PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0001 ] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No.

2017901736 titled "A HOLDER AND DISPLAY MEANS" and filed on 10 May 2017, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a means of individually displaying or presenting a product such as an edible item, and also to displaying or presenting a plurality of such products in a grouped manner. This disclosure also relates to a means of displaying a multitude of such products in a decorative manner.

BACKGROUND

[0003] It is known to present edible or consumable products such as confectionary, both wrapped and unwrapped, fruit or any similar consumable or edible product in the form of a number of individual items, each individually positioned on the end of a skewer that are arranged in a grouping that is referred to as a bouquet.

[0004] The skewers may comprise a wooden skewer, preferably of food grade quality, that pierces and holds the product at the end of the skewer. In the case of wrapped confectionary such as chocolates, the skewer can pierce both the wrapping and chocolate and insert part way into the chocolate.

[0005] A number of skewered products can then be arranged together as a group to give the appearance of a bouquet and so create a decorative display. The bouquet can be presented as a gift and the product consumed by the recipient.

[0006] The appearance of the bouquet can be enhanced by adding additional decorative elements such as paper wrapping around each product. The paper wrapping is formed so as to give the appearance of flower petals or foliage around each individual product. The paper is skewered first followed by then skewering each product. The paper is then folded up and around the product to form a frill. Flat card may also form a backing to the product with the card first being skewered followed by the product so that the product sits on the card. The card may be printed in a decorative manner.

[0007] The group of skewered products can then be held together by tying the ends of each of the skewers or by piercing the lower end of the skewer opposite to the product into a florist's foam block. The foam block is soft and allows the lower end of the skewer to be easily inserted and held in place. This enables each skewer to be positioned at different angles relative to the other skewers to form the group into different shapes. Depending on the length of the skewers or the depth of insertion into the foam block, different shapes can be produced. For example, the shapes that can be formed include semi- spherical or dome shapes that give the look of a "bouquet" or "posey" of flowers. The group can also be positioned so that the products are arranged in a planar presentation. That is, the group of products are substantially in the same plane.

[0008] There are a number of issues and problems associated with this production process. They include safety to the consumer, longevity or keepability of the skewered product and ease of production.

[0009] In the case of skewering a product, it may be a requirement that such production be performed in food safe conditions, which includes specially designed kitchens and staff that have food safety accreditation. This adds significantly to the difficulty and therefore cost of production.

[0010] Skewered product will not keep as well particularly where the wrapping of the product is also pierced. Therefore the shelf life of the product is reduced once the wrapping is pierced or punctured.

[001 1] Moreover, the time required to manufacture the bouquets as described above is time consuming which adds to the cost of manufacture and therefore to the cost of each individual display.

[0012] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

[0013] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY

[0014] According to a first aspect, there is provided a holder for an individual item comprising a socket and at least two arms on the socket arranged to hold at least one product.

[0015] In one aspect, there is provided a holder for an edible item, the holder comprising a base comprising a socket, and at least two arms extending from the base, wherein each of the arms is resiliently flexible, biased toward each other to cooperatively hold the item therebetween, and elastically deformable to permit receipt and removal of the item.

[0016] In one form, the socket is sized and/or adapted to receive a stem with an interference fit. [0017] The term stem should be construed as being inclusive of any elongate (i.e. long and thin) support for the holder.

[0018] In one form, the stem comprises a pin, a stick a skewer or the like. However, the stem is not required to pierce the item. The socket allows the holder to be located and secured on an end of the stem. A slight interference fit may be provided between the stem and socket so as to firmly secure the holder onto the end of the stem.

[0019] In one form, the arms extend radially from the base and are radially spaced apart. [0020] In one form, the arms extend upward from the base. [0021] In one form, the arms are substantially equi-spaced. [0022] In one form, each of the arms is arcuate.

[0023] In one form, each of the arms curves outwardly as it initially extends from the base, before curving inwardly again.

[0024] In one form, the arms have a width greater than their thickness. Further the arms may have a width of contact with the product that is reasonably large. This is achieved by the arm being wide so as to have a large area of contact.

[0025] In one form, at least two arms are required to grasp or hold the item with respect to the holder. However, more than two arms may be used where the arms are radially positioned around the socket and are adapted to grasp or hold the item. The arms may be evenly spaced around the socket to allow a spherical product to be held. Alternatively, the arms may be spaced, or unevenly spaced, in a manner to hold shapes other than spheres.

[0026] In one form, in an alternative, the holder comprises a plurality of lobes which extend radially from the base and which are radially spaced apart.

[0027] In this case, the lobes comprise the peripheral shape of petals, so the holder comprises the peripheral shape of a flower.

[0028] In one form, the arms extend upward from the lobes.

[0029] In one form, the arms extend inwardly as they extend upwardly. [0030] In one form, the holder comprises a further socket extending substantially normal to the first socket.

[0031] In one form, the holder is integrally formed.

[0032] In one form, the holder is moulded from a plastic material.

[0033] In one form, the holder is formed from a pellucid material. That is to say, the holder is formed from a substantially clear or transparent material. In this way, the holder itself is visually inconspicuous, and minimises the extent to which it obscures visibility of the item held therein.

[0034] In one form, the holder is a unitary moulded product moulded from material such as

polypropylene, acetyl or similar plastic material.

[0035] In one form, the item is a confectionary item.

[0036] According to a further aspect, there is provided a holder assembly comprising the above described holder, and a backing card comprising an aperture through which at least a portion of the socket of the holder extends.

[0037] The term 'card' should not be construed as limited to a particular material, but inclusive of, but not necessarily limited to, cardboard, plastic or paper sheet material.

[0038] In one form, the holder assembly further comprises a stem received in the socket of the holder.

[0039] In one form, the backing card has a larger diameter than the item, and the product is displayed at or near to a centre of the card. The card may be printed with different designs and may have a shaped peripheral edge.

[0040] In one form, the backing card is shaped like a flower.

[0041] In one form, the backing card is decorated to look like a flower.

[0042] A further advantage of the holder being formed of a pellucid material is that this will minimise the extent to which the holder obscures the backing card.

[0043] In one form, the card comprises an aperture through which either the stem or a portion of the holder or holder socket may locate. There may be an interference fit between either the stem or the holder and the card so that the card is held to either the holder or stem or both. The aperture in the card may be in the form of a number of radiating slits that allow the stem or a portion of the holder, such as the socket, to push through the card and form an interference fit between the card and the stem or holder. Alternatively, an aperture with a number of radially spaced slits extending from the edge of the aperture may also be used.

[0044] As described, the arms of the holder are positioned on the upper surface of the card and allow the product to be located and held by the holder to thereby have the card as a backing to the display of the product at the outer end of the stem.

[0045] Alternatively, each arm may locate through an aperture or opening in the card so that the card is held between the product and the arms.

[0046] According to a further aspect, there is provided a display assembly comprising a plurality of the above described holder assemblies, wherein the plurality of holder assemblies are arranged like a bouquet.

[0047] In one form, the display assembly further comprising a support for the stems of the holder assemblies.

[0048] In a further aspect, there is provided a combination of a holder, a stem secured with respect to the holder and a backing card located behind the product and held by or with respect to the holder.

[0049] In one form, the socket comprises an elongate cylindrical body with a central aperture and the cylindrical body locates in the aperture in the card.

[0050] In order to further understand the invention, preferred embodiments will now be described. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention or inventions will not be limited to the combination of elements described in each embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0051] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0052] The Figures 1 illustrate a holder according to a first embodiment;

[0053] Figure la is a plan view of the holder of Figure 1 ;

[0054] Figure lb is an upper isometric view of the holder of Figure 1 ; [0055] Figures lc and le are side views of the holder of Figure 1 ; [0056] Figure Id is a lower isometric view of the holder of Figure 1 ; [0057] The Figures 2 illustrate a holder according to a second embodiment; [0058] Figure 2a is a plan view of the holder of Figure 2; [0059] Figure 2b is an upper isometric view of the holder of Figure 2; [0060] Figures 2c and 2e are side views of the holder of Figure 2; [0061 ] Figure 2d is a lower isometric view of the holder of Figure 2;

[0062] Figures 3 to 6 illustrate the holder of Figure 2 in combination with a backing card to form a holder assembly;

[0063] Figures 7 to 10 illustrate the holder of Figure 1 in combination with a backing card to form a holder assembly;

[0064] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the holder of Figure 3 in combination with a card where the card is held between the product and the arms, to form a holder assembly;

[0065] Figure 13 illustrates a number of different card designs, and

[0066] Figure 14 illustrates an arrangement of holders in conjunction with chocolates demonstrating the decorative effects that can be achieved.

[0067] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0068] Referring now to Figures 1, which include Figures la through le, where there is illustrated several views of a holder 10. The holder 10 comprises a base comprising a socket 11 with an aperture 12. The socket 1 1 comprises a generally elongate cylindrical body 13. In some embodiments, a flange 14 is provided on the body 13. [0069] The holder 10 further comprises six arms 15, which extend from the base, and which are radially spaced around the socket 1 1. In this embodiment, each of the arms 15 comprises an elongate aperture 16 located in the centre thereof, and each arm 15 is generally arcuate so that the space defined between and within the arms is substantially spherical.

[0070] The holder 10 is moulded as one piece (i.e. is integrally formed) from pellucid (clear and transparent) acetyl plastic, and is shaped somewhat like a tulip.

[0071] The diameter of the aperture 12 for the socket 11 is sufficient to allow a stem (not shown in figure 1, but identified as 30 in other figures) to be inserted. The aperture 12 is sized to preferably have an interference fit with the stem 30 so that the holder 10 is securely held on the end of the stem. The stem 30 may be a wooden stick, plastic rod or may also be a rolled elongate paper product. The resilience of both the socket 1 1 and the stem 30 as well as the diameter of the aperture 12 are used to provide the required fit between the socket 1 1 and the stem 30.

[0072] The base of each arm 15 comprises a thin cross-sectional area, and this combined with the properties of the plastic material, allows sufficient flexibility to allow a product, such as a spherically shaped confection in this case, to be located and held within the arms 15 of the holder 10. The flexibility of the arms 15 also allows the moulding of the holder 10 in a two part die. A portion of the die is located within the arms and the flexibility of the arms 15, even straight after moulding, allows the holder 15 to be removed from the die.

[0073] Referring now to the Figures 2, which include Figures 2a through 2e, where a second embodiment of a holder 19 is illustrated. This holder 19 is also provided with a socket 11 which comprises an aperture 12 that functions in the same manner as the socket 1 1 on holder 10. The socket 11 may also be provided with a flange 14 or have a plain outer body 13. However, in this second embodiment, the holder 19 comprises six planar lobes 20 on and spaced around the base and socket 11. In this embodiment, these lobes 20 are shaped like the petals of a flower, and so the holder 19 comprises a planform shape like a flower. Three of the lobes 20 comprise arms 21 projecting therefrom. The three lobes 20 comprising arms 21 are separated by lobes which do not comprise arms 21. In a further embodiment of holder 19, which is illustrated in Figure 14, each of the lobes 20 comprises an arm 21 .

[0074] As with holder 10, holder 19 is moulded from acetyl plastic resulting in the lobes 20 being flexible with respect to the socket 11. The arms 21 in this holder 19 are relatively short, but do possess some ability to flex with respect to the lobe 20. However, the combination of the lobes 20, having a thin cross-section, and the arms 21 being radially spaced from the socket 1 1 , allows the arms 21 to move sufficiently which in turn allows a product to be located and subsequently held by the arms 21 of the holder 19. [0075] In addition to the socket 11, the holder 19 also comprises a second socket 22. The second socket 22 comprises a loop 23 on the underside of one of the lobes 20. The loop 23 has an aperture 24 that accepts a stem. This allows the orientation of the holder 19 to be varied on the stem. The lobes 20 can be normal to the axis of the stem using socket 11, or parallel to the stem by using socket 22.

[0076] In a further aspect of the invention the holders 10 and 19 are used in conjunction with a decorative card 25 as shown in Figures 3 to 12, to form a holder assembly.

[0077] Figures 3 to 6 show holder 19 in conjunction with a card 25. The card 25 has a decorative printed surface 26 and has a shaped peripheral edge 27. The printed surface 26 and the shaped edge 27 give the card 25 the appearance of a flower.

[0078] With reference to Figure 4a, an aperture 28 is punched out in the centre of the card 25. Radial slits 29 are spaced around the aperture 28 to allow the aperture 28 to open in size to in turn allow the body 13 of the socket 11 to push through the aperture 28. This holds the card 25 with some firmness with respect to the socket 11. The aperture 28 may also be a smaller diameter so that it can be used with the stem 30 when the stem 30 is located in the socket 1 1. In this case, the socket may not have the body 13 projecting from the base of the lobes 20.

[0079] Figure 4 shows the stem 30 locating in the socket 22 so that the holder 19 and card 25 are parallel to the stem 30. The card 25 is also provided with cut-out tabs 31 (six spaced radially around the centre of the card 25) that allow the socket 22 to protrude from the back surface 32 of the card 25 to then locate the stem 30 into the socket 22. Alternatively, the stem 30 could be located into the socket 11 which also protrudes from the back 32 of the card 25.

[0080] The assembled arrangement (i.e. holder assembly) of holder 19, card 25 and stem 30, as shown in Figure 3, can then have an item such as a chocolate 33 located and held in the holder 19 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The chocolates 33 are wrapped in foil and are located within and between the arms 21. As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, a variety of shapes can be held in holder 19 being a heart shape in Figure 5 and a star shape in figure 6. It will be apparent that other shapes could also be held. The holder assembly gives the overall visual impression of a flower, with the chocolate 33 retained in the holder at the centre of the flower.

[0081] Figures 7 to 10 show holder 10 used with a decorative card 25. The socket 11 locates in the aperture 28 in the card 25 in the same way as described above and the stem 30 locates in the socket 1 1.

[0082] The holder 10 is adapted to hold generally spherical products such as shown in Figures 9 and 10 which show wrapped chocolates 33. [0083] Figures 11 and 12 show a further configuration of the holder 19 with respect to a card 25. In this arrangement, the arms 21 of the holder 19 are located through the aperture formed by three of the cut-out tabs 31 so that the holder 19 is located on the back 32 of the card 25. Only the arms 21 protrude through to the front of the card 25 and as shown in Figure 11 and 12, the product, chocolate 33, is held in the arms 21 so that the card 25 is between the chocolate and the lobes 20 of the holder 19.

[0084] In both embodiments, the holders 10 and 19 can be rotated with respect to the card to vary the position of the printed surface 26 between the plurality of assemblies that are grouped together to form a bouquet.

[0085] Figure 13 shows a number of different printed surface designs and different peripheral shapes that may be used for the card 25.

[0086] The holders 10 and 19 can be used with or without a card 25 or may be combined with paper frills to provide different decorative effects for presenting a number or group of products such as chocolates. Figure 14 shows a display assembly 100 arrangement using a plurality of both holders 10 and holders 19 as described above. The chocolates 33 held thereby comprise spherical, star and heart shapes.

[0087] Holder 19 can also be used in two orientations to present the product either normal or parallel to the stem 30. When it is parallel to the stem, a planar arrangement can be produced by varying the height that each stem 30 is inserted into a support, such as a foam block. It will be apparent that other configurations and arrangements of a group of holders and stems are possible.

[0088] As will be seen from the above, the invention allows the decorative display of a number of different types of confection, either wrapped on un-wrapped, without piercing the product. The holder itself is visually inconspicuous, and thus minimises the extent to which it obscures visibility of the item held therein, and to which it detracts from the overall visual effect of the display, which is intended to emulate a flower in a bouquet of flowers.

[0089] Other items may also be held and displayed such as fruit, either cut or uncut or any other type of products, including inedible display items that are held for decorative effect.

[0090] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. [0091] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0092] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.