The present invention mainly aims at providing a flower holder structure of the above-mentioned type, being particularly stable and allowing, for freshly-cut flowers, only an end portion of the stalk or stem thereof to be kept dipped in a liquid, besides having a reduced size when not in use.

The flower holder structure according to the present invention is characterised in that it comprises a first base plate, a plurality of stiff elongate connecting elements, which are removably associated, at one end thereof, with said first base plate, all of them projecting on the same side with respect to said base plate, and which are removably associated, at their other end, with a second plate, in order to form a substantially basket-like holder, said second plate having at least one hole passing therethrough, forming the mouth of said substantially basket-like holder.

Advantageously said second plate has a reduced cross-size with respect to said base plate.

Preferably said stiff elongate connecting elements are spaced in an orderly way along a peripheral edge of said base plate.

Further features and the advantages of a flower holder structure according to the invention will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof given by way of non limiting example with reference to the attached drawings.

Brief description of the drawings In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flower holder structure according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the flower holder structure of figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged-scale partially-sectional view of a detail of the flower holder structure of figure 1.

Detailed description With reference to the attached drawings, a flower holder structure according to the present invention is globally and schematically indicated with 1, being particularly suitable for supporting and exhibiting flowers and similar ornaments, being they long-stemmed or long-stalked, dry or freshly-cut, generally indicated with F.

The flower holder structure 1 comprises a first base plate 2, having a predetermined thickness, a plurality of stiff elongate connecting elements 3 (in the example three), which are removably associated, at one end 3a thereof, with said base plate 2, all of them projecting on the same side with respect to the base plate, and which are removably associated, at the other end 3b thereof, with a second plate 4, in order to form a substantially basket-like holder.

Said second plate 4 is crossed by a hole 4a, which forms a mouth of said substantially basket-like holder.

Advantageously, said second plate 4 has a reduced cross-size with respect to said base plate 2.

Therefore, the stability of the flower holder structure 1 against accidental turnovers is more ensured.

According to a preferred embodiment, the stiff elongate connecting elements are rod-like elements 3, conveniently made of metal rod iron, and preferably said rod-like elements 3 are spaced in an orderly way along a peripheral edge 2a of said base plate 2.

For the removable connection to the base plate 2, each rod-like element

3 has an end section 3a being axially holed and internally threaded, intended for being engaged by corresponding threaded means 5. The section 3a abuts against, or it is even engaged through, a respective through-hole 6, provided in the base plate 2, and it is blocked in this position by the corresponding screw 5, operating on the side of said base plate 2, opposite to the side wherefrom the rod-like element 3 extends.

Advantageously, the screws 5, which are blocking or removable- connection means, have an enlarged head 5a, for example round, to form the supporting pins of the structure of the present invention.

The removable connection of the rod-like elements 3 to the second plate 4 is preferably realised as above-described, being therefore not repeated.

Once these connections are realised, a stiff structure is obtained, defining a substantially basket-like holder serving to hold the flowers F.

For completing the flower holder structure 1, the base plate 2 is equipped, on the side oriented inwards of the above holder, with an annular raised edge 2b defining a housing seat 2c for a substantially cup-like holder 7.

The main advantage of the flower holder structure according to the invention is that it can support in an effective and stable way dry or freshly-cut flowers, and similar long-stemmed or long-stalked ornaments, without risking to turn over, allowing, for freshly-cut flowers, only an end portion of the stalk or stem thereof to be kept dipped in a liquid.

In fact, this flower holder structure defines a stiff and substantially basket-like holder having to serve as a support for cut flowers.

This allows holders which are much shorter than the stalk or stem length to be used for moisturising flowers, since this kind of holder must not serve as a support for the flowers F.

On the basis of the above, it is thus possible to dip in a liquid only an end portion of the flower stems, without jeopardising the flower holder structure stability.

This advantage materialises in that cut flowers live longer, since, for the stems thereof, only the part being dipped in the liquid will be affected by maceration or decomposition phenomena, and it will be possible to trim the flower stem only in that portion, so that cut flowers live longer and they look like just-cut flowers.

A further advantage is that the cut flower moisturising holder can be washed or the liquid therein can be replaced without removing the flowers F from the flower holder structure, which supports them, even when performing said operations.

This avoids the drawback of dirtying and wetting the surrounding environment when performing the above operations.

It must also be said that advantageously the flower holder structure according to the invention allows flowers F to be looked at as a whole, not limiting the sight only to the upper portion, but allowing them to be observed as a whole, thus certainly increasing the charm thereof.

Finally a last but not less important advantage derives from the reduced size of the flower holder structure according to the present invention when not in use, due to a realisation thereof which is suitable for a fast and easy assembly and disassembly, by virtue of the use of fixing or removable-connection means.

It must also be said that the flower holder structure according to the invention is suitable for an aesthetically likeable realisation so as to enhance, when being used, the environment to which it is assigned, and also that it has shown simple, so as to allow it to be produced on a large scale at low cost.

Obviously, the so-designed invention can undergo several variations and changes, for example the fixing or removable-connection means can be a string, a cord, clips, hooks, clamps and similar fixing or removable-

connection means rather than screws.

The stiff elongate connecting elements 3 can be chosen among rods, bars, strips, branches and similar stiff elongate elements, which, in an alternative embodiment, can be removably associated with the base plate 2 and with the plate 4 by engaging with said plates.

In a further embodiment, the base 2 of the flower holder structure 1 can comprise a frame and a plurality of rod-like elements associated therewith and all projecting inwards of said frame, to form a stiff substantially mesh or net structure, serving as a support for the holder 7.

And yet, the base plate 2 of the flower holder structure 1, if conveniently shaped, i. e. if equipped with a suitable recess on the side oriented inwards of the substantially basket-like holder defined by said structure, can serve as a holder 7 for containing a liquid for moisturising the flowers F.

The plate 4 can be crossed by a plurality of holes, having the same or a different diameter, for supporting respective single flowers F.

To said variations and changes of the flower holder structure according to the present invention, a skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent and specific needs, can add some more, all however falling within the scope of protection of the invention, as defined by the claims reported hereafter.