefrom. A simulated corolla is attached to the inner stem and gradually opens and rotates during an ascent thereof. The petals of the corolla, in one embodiment, open with individual variations in starting time, rate and extent. As the corolla opens, a surprise object, gradually ascending on a presentation platform, is revealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Marlow
  • Publication number: 20080311316
    Abstract: A device which simulates natural flowering actions, including growth and efflorescence, is actuated by partial immersion of a stem into a liquid. An aperture through the stem base admits the liquid into the stem. A piston slidably disposed within the stem is driven downwardly by the bias force of a resilient spring while an agent which impedes the piston motion dissolves in the liquid. Growth is simulated by a sleeve outside the stem which descends in relation thereto to push the flower upwardly. A simulated corolla is attached to the stem and gradually rotates and opens during the ascent thereof. A cam controls the pivotal position of lifters which open and close the corolla. The petals of the corolla vibrate before opening and open with variations in starting time. As the corolla opens, a surprise gift, gradually ascending on a presentation platform, is revealed. The device may be reused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Marlow
  • Publication number: 20070143903
    Abstract: A device simulating a blooming flower includes a piston slidably disposed within an elongated tube simulating a flower stem. A chamber within the stem is configured to hold a dissolvable solid material. The piston is biased upwardly, but held in place by the dissolvable solid material placed in the chamber above the piston. A simulated flower is attached to the end of the stem or piston and has a plurality of simulated petals configured to open as the stem is placed in a liquid, the solid material dissolves, and the piston moves upwardly within the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventor: Peter Marlow