# US 8,739,462 B2 · Method of decorating a food product > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,462 B2 - Document ID: US8739462B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/598,070 - Filed: 2012-08-29 - Published: 2012-12-20 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2007-04-05 - Applicants: M. Kathleen Meisinger; David A. Meisinger - Inventors: M. Kathleen Meisinger; David A. Meisinger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739462B2 ## CPC - A47G 7/02: Devices for supporting flower-pots or cut flowers (flower-pots, holders for flower-pots in greenhouses A01G) - A01G 5/04: Mountings for wreaths, or the like; Racks or holders for flowers - A23G 3/28: Apparatus for decorating sweetmeats or confectionery - A47G 19/00: Table service - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) - A23G: COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF ## Abstract Decorating methods including a vase for associating flowers and other decorative items with cakes and other food products are described. Vase embodiments which may be used to practice the method may include a water-holding reservoir having a bottom wall, an upright rim, and plural flower-stem-receiving wells. Each well is defined by at least one well wall depending from the bottom wall and has an opening capable of receiving water from the reservoir. Vase embodiments may include a reservoir of various shapes and sizes. Vases may be placed on a cake or other food product permitting the cake or food product to be attractively and easily decorated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of decorating a food product comprising: providing a monolithic article comprising a plurality of flower-stem-receiving wells; simultaneously placing the plurality of flower-stem-receiving wells into a food product surface; and before or after placing, inserting a flower stem into a respective one of the wells to provide a floral arrangement associated with the food product. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein each well is defined by a wall having a top opening for receiving water and the flower stem. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 further comprising pouring water into the plurality of wells. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising cutting a flower stem to a desired length before inserting the flower stem into a respective one of the wells. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the wells is frusto-conical. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the wells is generally conical. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the wells is a cylinder ending in a cone. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein each well is free of stem-supporting structure extending below the well. ### Claim 9 A method of decorating a food product having top, bottom, and side surfaces, comprising: positioning a vase for supporting flowers in water proximate to the food product top surface, the vase having a water-holding reservoir with an upright rim and with a bottom from which a plurality of flower-stem-receiving wells project generally down; pushing the vase toward the food product top surface such that the plurality of flower-stem-receiving wells are inserted simultaneously into the food product top surface and the bottom of the vase rests directly on the food product top surface; and before or after pushing the vase, inserting at least one flower stem into a well to thereby provide a floral arrangement associated with the food product. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein each well is defined by a wall having a top opening for receiving water and the flower stem and each well is free of stem-supporting structure extending below the well. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising pouring water into the plurality of wells. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising cutting a flower stem to a desired length before inserting the flower stem into the well. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein at least one of the wells is generally frusto conical. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein at least one of the wells is generally conical. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein at least one of the wells is generally a cylinder ending in a cone. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein each well is free of stem-supporting structure extending below the well. ### Claim 17 A method of decorating a food product having top, bottom, and side surfaces, comprising: positioning an article-holding vase proximate to the food product top surface, the vase having a water-holding reservoir with an upright rim and with a bottom from which a plurality of article-receiving wells with narrowed distal ends project generally down; pushing the vase toward and into the food product top surface such that the plurality of wells are inserted simultaneously into the food product top surface, narrowed distal end first to minimize food product displacement, and the bottom of the vase rests directly on the food product top surface; and before or after pushing the vase, inserting at least one decorative article into a well to thereby decorate the food product. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the at least one decorative article comprises flowers with stems and the method further comprises inserting the flower stems into the wells. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further comprising pouring water into the vase and wells to hydrate the flowers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the vase is a one-piece article.