Compote for floral arrangements

Oct. 10, 1961 v. l. smithers 3,003,284

COMPOTE FOR FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

Filed April 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1

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ATTORNEYS

Oct. 10, 1961

V. L. SMITHERS

COMPOTE FOR FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

3,003,284

Filed April 15, 19o9

Sheets-Sheet 2

FIG. 3

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FIG. 4

BY

INVENTOR

VERNON L. SMITHERS

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ATTORNEYS

United States Patent Office _Pa!enied

The compote has a basin portion including the curved rim 10 and the bottom wall 11. The central portion of the bottom wall .11 merges into a depending hollow stem 12 which opens mto the basin portion and which preferably has at its lower end -a plug 13 of reduced diameter. The plug is adapted to fit tightly into a socket 14 provided in the upper end of a pedestal 15 rising from the central portion of a base 16. When the plug 13 is fitted into the socket 14, the exterior surfaces of the stem 12- and pedestal 15 merge to form a streamlined column.

Rising from the bottom wall 11 of the basin portion-are circumferentially arranged upstanding ribs 17 extending substantially circumferentially of the stem 12, three: ribs being shown, although the number may be varied. These ribs are preferably integral with the basin portion, and as shown in FIG. 4, are tapered somewhat from the base to a narrower top. The ribs 17 are positioned radially of the stem 12 -and spaced inwardly of the outer periphery of the basin so as to snugly-engage the sides of -a block 18 of moisture-retentive foam material to position the block over the . hollow open stem 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Preferably, radial ribs 2&amp; extend inwardly -from the ribs 17 into the hollow stem 12. The ribs 20 have tapered portions 21 Joined to the ribs 17 merging with shallow horizontal portions 22 which in turn merge With tapered depending rib portions 23 extending into the hollow stem. The rib portions 23 reinforce, the stem 12. The taper on the ribs 23 .as well as on the 'circumferential ribs 17 facilitates molding the basin, ribs -and stem in one piece.

The material of which the block 18 is -formed may be foamed synthetic resin material such -as a phenol formaldehyde foam, although other foams such as urea lormaldehyde foams could be used. The foam must -be capable of being made moisture absorbent and moisture retentive -and to be crushable to -an extent of receiving -and yet supporting the stems of flowers in desired arrangements.

In using phenol formaldehyde foam, phenol formaldehyde resin in liquid form is supplied by the manufacturer in graduated viscosities. A batch of any convenient size is measured out, it being preferable to secure the desired viscosity by mixing measured -amounts of selected viscosities, depending upon the density of the foam which is to be made. To the batch is added a foaming -agent -and a small -amount of an agent which will impart a suitable degree of softness and resilience to the finished product. The proportioning of the heavy and lighter resins and the use of a softening -agent is within the skill of one familiar with this art -and need not be set forth in detail.

The mass or block of foam formed in the manner described is a very poor water absorbent. In order that the material forming the base be water retentive -and in order to ensure that the block will absorb -and retain water, the exterior of the block should be treated with a wetting agent which will promote the absorption and retention of the water. For this purpose, any of the well-known wetting agents such, -for example, as those described in applicant’s -former Patent No. 2,753,277 of July 3, 1956, may be employed.

The blocks 18 used in the present invention are usually cut from larger blocks of the foamed material, made as described above or from similar materials familiar to those acquainted with the -art. Each block 18 -is cut so as to fit snugly within the circumferential ribs 17, and the block -is then treated with -a wetting agent on -all surfaces. The block is saturated with water before being -inserted into the basin portion 10 within the ribs 17.

As the block 18 is pushed downwardly -within the ribs 17, the foam material crushes to allow the radial ribs 20 to become embedded into the under surfaces of the

3,003,284

COMPOTE FOR FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS Vernon L. Smithers, Akron, Ohio, assignor to The V. L.

Smithers Manufacturing Company, Kent, Ohio, a cor- 5 poraticn of Ohio

Filed Apr. 15,1959, Ser. No. 806,618

Claims. (CI. 47—41)

The invention relates to -an artistic yet practical support for a variety of floral arrangements, and comprises 1θ an interior body of moisture-retentive foam for receiving the stems of flowers and supported within a container designed to cooperate with said block and stems' in maintaining a desired floral arrangement. ..More /specifically, • the invention relates to an ornamental /compote for floral 15 arrangements used as centerpieces, table decorations, \ floral displays and the like.

The novel device makes it possible for the florist or •arranger to create attractive arrangements well in advance of the display time, and to be sure the flowers 20 will stay fresh and exactly arranged. .Moreover, the compote containing the arrangement can be put in its place of display in advance without requiring any'further care or attention.

In my copending application Serial'No. 689,332, filed 25 October 10,1957,-Patent No. 2,922,254,1 disclose a floral support comprising a pan having somewhat flexible .segmental frameworks rising from the'base with cross bars it the tops, to enclose the block -and permit flower ..stems to be stuck into the top 'and sides of the block, the stems 30 in the sides engaging the cross bars to prevent removal of the block. Such construction is very effective in anchoring the block, but the forming of the segmental frameworks is difficult and relatively expensive, particularly since the preferred material is a plastic which can 35 be injection or compression molded.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel artistic floral support which is adapted to hold in place a block of foam capable of retaining water to preserve flowers having their stems stuck -into the block ⁴θ in various arrangements.

Another object is to provide a compote having internal means for engaging and anchoring a block of moistureretentive foam in place.

A further object is to provide a compote having a hollow stem with means to support -a block of moistureretentive foam over the stem whereby a flower stem passing through the block into the hollow stem will hold the block in place.

These objects, -and others which will become apparent ⁰are accomplished by the improved construction comprist ing the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings. Various modifications -and changes -in details of construction are comprehended within the scope of the invention -as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is -a vertical sectional view of the improved compote with a block of moisture-retentive foam supported therein and receiving the stems of a floral arrangement ^eshown in phantom lines.

FIG. 2 is a plan view with the block partly broken away.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the compote with the block removed. ⁶⁵

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view as on line 4—4 of FIG. 3.

The compote is preferably formed from any one of a number of conventional materials which can be injection or compression molded, such as synthetic resin. Examples of such materials are rigid polyethylenes or poly- ‘° vinyls, high impact polystyrenes or members of the acrylic class.

3,0 block until the bottom of the block contacts the bottom wall 11 of the basin portion. The engagement of the radial ribs 20 into the block aids in maintaining the block in position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stems of flowers can be inserted into the block in various arrangements to make an attractive floral display. At least one flower stem S may be passed through the central portion of the block and down into the hollow stem 12 to further anchor or stabilize the block: in position. The bore of the stein is extended into a narrow opening 25 in the plug 13, which is adapted to snugly engage and support the bottom portion of a single flower stem S.

Accordingly, the novel and improved compote provides an artistic floral support for securely holding desired arrangements of flowers in place and supplying them with moisture to keep the flowers fresh over long periods of time. The compote is adapted to use blocks of moistureretentive foam which are quickly and easily replaced as desired.