REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/561,600 filed on Nov. 18, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD This application relates generally to vases, and more specifically, relates to flexible vases.
BACKGROUND A vase is an open container that often is used to hold cut flowers. Vases can be made of a number of hard materials, such as ceramics and glass, and can be heavy and fragile. Vases can also be made of pliant sheet material, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,826 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,183, US Patent Application No. 2004/0187382, and U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0118110, each of which is incorporated by reference herein. Pliant sheet material vases can be sold in a flat, collapsed form and expand into a three-dimensional shape upon insertion of water into the vase. However, the use of either hard-material or pliant sheet vases are limited.
SUMMARY In one aspect, a flexible vase is provided. The flexible vase may include a collapsible vase portion having a front sheet, a back sheet, and a bottom sheet and include one or more pouches. The one or more pouches may be integral with the flexible vase. The one or more pouches may be used to store one or more items, such as a greeting card, a business card, or the like.
In another aspect, the flexible vase may comprise a container in which to store one or more items. For example, the flexible vase may include: a collapsible vase portion having a front sheet, a back sheet, and a bottom sheet (with the front sheet, the back sheet and the bottom sheet forming an interior); a detachable portion connected to front sheet and to the back sheet; and an article in the interior, with the article prevented from exiting the interior by the detachable portion when the detachable portion is connected to the front sheet and to the back sheet and with the detachable portion being configured to be detached from the front sheet and the back sheet. The detachable portion may seal or not seal the interior of the flexible vase. Further, the detachable portion may or may not have something therein.
Alternatively, or in addition, the flexible vase may be configured to reseal the mouth of the vase. In order to reseal the mouth of the vase, one or more elements may be used. One element to reseal the mouth may comprise a flap on one of front sheet or back sheet, so that a length of the one of the front sheet or back sheet is longer than another of the back sheet or front sheet. The element may further comprise an adhesive on the flap so that when the flap closes the mouth of the flexible vase, the adhesive contacts an exterior of the another of the back sheet or front sheet. Another element to reseal the mouth may comprise an adhesive on an interior of the front sheet or the back sheet. In this way, the mouth of the flexible vase may be sealed (or sealable) in order to store items therein.
In still another aspect, a flexible vase is provided. The flexible vase may include: a collapsible vase portion having a front sheet, a back sheet, and a bottom sheet; and an insert shaped to abut one or both of the front sheet or back sheet. In one example, the insert is attached to one or both of the front sheet and the back sheet (but not attached to the bottom sheet), and when, in an expanded state, the insert is configured to create multiple compartments in an interior of the flexible vase. More specifically, the front sheet and back sheet may be sealed along multiple sealed edges and the insert, which may comprise a wall and one or more flaps, may be connected to the multiple sealed edges (such as the wall being connected to the multiple seal edges). In still another example, the insert is not attached to either the front sheet or the back sheet.
Other features and advantages will become apparent upon review of the following drawings, detailed description and claims. Additionally, other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination. The embodiments will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of a flexible vase.
FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the flexible vase illustrated in FIG. 1A in a collapsed state.
FIG. 1C illustrates a bottom view of the flexible vase illustrated in FIG. 1A in an expanded state.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flexible vase with a blank or un-patterned section.
FIG. 3A illustrates a flexible vase with a pouch.
FIG. 3B illustrates a flexible vase with a flap in the open position.
FIG. 3C illustrates a flexible vase with a flap in the closed position.
FIGS. 4A-B illustrate a flexible vase with a water-proof insert.
FIG. 5 illustrates a waterproof material with a perforated boundary used to generate the water-proof insert.
FIG. 6A illustrates a non-waterproof material with a perforated boundary used to generate an insert.
FIG. 6B illustrates a pouch to house the insert of FIG. 6A, the pouch having a closing mechanism.
FIG. 7A illustrates a wine bottle and a flexible vase that is further configured to act as a wine cooler.
FIG. 7B illustrates a wine bottle and a flexible vase with a cinching mechanism to collapse the size of the opening.
FIG. 8A illustrates a flexible vase with a detachable top portion.
FIG. 8B illustrates the flexible vase of FIG. 8A with the detachable top portion removed and with a container housing contents within the flexible vase.
FIG. 8C illustrates the flexible vase of FIG. 8A with the detachable top portion removed and with the contents within the flexible vase.
FIG. 9 illustrates a flexible vase with an enclosure and a writing instrument.
FIG. 10A illustrates a wall for installation in an interior of a flexible vase.
FIG. 10B illustrates a wall and two flaps for installation in an interior of a flexible vase.
FIG. 10C illustrates a bottom view of the flexible vase illustrated in FIG. 1A in an expanded state with an interior wall.
FIG. 10D illustrates a bottom view of the flexible vase illustrated in FIG. 1A in an expanded state with an interior wall and two flaps.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of a vase 10 in its collapsed state. FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the bottom portion of the vase 10 in the collapsed state. FIG. 1C illustrates a bottom view of the vase 10 in its expanded state (such as when the vase is filled with liquid). The vase 10 comprises a front sheet 12, a back sheet 14, and a bottom sheet 16. The bottom sheet 16 is folded in half so as to form folded portions (as illustrated in FIG. 1B). The dimensions of the vases are illustrated in FIG. 1A, with the opening being 5.5″, the base being 7.5″, and the side being 10.5″. These dimensions are merely for illustration purposes. Other dimensions are contemplated.
While in the collapsed state shown in FIG. 1B, the front sheet 12 and the back sheet 14 may be pressed against one another. In one embodiment, the front and back sheets are formed from a pliable material, such as a plastic or a polymer material. One example of a pliable material is polyethylene. Other pliable materials are contemplated.
The front sheet 12 and the back sheet 14 are bonded together in a fluid tight bond along lateral regions of the front sheet 12 and the back sheet 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, front sheet 12 may be pressed against back sheet 14 and sealed along one side (shown at 11) and along another side (shown at 13). Likewise, the bottom sheet 16 may be bonded to the front sheet 12 and to the back sheet 14 in a fluid tight bond.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flexible vase 30 with a blank or un-patterned section. As shown in FIG. 2, the vase 30 may include a pattern 39. The pattern may be along different portions of the vase, such as on an interior 32 of the front sheet of the vase and along the bonded seam 37 of the vase 30. Further, the vase 30 may include a blank portion 35. The blank portion 35 may be bounded by a continuous line 36, such as in the form of a rectangle as shown in FIG. 2. As discussed in more detail below, the blank portion may be a place upon which to write.
FIG. 3A illustrates a flexible vase 40 with a pouch 45. The pouch 45 may be on an exterior surface of the vase 40, as shown in FIG. 3A. In this way, the pouch 45 may be on either the front side or the back side of the vase, but not connected to an edge of the vase. Alternatively, the pouch 45 may be on an interior surface of the vase 40. If the pouch is on the interior, the pouch 45 may be sealable in order to be water-proof or water resistant. The pouch 45 contains an opening 50 suitable for insertion of a greeting card, a business card, an announcement, or any type of card containing printed indicia. The pouch 45 may be comprised of a layer of flexible and clear material. For example, the pouch 45 may be composed of the same material as the vase, such as a plastic material. The pouch 45 may be sealed along its periphery except for opening 50. Thus, the opening 50 may be used for receiving a card or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the pouch 45 has the opening 50 at the top. Alternatively, the opening 50 may be at a side of the pouch 45.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the pouch 45 is at an upper portion of the vase 40. Alternatively, the pouch 45 may be at a lower portion of the vase 40. Further, the pouch 45 may be on one side of the vase 40. Alternatively, the pouch 45 may be on both a front sheet and a back sheet of the vase 40.
Moreover, the pouch 45 may be of different sizes. As shown in FIG. 3A, the size of the pouch 45 is approximately the size of a business card. Alternatively, the size of the pouch 45 may be larger. For example, the size of the pouch 45 may be as large as the front sheet 12 of the vase 40. In particular, the width of the pouch 45 may be the same as the width of the front sheet 12 at any point along the contour of the front sheet. For example, the width of the pouch 45 may be same as the width 47 of the mouth of the vase 40. The length of the pouch may likewise be larger than that shown in FIG. 3A.
In addition, the pouch 45 may be integral with the vase 40 so that the pouch 45 cannot be ripped or removed from the vase 40 without damaging the vase 40. Alternatively, the pouch 45 may be removed from the vase 40 without damaging the vase 40. In one aspect, the pouch 45 is detachable from the vase. The pouch 45 may include a perforated boundary such that the pouch 45 is removable from the vase 40. The perforated boundary may be created prior to or after the pouch 45 is connected to vase 45. The perforated boundary may comprise a series of small holes in an organized fashion.
In still an alternate embodiment, the vase may function as an envelope for a greeting card or the like. The mouth of the vase may be sealed (or sealable). In practice, a user may personalize the greeting card, insert the greeting card into the vase, and then seal the mouth of the vase. Sealing the mouth of the vase may be accomplished in one of several ways including: using a flap (akin to a paper envelope). In this way, the mouth of the vase may be sealed, opened, and sealed again.
FIG. 3B illustrates a flexible vase 42 with a flap 48 in the open position. The flap may be tucked into the mouth of vase 42. Alternatively, glue 49 or other adhesive substance may be on one side of flap 48 in order to adhere a part of the flap 48 to a front sheet of vase 42 in order to close the mouth of the vase 42, as illustrated in FIG. 3C. For example, the back sheet of the vase 42 may include flap 48. Glue 49 or other adhesive substance may be on an interior side of the back sheet. In practice, when sealing the vase 42, the flap 48 may be folded over so that the glue 49 may contact an exterior side of the front sheet.
In still an alternate embodiment, the vase may not include flap 48. Instead, glue 49 may be placed on an interior of the front sheet of vase. The mouth of the vase may be sealed by pressing glue 49 against the back sheet in order to seal the front sheet of the vase to the back sheet of the vase.
FIGS. 4A-B illustrate a flexible vase 60 with a water-proof insert 70. FIG. 4A includes a vase 60 with an opening 65. The vase 60 may be similar to the vase 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C. The vase 60 may be clear (or not and may include a pattern). FIG. 4B illustrates a water-proof insert 70. The water-proof insert 70 may be composed of a water-proof (or water-resistant) material, such as plastic. The water-proof insert 70 may be shaped to mirror the shape of the front sheet and back sheet of the vase 60. In this way, when the water-proof insert 70 is inserted into opening 65, the water-proof insert 70 may abut one or both of the front sheet or back sheet. Further, the water-proof insert 70 may include a pattern 75 whereas the front sheet and the back sheet may not have a pattern (e.g., be made of clear plastic). In this way, the design of the vase 60 may be changed by inserting one (or more) water-proof inserts. For example, a first water-proof insert may be inserted so that it abuts an interior of the front sheet of the vase, and a second water-proof insert may be inserted so that it abuts an interior of the back sheet of the vase. In this way, both sides of the vase 60 may have a design. Further, the printed design on the first water-proof insert may be the same as the printed design on the second water-proof insert. Alternatively, the printed design on the first water-proof insert may be different than the printed design on the second water-proof insert.
FIG. 5 illustrates a waterproof or water-resistant material 80 with a perforated boundary 85 used to generate the water-proof insert 70 as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The waterproof or water-resistant material 80 may be a plastic sheet, which may be inserted or fed into a color printer. The color printer may print the design 75, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. Further, the perforated boundary 85 may be used to remove an outer portion of the waterproof material 80 to create the shape of the outline of the vase.
FIG. 6A illustrates a non-waterproof material 90 with a perforated boundary 95 used to generate an insert. The non-waterproof material 90 may comprise paper. In this way, a piece of standard-size paper (such as 8½″×11″) may be inserted into a printer (such as a color printer) to print a design. The perforated boundary 95 may be used to remove an outer portion of the non-waterproof material 90 to create the shape of the outline of the vase.
FIG. 6B illustrates a pouch 100 to house the insert of FIG. 6A, the pouch 100 having a closing mechanism 105. The pouch 100 is made of a waterproof or water-resistant material, such as plastic. The closing mechanism 105 may seal the opening 107 of the pouch 100 so that water does not enter an interior of the pouch 100. Further, because of the closing mechanism 105, the piece of paper (with the printed design and in the shape of a vase) may be inserted into the pouch 100 and remain dry when inserted into the vase. Alternatively, pouch 100 does not include a closing mechanism. In particular, the paper may be inserted into pouch 100. Water may be inserted into the vase. After which, the pouch 100 (with the piece of paper) may be inserted into the vase. Because the sides of the pouch 100 are waterproof, and because water is already in the vase, water may not enter opening 107, thereby keeping the piece of paper dry.
In still an alternate embodiment, rather than having a separate pouch for insertion into the vase, such as pouch 100 shown in FIG. 6B, an interior of the vase may have a pouch built in. For example, on an interior of one (or both) of the front sheet 12 and the back sheet 14 of the vase 10, a pouch may be placed. The pouch may comprise an additional sheet bonded to the interior of the vase (with an opening to insert a piece of paper in the shape of the front sheet 12 or the back sheet 14).
FIG. 7A illustrates a wine bottle 115 and a flexible vase 110 that is further configured to act as a wine cooler. The vase 110 may be similar to the vase 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C. Ice (or the like) may be inserted into vase 110. Bottle 115 may also be inserted into the vase 110 to chill the wine inside bottle 115.
FIG. 7B illustrates the wine bottle 115 and a flexible vase 125 with a cinching mechanism 120 to collapse or reduce the size of the opening 127 of the vase 125. The cinching mechanism 120 may include a string that is looped through one or more holes in the vase. The material of flexible vase 125 may be used such that the flexible vase 125 changes colors depending on the temperature of the flexible vase 125. For example, the material of flexible vase 125 may be a polydiacethylenes (PDAs) or other similar type of material. In this way, the flexible vase may provide a visual indication as to whether the wine bottle 115 in the interior of the flexible vase is at the proper temperature.
FIG. 8A illustrates a flexible vase container 130 with a detachable top portion 140. In one embodiment, the detachable top portion 140 does not include anything therein. In an alternate embodiment, the detachable top portion 140 includes a pouch therein for storage of an article or the like.
The flexible vase container 130 with the detachable top portion 140 may comprise a sealed container. In this way, the flexible vase 130 may be used to house one or more items in an interior of the vase 135, as discussed in more detail below. For example, the detachable top portion 140 may comprise a flap, with removal of the flap creating a mouth for the vase 135 and allowing access to one or more items herein.
The vase 135 and the detachable top portion 140 have one or more common boundaries 145. FIG. 8A illustrates two common boundaries, however, one common boundary 145 may be used. The boundary 145 is a weakened region formed in the front sheet and the rear sheet. For example, the boundary 145 may be formed by introducing perforations into one or both of the front and rear sheets. The introduction of such perforations may be accomplished using laser radiation, as is well known in the art. Alternatively, the boundary 145 may be formed by introducing a shallow groove in the outer exposed surface (not shown).
FIG. 8B illustrates the flexible vase of FIG. 8A with the detachable top portion 140 removed and with a container 155 housing contents 160 within the flexible vase 135. After the detachable top portion 140 is removed, an opening 150 is created. Further, the container 155 may be housed within vase container 130.
FIG. 8C illustrates the flexible vase of FIG. 8A with the detachable top portion 140 removed and with the contents 150 within the flexible vase 135. FIG. 8C is an alternative to the container 155 illustrated in FIG. 8B. In particular, container 155 is not used so that the vase container 130 acts as the sole container for contents 150. Contents 160 may comprise candy, beads, or the like.
FIG. 9 illustrates a flexible vase 170 with an enclosure 175 and a writing instrument 180. Though not illustrated as sealed, the enclosure 175 may be sealed so that vase 170 is contained within the enclosure 175. Enclosure 175 may be composed of a plastic material, such as polypropylene. Further, writing instrument 180 may include a pen, a pencil, or the like. In practice, the writing instrument 180 may be stored within vase 170, and the vase 170 may be enclosed within enclosure 175. Alternatively, the writing instrument 180 may be stored outside of the vase 170, and the vase 170 and writing instrument 180 may be enclosed within enclosure 175.
FIG. 10A illustrates a wall 200 for installation in an interior of the vase. The wall 200 may be attached to one or more places in the interior of the vase. For example, FIG. 10C illustrates a bottom view of the flexible vase illustrated in FIG. 1A in an expanded state with wall 200. When the vase with the wall is expanded, the vase includes interior compartments. For example, with a single wall (such as wall 200), two interior compartments may be created. The different interior compartments may be used so that flowers, or other items placed in the interior of the vase, may be arranged more predictably.
Wall 200 may be connected to the interior of the vase at 206. For example, wall 200 may be connected or attached to the seam of the vase, such as along part or all of seam 11 and/or seam 13 (illustrated in FIG. 1A). In one embodiment, wall 200 is not attached or connected to bottom sheet 16. Alternatively, or in addition, when expanded, wall 200 need not extend downward to touch or contact bottom sheet 16. For example, wall 200 may be approximately 1 inch from bottom sheet 16. In this way, water, which may be at the bottom of the vase, may flow from one compartment to the next.
FIG. 10B illustrates wall 200, first flap 202 and second flap 204 for installation in an interior of the vase. Similar to FIG. 10C, wall 200 may be attached to one or more places in the interior of the vase. For example, FIG. 10D illustrates a bottom view of the flexible vase illustrated in FIG. 1A in an expanded state with wall 200. Wall 200 may be connected to the interior of the vase at 206. For example, wall 200 may be connected to the seam of the vase, such as along part or all of seam 11 and/or seam 13 (illustrated in FIG. 1A). In one embodiment, flap 202 and flap 204 are not connected to either the front sheet 12 or back sheet 14. Rather, flap 202 and flap 204 is connected to wall 200. When in the collapsed state, flap 202 and flap 204 fold down (e.g., rotate about the line of connection with the wall 200) so that flap 202 and flap 204 each contact wall 200. Further, in the expanded state, wall 200, flap 202 and flap 204 create four interior compartments for the vase. Similar to FIG. 10C, in one embodiment, wall 200, flap 202, and flap 204 are not attached or connected to bottom sheet 16. Alternatively, or in addition, when expanded, wall 200, flap 202, and flap 204 need not extend downward to touch or contact bottom sheet 16. For example, wall 200, flap 202, and flap 204 may be approximately 1 inch from bottom sheet 16. In this way, water, which may be at the bottom of the vase, may flow from one compartment to the next.
It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be understood as an illustration of selected forms that the invention can take and not as a definition of the invention. It is only the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the scope of this invention. Also, some of the following claims may state that a component is operative to perform a certain function or configured for a certain task. It should be noted that these are not restrictive limitations. It should also be noted that the acts recited in the claims can be performed in any order and not necessarily in the order in which they are recited.
