Method and Kit for Adorning Bouquets and Gifts with Personalized Messages

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and kit for adornment and accompaniment of gifts, in particular bouquets and floral arrangements, with personalized greetings and messages intended for the recipient. The method comprises placing personalized notes, messages or other adornments on a small piece of material, placing the material in communication with a skewer and placing the skewer in the bouquet or otherwise attaching to a similar gift basket or arrangement. The notes may take the form of card stock, paper, or other similar material, while the messages themselves may be personalized or provided to suit a variety of holidays, events or occasions. The shape, size and color of the notes may be any ornamental style to suit the user. The kit includes a plurality of prepackaged messages on skewers, or provides blank cards attached to skewers for the user to write his or her own messages to the recipient.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/366,760 filed on Jul. 22, 2010, entitled “Messages on a Stick.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to personalized messages associated with gift baskets, bouquets or similar items. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a method of adorning a gift with event coordinated messages, personal notes or similar written or drawn ornamentation. Along with the disclosed method is a kit that includes a plurality of gift messages, each attached to a skewer and packaged for use for a specific occasion, for the user to personalize the message, or more generally to a set of messages that fit a plurality of occasions.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Gift baskets, bouquets and floral arrangements are common gifts for specific events. They provide a soothing visual, pleasant smell and a heart-warming ambiance for certain situations. They are commonly provided as gifts for celebratory events such as graduations and other accomplishments, gifts for loved ones, or gifts for get-well situations where an individual is recovering or in a medical treatment facility. These gifts may comprise floral arrangements including flowers and other plants, along with a basket or base from which to grow or be support from. Gift baskets may alternatively replace flowers with a plurality of personal goods, such as treats, soap and candles.

Providing a greeting or message with this type of arrangement is sometimes difficult. A card or message must be attached or be placed next to the arrangement for the user to open and read. It is possible for the card to be misplaced or be moved, or the card may not convey an instant message as desired by the sender. Further, if the recipient is injured, he or she may be unable to open or read the contents of the card. An improved method of decoration, personalization and adornment for gift arrangements is needed; particularly one that immediately conveys the intended message, requires no work to access and improves the visual ornamentation of the arrangement while serving a function.

The present invention provides a method of adorning gift arrangements and bouquets with personalized or preprinted messages by attaching the same to a skewer and placing the skewer into the base of the arrangement or otherwise attaching it. The provided kit provides a plurality of messages on a skewer type device, either dedicated for a specific event, such as a holiday, providing blank notes for personalized messages, or alternatively providing a series of messages intended for a plurality of holidays or occasions for a consumer to purchase in one package. The notes may be paper, card stock or similar material, while their shape, border or ornamentation may differ depending upon intent, occasion or personal preferences.

Several devices have been disclosed in the art for providing messages or personalization of gifts. Most include devices for placement within a flower bud or attachment to a stem thereof. These devices fail to provide a message system that is capable of functioning with multiple gift products and provide personalized greetings and notes thereon.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,550 to Skonecki is one such device in which a natural flower is provided with a personalized message or drawing inscribed on its petals using an ink or similar marking means. U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,940 to Geiges is another such device in which a method and system is described for implanting a gift or message into a blooming plant via a plug from the base portion of the plant bud. The plug is replaced and sealed with grafting wax, which allows the message to be placed within a bud and subsequently displayed when the bud blooms and its pedals open. These devices are suited for imbedding a message directly into a flower bud for presentation and exposure after the bud has bloomed and the petals spread to reveal the hidden message. While this serves a unique role for providing both a flower and a later revealed message, it does not describe the elements of the present invention or provide an instant means for conveying a message in conjunction a floral arrangement.

Similar to the Skonecki and Geiges patents, U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,712 to D'Allura describes an elongated strip of material that is suited to be stored within the unbloomed bud of a flower. As the bud blooms and spreads its petals, the spirally rolled message placed within the corolla of the bud is allowed to spread and unroll to display the imbedded message to a recipient. This patent provides a similar means to reveal an unwinding, spiraled message as the flower blooms. This requires the flower to bloom over time, making the revelation of the note a delayed event, which differs in spirit and intent from the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,419 to Harris describes a system and method for providing an image or note on an organic product to provide communication to a recipient. The system comprises a support structure with a stabilizer bar for an organic product, such as a flower bud or similar specimen, along with a printing assembly for providing a printed message thereon. The printing assembly places a printed message or image on the petals of the flower for the recipient to find when inspecting the same. This patent does not provide a vibrant or eye catching means of communication that differs in structure from the plant, which may result in the message being overlooked or unseen prior to close inspection thereof. The present invention provides an immediate notification that does not require the user to search for the same within the arrangement.

Patents have also been granted for devices that incorporate a flower holding means and signage means. U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,213 to Rentowl describes a commemorative card that is suited for support of a fresh flower or a plurality of flowers. The card comprises a water impervious or resistant material and a means for provided support for the stem of the flower. The card further comprises a pocket or recess for placing the flower stem therethrough, along with a free field region that provides an ink receptive material for written notes and messages. U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,192 Slavik describes a stand for holding a message or card in connection with the upstanding stem of a flower. The stand provides a surround for supporting a card on an angle, while the flower is supported by a cylindrical stem sleeve. These devices are structures that support a flower or provide a support structure therefor in connection with a message to the recipient. They require use of a single flower or a reduced arrangement thereof, as opposed to the present invention, which can be utilized with any existing basket, arrangement or floral grouping.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,533 to Kamphausen describes a plant or garden marker, comprising a stake element have a stem or shank with a sharp point along its first end, and an enlarged, planar mounting surface at its opposite end. An identification member is removably attached to the mounting surface to identify plants by means of graphic information or indicia. While this device provides a means to notify a user of a specific plant species and provides a marker therefor, it does not serve the roll of providing an ornamental message that would be desired for a gift bouquet, arrangement or basket.

The present invention provides a new and unique method and kit for decorating and adorning a gift, and one that provides immediate notification and communication to an intended recipient. The contemplated gifts for use with the present invention include floral arrangement, bouquets and gift baskets. While the prior art patents may serve their intended purposes and fulfill a requirement, they do not disclosure the same structure or steps as described in the present invention. The present invention substantially diverges in design elements and steps from the prior art, consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing gift message devices that are affixable to a gift of the aforementioned type. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of gift bouquet message devices and methods now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new gift message and method wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when adorning a gift with a personalized message that provides direct and immediate messages to the user.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved gift message method and kit that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of communicating a message and adorning a gift that comprises a personalized message or image placed on a shaped card, the card being connected to a skewer device and the skewer being attached to the base of the gift.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit that includes a plurality of premade messages, each having an ornamental feature and a different style or type of message. This may include a kit that is associated with a specific holiday, or a kit that may provide messages for a plurality of holidays. This allows a user or consumer to purchase one kit for a number of holidays, or consequently provide a user with several pre-messaged or unmarked messages designed for a specific holiday intended for use with multiple gifts and recipients.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means of visual communication with an intended recipient that is affixable to a gift bouquet or basket, and one that may take several ornamental forms, colors, shapes and message details.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows the present invention method and kit being utilized within a floral arrangement, wherein messages are displayed for the recipient.

FIG. 2 shows a sample kit that includes a plurality of messages for a specific event.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a view of the present invention in its working position and the present method being deployed. One or a plurality of messages 11, each with different ornamental features and affixed to a skewer means 12, are placed in connection with a floral arrangement 13. The messages convey an intended message from a sender, which may take the form of a holiday or event specific note, a saying or quote, or an image that represents a meaning or contains an ornamental quality. The messages 11 themselves are placed on paper, cardstock or similar material that may accept ink and show contrast between the written details and the free field area of the paper. The design of the messages 11 and the card may take any ornamental shape or size, and may include artistic borders, color schemes or attachments.

The goal is to provide a method of adorning a gift with a message, image or personalized greeting. The means of attaching the message to the gift may comprise a steak, a pole or similar skewer means that allows the practitioner to affix the message and attachment means into the base of the gift. The disclosed method comprises the steps of placing personalized notes, messages or other adornments on a small piece of material, placing the material in communication with a skewer and placing the skewer into a bouquet or otherwise attaching to a similar gift basket or arrangement. The small piece of material may be pre-drawn, pre-messaged or otherwise marked, without requiring the user to personally write a message. In this alternative, the user may choose a message that fits the specific event or holiday, and attach the message to a gift therewith. The material may also be blank to allow the user to draw or write his or her own personal message to the recipient.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown the present invention in kit form, wherein a plurality of messages 11 are provided in packaging 15 for the user to purchase or store for multiple occasions or recipients. Each message 11 is provided a skewering means 12 and a card material that includes a message or space for the user to personalize the card. The kits may include a plurality of messages 11 for a specific holiday or theme, such as Halloween or Thank You messages, or conversely include messages that span several holidays in a single kit. The kit packaging 15 indicates the type of messages and their intended use on the outside of the package, providing notice to the user and allowing the user to choose the specific arrangement that fulfills his or her needs.

In use, an individual may purchase a floral arrangement, gift basket or bouquet. The gift may be provided for a specific event for a recipient, however does not include a means to attach a card or other notification that notifies the recipient as to the giver or a message from the same. The present invention method may be utilized to to provide notification as to the giver, and to provide a personalized message that is immediately recognizable and readable. The message may be heart-warming, insightful, a pleasant greeting or any other suitable message or image that the giver intends for the recipient. This method improves the current means of tying or leaning a card to a gift of this type, which is prone to be lost or separated from the gift. The present method also does not require the user to open an envelope or further investigate the gift to find any message or the gift sender.

The disclosed kit provides a convenient package that includes a plurality of messages that the user may purchase for one or a plurality of events. The kit provides convenience by offering several different messages for a specific event, or conversely a plurality of messages for a plurality of events and holidays. The messages may also be blank, allowing the user to personalize the cards with any message or image as desired. The messages may be ornamental and specifically designed in an ornate fashion to add visual appeal. The material chosen for the cards is likewise adaptable to be cut or shaped to a specific user preference.

Overall, the present invention method and kit is useful for personalizing and accessorizing a gift, particularly those gifts which include a base of soil or other means of placing a skewer device. Gifts contemplated for the present invention include floral arrangements, bouquets and other gift baskets. It is not intended to limit the use of the present invention to a specific gift type, event or type of message or card. Rather, it is intended to disclose a method that allows the user to personalize a gift of similar aforementioned type, and a kit that provides convenience towards this goal.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A method of personalizing a gift arrangement, comprising the steps of:

placing personalized notes, messages, images or other adornments on a small piece of material;

placing said material in communication with a skewer means;

placing said skewer in the bouquet or otherwise attaching to said gift arrangement.

2) A kit for personalizing a gift arrangement, comprising:

a plurality of pieces of material in communication with a skewer means;

said material and skewer means bundled together in a package for containment;

said package having indication of purpose for said pieces of material.

3) A kit of claim 2, wherein said pieces of material include a note, message, image or other adornment for a specific event.

4) A kit of claim 2, wherein said pieces of material include a note, message, image or other adornment for a plurality of events.

5) A kit of claim 2, wherein said pieces of material are blank to allow a user to provide a personal message or adornment thereon.