Systems and methods related to layout of decorative elements

Abstract

Systems and methods related to the selection and arrangement of decorative elements. The system includes a tray having at least one simulation cavity which replicates the dimensions of an actual article of jewelry. The method includes selecting various decorative elements and arranging them within the at least one cavity to sample various arrangements, then placing the decorative elements in the article of jewelry.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device for arranging decorative elements for placement within a cavity of a predetermined jewelry article, the device comprising:
 a body having a first surface and a second. surface opposite the first surface;   at least one simulation cavity extending from the first surface towards the second surface;   at least one recess extending from the first surface towards the second surface; and   an aperture formed through the first and second surfaces,   wherein the at least one simulation cavity is sized and configured to emulate dimensions of the cavity of the predetermined jewelry article.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , the body comprising a plurality of simulation cavities extending from the first surface towards the second. surface. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2 , the body comprising a plurality of recesses extending from the first surface towards the second surface, 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein each simulation cavity is substantially the same shape. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein each simulation cavity is substantially circular. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein each simulation cavity has a different volume than each of the other simulation cavities. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a circumferential ridge extending inward into the aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the ridge is disposed closer to the second surface than the first surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises:
 a first side extending between the first surface and the second surface; and   a channel extending inward from the first side and terminating in a substantially circular terminus, the channel adapted to receive a drinkware stem.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the channel and the simulation cavity are on opposite sides of the aperture. 
     
     
         11 . A method for selecting and arranging decorative elements for placement within a cavity of a predetermined jewelry article, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a tray having a body with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, at least one simulation cavity extending from the first surface towards the second surface, at least one recess extending from the first surface towards the second surface, and an aperture formed through the first and second surfaces, wherein the at least one simulation cavity is sized and configured to emulate the dimensions of the cavity of the predetermined jewelry article;   selecting at least one of a plurality of decorative elements;   placing the at least one selected decorative element within one of the plurality of cavities to indicate a preferred decorative element arrangement; and   receiving the predetermined jewelry article including a received decorative element arrangement within the cavity of the article, wherein the received decorative element arrangement is at least substantially similar to the preferred decorative element arrangement.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of supporting a cup at least partially within the aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of after the selecting step:
 placing the at least one selected decorative element into the cup; and   removing the at least one selected decorative element from the cup.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 removing one of the decorative elements from one of the simulation cavities; and   placing the removed decorative element into the cup.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of transferring the preferred decorative element arrangement to a geographic location at which the received decorative element arrangement is created. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of simulation cavities are of various sizes, 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of simulation cavities are of various shapes. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein one of the plurality of recesses is sized to receive tongs. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the selecting and placing steps are performed with the tongs. 
     
     
         20 . A device for arranging decorative elements for placement within a cavity of a predetermined jewelry article, the device comprising:
 a body having a substantially planar first surface extending between a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, a left side extending between the front side and the rear side, and a right side opposite the left side and extending between the front side and the rear side, the body having a second surface opposite the first surface;   a circular aperture formed through the first and second. surfaces, wherein a circumferential ridge extends inward. into the aperture;   a first reentrant circular simulation cavity having a first diameter, the first simulation cavity extending from the first surface towards the second. surface, wherein the first simulation cavity is positioned between the right side and the aperture;   a second reentrant circular simulation cavity having a second diameter, the second simulation cavity extending from the first surface towards the second surface and the second diameter being larger than the first diameter, wherein the second simulation cavity is positioned between the right side and the aperture, and between the right side and the first simulation cavity;   a third reentrant circular simulation cavity having a third diameter, the third simulation cavity extending from the first surface towards the second surface and the third diameter being larger than the second diameter, wherein the third simulation cavity is positioned between the right side and the aperture, and closer to the front side than each of the first and second simulation cavities;   a first reentrant recess extending from the first surface towards the second surface, the first recess being positioned between the left side and the aperture; and   a second reentrant recess extending from the first surface towards the second surface, the second recess being positioned between the rear side and the aperture;   wherein each simulation cavity is sized and. configured to emulate dimensions of a cavity of a predetermined jewelry article.