Combination candle and flower holder

Abstract

A combination candle holder and flower holder is provided in which the member that holds the candle is also amenable to holding a flower when a candle is not disposed therein. This principle can be employed for devices that are designed to hold either a candle or a single flower or to devices that can simultaneously hold one or more candles and one or more flowers. Sine the same structure can effectively hold either a candle or a flower it provides increased flexibility and utility for the device.

1 . A candle and flower holding system, comprising: 
 a holder member adapted to selectively hold a candle or support a flower stem, the holder member comprising: 
 a first cavity having a lateral support portion and a vertical support portion, the lateral support portion adapted to provide lateral support for a candle placed within the first cavity, the vertical support portion adapted to provide vertical support for a candle placed within the first cavity; and  
 an aperture formed through a bottom of the first cavity, the aperture sized and configured to accommodate a flower stem extending therethrough, the aperture having a side adapted to laterally support the flower stem; and  
   a second cavity disposed below the holder member and being contiguous with the aperture, the second cavity configured to hold water;    wherein the system may selectively hold a candle or a flower and water without changing the system configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral support portion comprises a wall, and the vertical support comprises a generally horizontal surface.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral support portion comprises at least one rib.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the ribs are configured to at least partially penetrate a candle engaging the ribs.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first cavity has a first diameter and the second cavity has a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.  
   
   
       6 . A support member attachable to a container, the support member configured to alternatively hold a candle or a flower and comprising: 
 an attachment member configured to attach the support member to the container;    a candle holder member having a longitudinal axis and comprising a first member adapted to provide vertical support for a candle disposed on the holder member, a second member adapted to provide lateral support for a candle disposed on the holder member so that the holder member selectively holds a candle generally along the longitudinal axis; and    a flower holder member comprising a lateral support surface disposed about an aperture, the aperture configured to accommodate a flower stem and having a longitudinal axis that is substantially collinear with the candle holder longitudinal axis;    wherein the support member can selectively hold either a candle or support a flower stem.    
   
   
       7 . The support member of  claim 6 , wherein the candle holder member and flower holder member are contiguous.  
   
   
       8 . The support member of  claim 7 , wherein the first member of the candle holder member comprises the lateral support surface disposed about the aperture of the flower holder member.  
   
   
       9 . The support member of  claim 8 , wherein the support member comprises a plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members that are attached to one another.  
   
   
       10 . The support member of  claim 9  additionally comprising spaces between the plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members, the spaces adapted to accommodate flower stems extending therethrough.  
   
   
       11 . The support member of  claim 9 , wherein the support member is adapted to be suspended over a bowl portion of a container so that each of the plurality of contiguous flower/candle support members communication with the bowl portion.  
   
   
       12 . The support member of  claim 6 , wherein the support member is adapted to rest upon a container.