JEWELRY APPARATUS WITH LIVING ORNAMENTAL MATERIAL

Abstract

A jewelry apparatus with living ornamental materials. The jewelry apparatus (e.g., inserted into rings, necklaces, lockets, bracelets, etc. or integral thereto) with living ornamental materials includes a base component with a receptacle in which a living material substrate is placed and a cover restraining component through which the living ornament materials grow. The cover restraining portion is to the bottom portion and also prevents the living material substrate and living materials from falling out of the base component. The living material substrate includes seeds for various types of plants and trees and nutrients to allow the seeds to grow. As the seeds germinate and grow, they grow upwards out of the base component and provide jewelry with living, growing, renewable ornamental materials.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. utility application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application no. 61/168,648, filed Apr. 13, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to jewelry. More specifically, it relates to jewelry that includes living ornamental material such as flowers, plants, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many different types of jewelry available in the world. However, such jewelry is typically ornamental and not modifiable without considerable expertise.

In addition, there are many different types of jewelry. For example, there are lockets, rings, bracelets, etc. that include components. However, chamber included in this jewelry is typically not designed to hold any living materials. Such jewelry is typically created with precious metals and the chambers contained in such jewelry holds photographs, inscriptions, etc.

The presence of growing plants and their exchange of gases and water vapor affects the humidity, air quality and temperature in their growing environment.

Growing plants loose water via transpiration, the humidity (i.e., water vapor) in the air increases. A boundary layer of air supplies the plant with CO₂ and also holds much of the moisture transpired by the plant.

Growing plants absorb Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) so CO₂ levels also drop and oxygen (O₂) increases as plants complete photosynthesis. Thus, growing plants remove CO₂ from the air and add O₂ to the air.

When water vapor produced by growing plants condenses, that energy released is usually in the form of heat, raising the temperature of the environment. However, plants are often grown in containers such as glass containers. Glass containers have surface temperatures that are significantly colder than those of the growing plants.

As moisture laden air gets close to the colder surface of the glass containers it starts to get cooled and so the relative humidity increases. The more the moisture laden air is cooled, the higher the relative humidity becomes. Against the cold surface of the glass, the temperature of the air now drops below its dew point temperature and liquid water drops out as condensation.

There have been attempts to provide hinged jewelry. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,241, that issued to Tammy Kohl entitled “ finger ring,” teaches “the present invention discloses a finger ring having at least two member, preferably toroidal, that are connected together at a point by a hinge. Diametrically opposite the hinge point, the first member has a clasp hingably connected thereto. Diametrically opposite the hinge point, the second member has a catch. In a closed position, the clasp engages with the catch to form a finger ring having unitary appearance. The first and second members can be configured with informative and decorative indicia on the inner mating surfaces of the members.”

U.S. Design Patent No. D392,585, that issued to Tammy Kohl entitled “Treasure ring ” teaches “an ornamental design for a treasure ring, as shown and described.”

The popular novelty item, the “Chia Pet,” is also an example of an ornamental object that includes living materials. The Chia Pet is an ornamental object, a grooved terra cotta figurine such as a dog, cat, etc. that includes plural ridges where plant seeds are spread into. As the seeds germinate and grow, the plant seeds become part of the ornamental object (e.g., hair, fur, etc.).

Chia Pets are grown by applying moistened chia seeds (Salvia hispanica), the sprout-like plant from whose common name the Chia Pet gets its name, to the grooved terra cotta figurine body. After three to five days of filling and refilling the Chia Pet with water, the seeds sprout having formed a gelatinous coat that adheres to the Chia Pet's body. At this point, little effort is required to maintain the plant covering of the Chia Pet.

However, none of these solutions solve all of the problems associated with jewelry with living materials. Thus, it is desirable to provide jewelry that allows living material such as plants to be include as a component of the jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, some of the problems associated jewelry and living materials are overcome. A jewelry apparatus with living ornamental materials is presented.

The jewelry apparatus (e.g., inserted into rings, necklaces, lockets, bracelets, etc. or integral thereto) with living ornamental materials includes a base component with a receptacle in which a living material substrate is placed and a cover restraining component through which the living ornament materials grow. The cover restraining portion covers the bottom portion and also prevents the living material substrate and living materials from falling out of the base component. The living material substrate includes seeds for various types of plants and trees and nutrients to allow the seeds to grow. As the seeds germinate and grow, they grow upwards out of the base component and provide jewelry with living, growing, renewable ornamental materials.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description. The detailed description proceeds with references to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary jewelry apparatus in a disengaged (i.e., open) configuration inserted into a finger ring with a receiving component;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a side view of the exemplary jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1A in an engaged (i.e., closed) configuration inserted into a finger ring with a receiving component;

FIG. 1C is a digital photograph illustrating an exemplary jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1 in a disengaged (i.e., open) configuration inserted into a finger ring with a receiving component;

FIG. 1D is a digital photograph illustrating an exemplary jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1 in an engaged (i.e., closed) configuration inserted into a finger ring with a receiving component;

FIG. 2A is a digital photograph illustrating a living materials substrate added to the jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a digital photograph illustrating a living materials substrate with sprouted seeds added to the jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a side view of the jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1 with living materials including sprouted seeds;

FIG. 3B is a digital photograph illustrating a side view of the jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1 with living materials including sprouted seeds;

FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating a bio-container for storing the jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a digital photograph illustrating a bio-container for storing the jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1 in a bracelet, necklace and pin each with a receiving apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary jewelry apparatus in a disengaged (i.e., open) configuration with living ornamental material integral with a finger ring;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating other exemplary connection means to connect the base component and cover restraining component of the jewel apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Jewelry Apparatus with Living Ornamental Material

FIG. 1A is a block diagram 10 illustrating an exemplary jewelry apparatus 12 in a disengaged (i.e., open) configuration insertable into a finger ring 14 with a receiving component 16. The jewelry apparatus 12 includes a base component 18 and a cover restraining component 20.

The connection component 22 connects the base component 18 to the cover restraining component 20. The connection component 22 allows the cover restraining component 20 to be engaged and disengaged from a top portion of the base component 18 (i.e., opened and closed.) The connection component 22 includes many different connection means.

In one embodiment, the cover restraining component 20 is connected to the base component 18 with a connection component 22 including a hinge. (FIG. 1A). The connection component 22 allows the cover restraining component 20 to be engaged and disengaged from a top portion of the base component 18 (i.e., opened and closed.). For simplicity, FIGS. 1-6 are illustrated only with a hinged connection component 22. However, the present invention is not limited to the hinged embodiments and many other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention

In another embodiment, the cover restraining component 20 is connected to the base component 18 via a screw connection component 82 (FIG. 7). As is known in the art, a screw connection means 82 is a type of fastener characterized by a helical ridge on a first component, known as an external thread wrapped around a second component. Screw threads in the first component are designed to mate with a complementary thread, known as an internal thread on a second component, often in the form of an object that has the internal thread formed into it. In such an embodiment, the cover restraining component 20 includes the internal thread 84 and the base component 18 includes the external thread 86 (FIG. 7). FIG. 7 illustrates only a portion of the two component 18, 20 with threads. In another embodiment, different portions of the two components 18, 20 may include threads.

In another embodiment, the thread types are reversed and the base component includes the internal thread and the cover restraining component 20 includes the external thread. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention.

In another embodiment, the cover restraining component 20 is connected to the base component 18 via a snap connection component 88 (FIG. 7). In such an embodiment, the snap connection component 88 includes one or more bulbous protrusions 90 on the base component 18 that engage one or more bulbous depressions 92 in cover restraining component 20. In another embodiment, only the bulbous protrusions 90 in the base component 18 are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiments and other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention.

In the another embodiment, the cover restraining component 20 is a connected to the base component 18 via compression connection component 94 (FIG. 7). In one embodiment, the cover restraining component 20 includes a compression connection component 94 with a washer 96 that is compressed against the base component 18 to prevent separation of the two components. In another embodiment, the base component 18 includes the compression connection component (i.e., the washer 96). The washer 96 includes, rubber, metal, plastic, wood, composite or other materials. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention.

In another embodiment the cover restraining component 20 is a connected to the base component 18 via size-shape placement connection component 98 (FIG. 7). In such an embodiment, both components 18, 20 are specifically sized and shaped to fit tightly on each other. The size-shape placement connection component 98 includes placing the components 18, 20 together with hand pressure. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention.

In another embodiment the cover restraining component 20 is connected to the base component 18 via a magnetic connection component 100. Small magnetic components 102 are placed on a bottom portion of the cover restraining component 20 and on a top portion of the base component 18. In such an embodiment only a small portion of the cover restraining component 20 and the base component 18 include magnetic components since large magnetic fields are detrimental to credit and debit cards, mobile phones, etc. and can delete and/or alter data stored on such devices. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention.

In another embodiment the cover restraining component 20 is a connected to the base component 18 via a pin-lock connection component 104 (FIG. 7). In such an embodiment the cover restraining component 20 includes plural pins 106 and the base component 18 includes plural pin receptacles 108 for engaging and locking the plural pins 106. FIG. 7 illustrates, flat rectangular pins. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other shapes (e.g., circular, oval, square, trapezoid etc.) can also be used to practice the invention. In addition, the invention is not limited to the size and shape of the plural pin receptacles illustrated in FIG. 7 and other sizes and shapes can also be used to practice the invention. In another embodiment, the plural pins 106 are located in the base component 18 and the plural pin receptacles are located in the cover restraining component 20.

Such an embodiment is illustrated with 112 of FIG. 7 In such an embodiment, the plural pins 106 of cover restraining component 20 are aligned 114 with the plural pin receptacles 108. The cover restraining component 20 is then twisted 116 to engage and lock the cover restraining component 20 in an end notch 110 in a pin receptacle 108. To remove the cover restraining component 20, the component 20 is twisted in the opposite direction for engaging to disengage and unlock the pins 106 from the end notches 110 and then the pin receptacles 108. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention.

Various other connection means can be used to keep the base component 18 and the cover restraining component 20 connected. FIGS. 1-6 all illustrate a hinged connection component 22 in a single piece of jewelry a finger ring 14. for simplicity. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and all other embodiments described herein and other equivalent embodiments can also be used to practice the invention.

The finger ring 14 (and other pieces of jewelry) has a receiving component 16 for receiving the apparatus 12. The apparatus 12 further includes a bio-container 58 (FIG. 4) for storing the apparatus 12 and for providing a suitable bio-environment for allowing and maintaining grow of the living ornamental materials in the apparatus 12.

The base component 18 includes a water-proof receptacle portion 24 for receiving a growing medium for growing living materials such as plant seeds, vegetable seeds, vegetable seedlings, plant seedlings, tree seeds, tree seedlings, flower seeds, flower seedlings, seedlings of any kind, small plants or small trees, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to the living materials described and any living ornamental or non-ornamental materials that will grow can be used to practice the invention. Non-living, fake materials can also be used to practice the invention (e.g., plastic flowers, silk flowers, etc.).

The base component 18 and/or connection component 20 and/or the cover restraining component 20 includes precious metals (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, tungsten, titanium, etc.) non-precious metals (e.g., steel, stainless steel, copper, bronze, etc.), rubber, plastic, wood, ceramic, composite materials, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to the materials described and virtually any durable material can be used to practice the invention.

In one embodiment, the cover restraining component 20 is the same material as the base component 18. In another embodiment, the cover restraining component 20 is not the same material than the base component 18.

In one embodiment, the water-proof receptacle portion 24 in the base component 18 is a water-proof coating. In another embodiment it includes an insert 26.

In one embodiment, the water-proof receptacle portion 24 is coated with a waterproof chemical coating to avoid damaging any materials used to create the base component 18. For example, the water-proof receptacle portion 24 may be coated with a high polymer acrylic waterproof coating. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other types of waterproof coatings may also be used to practice the invention.

In another embodiment, the water-proof receptacle portion 24 is a coating coated with a different material than that used to create the base component 18. For example, if the base component is made from silver, which can corrode when it comes in contact with moisture, the water-proof receptacle portion 24 of the base component 18 can be coated with another metal such as stainless steel, which is less prone to corrosion. Various combinations of precious metals, non-precious metals and other materials can be used to practice the invention.

In another embodiment, the water-proof receptacle portion is a removable/insertable insert 26 that fits into the water-proof receptacle portion 24 in the base component 18. The insert 26 includes organic materials with a water-proof outer coating such as peat moss, corn starch, paper etc. other materials, such as rubber, plastic, ceramic, composite materials, etc. The insert 26 is used to protect an inside surface of the base component 18 and also to contain the living materials added to the water-proof receptacle portion 24 in the base component 18. In another embodiment, the insert 26 does not include a water-proof outer coating.

In one embodiment, the insert 26 only includes organic materials that are also biodegradable. In such an embodiment, the apparatus 12 would not add any non-biodegradable waste to the environment.

The hinge connection component 22 includes precious metals (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, etc.) non-precious metals (e.g., stainless steel, steel, copper, bronze, etc.), rubber, plastic, wood, ceramic composite materials, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to the materials described and virtually any durable material can be used to practice the invention.

In one embodiment, the connection component 22 is the same material as the base component 18. In another embodiment, the connection component 22 is the same material is the cover restraining component 20. In another embodiment, the connection component 22 is the same material as the base component 18 which is the same material as the cover restraining component 20. In another embodiment, the connection component is not the same material as either the base component 18 and/or the cover restraining component.

The cover restraining component 20 includes a removable and interchangeable retaining component 28 with a plurality of restraining portions in a pre-determined configuration including plural solid retaining portions 30 and one or more hollow retaining portions 32 for retaining the growing medium and the growing living ornamental materials in the base component 18 and for allowing the living ornamental materials to extend out of the base component 18 and the cover restraining component 20 as the living ornamental materials grow.

FIG. 1A illustrates a removable and interchangeable retaining component 28 with plural solid retaining components 30 in a pre-determined configuration in the shape of the English letter “Y” and plural hollow retaining portions 32. The letter “Y” can also be thought of as a portion of a “peace symbol” inside the circular cover restraining component 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and other removable and interchangeable retaining component 28 in other pre-determined configurations including other letters from languages other than English and other symbols can also be used to practice the invention.

As another example, the removable and interchangeable retaining component may have the shape of the English letter “K” 28′ to allow four separate types of seeds (or seeds of different color flowers, etc.) to grow out of the water-proof receptacle portion 24 via the hollow portions 32 of the letter “K” 28′ and retained by the plural solid portions 30 of the components of the letter “K”.

The removable and interchangeable retaining component 28 may also have a pattern shape (e.g., zig-zag, wave, etc.) or a word shape in any language, or any geometric shape pattern shape (e.g., a square, triangle, trapezoid, rhombus, etc.) instead of letter shape. The pattern shape may include customized openings to spell out different words in different fonts or scripts such as a name of a wearer (e.g., Tammy, etc.) or other words to add further customizations for a user.

In one embodiment, The removable and interchangeable retaining component 28 is customizable by user using a kit included with apparatus 12 including a variety letters, patterns, shapes, etc. and/or plural components to constructs such letters, patterns and shapes.

The plural solid retaining portions 30 retain growing materials placed in the water-proof receptacle portion 24 of the based component 18 and prevent the growing materials from falling out of the apparatus 12.

The plural hollow retaining portions 32 allow any living materials contained in the water-proof depression of the base component 18 to grow up and out of the base component 18 and through the cover restraining component 20.

In one embodiment, removable and interchangeable retaining components 28′ include small tabs or flanges 34 that allow it to be snapped into the cover restraining component 20. The small tabs or flanges 34 allow the removable and interchangeable retaining component 28 to be easily inserted into and removed from the cover restraining component 20.

In another embodiment, the removable and interchangeable retaining components 28″ are attached to a shape (e.g., a circle, oval, etc.) of a pre-determined size and shape that matches a pre-determined size and shape of the cover restraining component 20. In such an embodiment, the removable and interchangeable retaining component 28″ is placed into the cover restraining component 20 from a bottom side of the cover restraining component 20 and snaps into the cover restraining component 20. Such an embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1A with the English letter “T” 28″.

Depending on the ornamental living materials being grown, the cover restraining component 20 may include an additional restraining component including a screen or netting material to prevent small seeds in the substrate material from falling out the base component 18. However, the openings in the screen or netting material are large enough to allow the living materials that sprout from the small seeds to pass through as they grow. However the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and the invention can be practiced without the additional restraining components.

However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiment and other embodiments can also be used to practice the invention.

The apparatus 12 is illustrated inserted in a finger ring. However, the present invention is not limited to finger rings and the apparatus 12 can also include other types of jewelry such as lockets, necklaces, bracelets, pins, broaches, etc. Such embodiments in other types of jewelry include the same components 12, 18-32 in other sizes and shapes, specifically sized and shaped for the specific type of jewelry being used (See FIG. 5).

FIG. 1B is a block diagram 36 illustrating a side view of an exemplary jewelry apparatus 12 in a engaged (i.e., closed) configuration into the finger ring 14 of the FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a digital photograph 38 illustrating an exemplary jewelry apparatus 12 in a disengaged (i.e., open) configuration.

FIG. 1D is a digital photograph 40 illustrating an exemplary jewelry apparatus 12 in an engaged (i.e., closed) configuration.

FIG. 2A is a digital photograph 42 illustrating exemplary living materials substrate 44 added to the jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1. Plural plant seeds 46 are visible in the substrate 44 in FIG. 2A.

In one embodiment, the living materials substrate is an organic material or a synthetic material to which a small amount of fertilizer and plural seeds have been added. The living materials substrate 44 is a pre-determined size and shape that fits into the water-proof receptacle portion 24 of the base component 18.

In one embodiment, the living materials substrate 44 is malleable and can be formed into various sizes and shapes. For example, it can be formed to one size and shape for a finger ring and another size and shape for a necklace, etc. In another embodiment, the living materials substrate 44 is pre-formed into a desired size and shape during a manufacturing process.

In one embodiment, organic materials used for the living materials substrate 44 include organic matter enriched soil. In such an embodiment, the organic materials include organic materials made from paper, corn starch, peat moss, etc. to which a small amount of fertilizer or other types of essential plant nutrients have been added.

In one embodiment, the synthetic materials used for the living materials substrate 44 include a synthetic material having all nutrients essential for plant growth. In one very specific embodiment, U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,242 describes an active synthetic soil. This soil comprises “a synthetic apatite fertilizer having sulfur, magnesium and micronutrients dispersed in a calcium phosphate matrix, a zeolite cation exchange medium saturated with a charge of potassium and nitrogen cations, and an optional pH buffer. Moisture dissolves the apatite and mobilizes the nutrient elements from the apatite matrix and the zeolite charge sites.” However, the invention can be practiced with use of such a material described in this patent and is not limited to use of the material from this patent.

In another embodiment, the synthetic material includes a polystyrene plastic (e.g., Styrofoam) or other types of plastics, etc. In another embodiment, the living materials substrate includes natural or synthetic sponges that include fertilizer.

In another embodiment, the living materials substrate is not used at all and seeds that have a gelatinous surface when moistened with water are used. The gelatinous surface of the seeds naturally clings to the inside of the water-proof receptacle portion 24. Gelatinous seeds include, but are not limited to, seeds such as Wheatgrass, Cress, Flax, Arugula Basil, Mustard, Rocket, Pysllium, many varieties of Beans, etc. are gelatinous seeds. Gelatinous seeds form a gelatinous sac around the seed when it gets wet. The gelatinous sac is sticky and clings to other seeds and the sides of the water-proof receptacle portion 24.

In another embodiment, a natural or synthetic gelatinous material is added to the seeds that do not naturally have the gelatinous material. In such an embodiment, the gelatinous material is sticky and clings to other seeds and the sides of the water-proof receptacle portion 24.

However, the present invention is not limited to the organic and synthetic materials described and virtually any other organic and/or synthetic material can be used to practice the invention.

FIG. 2B is a digital photograph 48 illustrating a living materials substrate 44 with sprouted seedlings 50 added to the jewelry apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram 52 illustrating a side view of the jewelry apparatus 12 of FIG. 1 with living materials including sprouted seedlings 50.

FIG. 3B is a digital photograph 52 illustrating a side view of the jewelry apparatus 12 of FIG. 1 with living materials including sprouted seedlings 50. The apparatus 12 illustrates the base component 18, the cover restraining component 20, wherein the cover restraining component 20 is partially disengaged from the base component 18 (i.e., partially opened). The living materials substrate 44 with sprouted seedlings 50 is partially visible though the partial disengagement.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram 56 illustrating a bio-container 58 for storing the jewelry apparatus 12 of FIG. 1 inserted into the finger ring 14.

FIG. 4B is a digital photograph 60 illustrating a bio-container 40 for storing the jewelry apparatus 12 of FIG. 1 inserted into the finger ring 14.

The bio-container 58 includes a cover component 60 and a storage component 62. The apparatus 12, with or without the associated piece of jewelry, is placed into the storage component 62 and the cover component 60 is placed over the top of the storage component 62. The bio-container allows the living materials 50 in apparatus 12 to be contained in a small self-contained biosphere in which the living materials can grow in a semi-closed environment in which water vapor generated during photosynthesis and transpiration of the living materials is recycle and not lost. This bio-container 58 thereby prevents the living materials from losing water, drying out, etc.

In one embodiment, the bio-container 58 includes glass, plastic, composite materials, corn starch, and other materials. In one preferred embodiment, the bio-container 58 is transparent to allow the living ornamental material to receive sunlight and artificial light. In another embodiment, the bio-container 58 is translucent and/or opaque. In such an embodiment, the apparatus 12 may be used to grow living materials that require reduced light and/or do not require light for growth at all (e.g., mushrooms, ferns, fungi etc.).

The bio-container 58 allows the apparatus 12 to be used for ornamental purposes, school science experiments, etc. The bio-container 58 also allows a user to grow a variety of different living materials to place in the apparatus 12.

For example, a user may wear apparatus 12 as a finger ring with green living materials on a daily basis. However, the user may be attending and event in which she desires to wear a certain color dress. In advance of such an event the user may desire to add flower seeds 46 to the living materials substrate 44 and grow flowers that match the color of her dress for the desired event. The bio-container 58 includes enough room to grow plural living materials substrates 44 at once.

To keep the living materials alive in the apparatus 12, a user simply just needs to periodically add water to the living materials substrate 44 and keep the apparatus 12 in the bio-container 58 when the apparatus is not being used. The living materials substrate 44 includes all the nutrients the seeds 46 need to germinate and continue to grow.

Any time a user desires to change the living materials displayed by the apparatus 12, he/she need only open the cover restraining portion 20 and remove the living materials substrate 44 from the water-proof receptacle portion 24 in the base component 18 and replace it with a new and/or different living materials substrate with new and/or different seeds.

A user can also use the apparatus 12 to grow all different types of plants that can be subsequently transplanted into another pot, garden, etc. For example, a user may grow flower seeds 48 for a desired event then transfer the living materials substrate 44 to a flower pot.

As another example, in the spring a user may add vegetable seeds (e.g., tomato, pepper, etc.) to the living materials substrate 44 and enjoy the growing plant materials ornamentally. When the seedlings 50 are large enough, the user may then plant the vegetable plant seedlings in a garden and grew the seedlings into mature vegetable plants.

As another example, a user may desire to plant some trees in his/her yard. Tree seeds can be added to the apparatus 12. As the tree seeds grow into seedlings, the user can enjoy carrying around a little tree. When the tree seedlings are big enough they can be transferred to the user's yard, wherein they can grew into full size trees.

As can be easily seen, the apparatus 12 can be used for many different purposes. Many different types of plants can be grown in the apparatus 12.

However, the present invention is not limited to the living or non-living materials described and virtually any other living or non-living materials can be used to practice the invention

The apparatus 12 is not only ornamental. The living plants absorb CO₂ and produce O₂, and water vapor, so on a very small scale, the apparatus 12 improves the air quality environment of a user's living space and/or the air quality of the earth in general. Thus, the apparatus 12 is bio-friendly and provides renewable living ornamental materials.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram 66 illustrating an exemplary jewelry apparatus 12 with a bracelet 68, necklace 70, broach/pin 72 and earring 74 (earring illustrated as larger than actual size), each with a receiving component 76 for the apparatus 12. The earrings may be pierced or clip-on. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and the invention can be used in other types of jewelry. (Not illustrated in FIG. 5). In one embodiment, the jewelry with receiving component 76 is thick enough to accommodate all of the apparatus 12. In another embodiment, the jewelry with receiving component 76 is not thick enough to accommodate all of the apparatus 12 and some portion of the apparatus 12 extends beyond the body of the jewelry.

The apparatus 12 may also be inserted into other jewelry types including anklets, toe rings and piercing jewelry. The piercing jewelry may include a navel ring, a tongue ring, a nasal piercing, a lip ring, an eyebrow ring, or an earring for the top of your ear, etc.

In another embodiment, the apparatus 12 is integral (i.e., built in as a component of the jewelry when it is manufactured) to a piece of jewelry and is not insertable and removable.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram 76 illustrating an exemplary jewelry apparatus 12 in a disengaged (i.e., open) configuration with living ornamental material integral with a finger ring 78. In FIG. 6 the jewelry apparatus 12 is not insertable or removable and is an integral part of the finger ring 78 inserted during manufacture of the finger ring 78. The apparatus 12 may also be integral to the other types of jewelry described herein (68, 70, 72, 74 of FIG. 5, etc.).

However, the present invention is not limited to the types of jewelry described and virtually any other types of jewelry can be used to practice the invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram 80 illustrating other exemplary connection means to connect the base component and cover restraining component of the jewel apparatus. FIG. 7 illustrates a screw connection means 82 and a snap connections means 88, a compression connection means 94, a placement connection means 98, a magnetic connection means 100 and a pin-lock connection means 104. However, the present invention is not limited to the connection means described and virtually any connection means can be used to practice the invention

In one embodiment, the apparatus 12 is selectively insertable and removable from a piece of jewelry. In such an embodiment, the apparatus 12 can be removed from a first piece of jewelry and used and re-used in other types of jewelry (e.g., FIG. 5). In such an embodiment, the other types of jewelry have a receiving component that receives the apparatus 12. This embodiment allows the apparatus 12 to be quickly and easily changed from one piece of jewelry (e.g., a finger ring 14 , etc.) to another piece of jewelry (e.g., a necklace 68, etc.).

It should be understood that the components, processes and methods described herein are not related or limited to any particular type of materials or orderings unless indicated otherwise. Various types of general purpose or specialized components may be used with or perform operations in accordance with the teachings described herein.

In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the principles of the present invention can be applied, it should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention. For example, more or fewer or equivalent elements may be used in the block diagrams.

While various elements of the preferred embodiments have been described as being implemented in specific materials, in other embodiments other implementations may alternatively be used, with different combinations of materials and vice-versa.

The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. In addition, use of the term “means” in any claim is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, and any claim without the word “means” is not so intended.

Therefore, all embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.

Claims

1. A jewelry apparatus with living ornamental materials, comprising:

a base component including a water-proof receptacle portion for receiving a growing medium and for storing and growing living ornamental materials insertable into and removable from a piece of jewelry with a receiving component to receive the base component;

a cover restraining component including a removable and interchangeable retaining component with a plurality of retaining portions in a pre-determined configuration including a plurality of solid retaining portions and one or more hollow retaining portions for retaining the growing medium and for growing the living ornamental materials in the base component and for allowing the living ornamental materials to extend out of the base component and the cover restraining component as the living ornamental materials grow in the base component;

a connection component for connecting the base component to the cover restraining component and for allowing the cover restraining component to be engaged and disengaged from a top portion of the base component to insert and remove the growing medium and the living ornamental materials;

the growing medium;

the living ornamental materials;

the piece of jewelry with the receiving component; and

a bio-container component for storing the jewelry apparatus either with or without the piece of jewelry with the receiving component and for providing a suitable controlled bio-environment for maintaining growth of the living ornamental materials in the growing medium in the jewelry apparatus.

2. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base component, the cover restraining component and the connection component include precious metals.

3. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the precious metals include gold, silver, platinum, titanium and tungsten.

4. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base component, the cover restraining component and the connection component include combinations of precious metals, non-precious metals, rubber, plastic, ceramic composite materials or wood materials.

5. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-precious metals include steel, stainless steel, copper, or bronze.

6. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein water-proof receptacle portion includes a removable/insertable insert component insertable into and removable from the water-proof receptacle in the base component for further protecting an inside surface of the base component from corrosion and for containing the living ornamental materials added to the water-proof receptacle in the base component preventing contact with the water-proof receptacle of the base component.

7. The jewelry apparatus of claim 6 wherein the removable/insertable insert component includes bio-degradable organic materials with an outer water-proof coating including peat moss, corn starch or paper other non-organic non-biodegradable materials including as rubber, plastic or composite materials.

8. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the water-proof receptacle portion includes a water-proof coating applied to an inside surface of base component including a water-proof chemical.

9. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the water-proof receptacle portion includes a metal coating of a second type of metal different from a first type of metal used to create the base component wherein the second type of metal is less prone to corrosion than the first type of metal.

10. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interchangeable retaining component includes shape of a letter, a shape of a word, a pattern shape or a geometric shape.

11. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the removable and interchangeable retaining component is customizable by a user of the jewelry apparatus.

12. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the growing medium includes an organic growing medium or a synthetic growing medium.

13. The jewelry apparatus of claim 12 wherein the synthetic growing medium includes a polystyrene plastic material.

14. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the growing medium includes plant seeds, flowers seeds, tree seeds or vegetable seeds or plant seedlings, flower seedlings, tree seedling or vegetable seedlings.

15. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plant seeds, flowers seeds, tree seeds or vegetable seeds are coated with a natural or synthetic gelatinous material that is sticky and clings to other seeds and the sides of the water-proof receptacle potion and prevents the seeds from drying out until they are able to germinate.

16. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of pieces of jewelry including a finger ring, toe ring, bracelet, earrings, necklace, broach or pin each including a receiving component for receiving the base component.

17. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the living ornamental materials are replaced with non-living ornamental materials.

18. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the a bio-container component includes a glass, plastic, composite material or corn starch material.

19. The jewelry apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connection component includes a hinged, screw, snap, compression, size-shape placement or pin-lock connection component.

20. A jewelry apparatus with living ornamental materials integral to a piece of jewelry, comprising:

a base component including a water-proof receptacle portion for receiving a growing medium and for storing and growing living ornamental materials integral to the piece of jewelry;

a cover restraining component including a removable and interchangeable retaining component with a plurality of retaining portions in a pre-determined configuration including a plurality of solid retaining portions and one or more hollow retaining portions for retaining the growing medium and the growing living ornamental materials in the base component and for allowing the living ornamental materials to extend out of the base component and the cover restraining component as the living ornamental materials grow in the base component;

a connection component for connecting the base component to the cover restraining component and for allowing the cover restraining component to be engaged and disengaged from a top portion of the base component to insert and remove the growing medium and the living ornamental materials;

the growing medium;

the living ornamental materials; and

a bio-container component for storing the jewelry apparatus and for providing a suitable controlled bio-environment for maintaining growth of the living ornamental materials in the jewelry apparatus.

21. The jewelry apparatus of claim 20 wherein the piece of jewelry includes a finger ring, toe ring, bracelet, earring, necklace, broach or pin.