EP3056451B1

EP3056451B1 - Floral gift box serving as a greeting card

Info

Publication number: EP3056451B1
Application number: EP16155596.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerardus Leonardus MAAS; Mehtap TOP
Original assignee: Smithers Oasis Co
Current assignee: Smithers Oasis Co
Priority date: 2015-02-16
Filing date: 2016-02-12
Publication date: 2018-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-12
Also published as: US20160236856A1; CA2920861A1; PL3056451T3; EP3056451A1; ES2683549T3

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention herein resides in the art of packaging and maintaining cut floral arrangements. More particularly, the invention relates to a greeting card configured as a box adapted for receiving and maintaining cut floral arrangements in a display format that is convenient for shipping and handling. More specifically, the invention relates to the packaging of cut flowers in an attractive arrangement and in which the packaging may be adapted for maintaining and presenting additional gifts and displays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cut flower arrangements are commonly used as expressions of gratitude, means of encouragement, expressions of feelings, and as gifts in general. Most often, the cut flowers are simply delivered wrapped in an appropriate paper and requiring prompt placement into a vase of water or other solution. While the flowers may be accompanied by another physical gift, the two are typically presented separately. Moreover, while flowers are often delivered, they are typically delivered locally since it is necessary to keep the cut arrangement nourished or hydrated following the cutting in order to ensure a reasonable life for the arrangement itself. The art is devoid of a means for protecting the arrangement during display or
US 4,917,240 discloses a floral greeting card. US 3,552,059 discloses a box for the delivery of flowers, where the recipient removes the flowers from the box to put them into water.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the floral gift box, serving as a greeting card for maintaining and delivering a cut floral arrangement in a predetermined configuration.
Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a floral gift box that includes floral foam for maintaining the vitality of the floral arrangement during delivery and thereafter.
Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a floral gift box in which the box maintains and displays both a floral arrangement and an associated non-floral gift.
Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a floral gift box in which a floral arrangement is presented and apparent while being protected by an optional clear plastic cover or maintained and protected in a decorative bag..
Yet another aspect of the invention is the provision of a floral gift box in which the box and cover secure each other as an integral package, maintaining a concealed block of floral foam while displaying a floral arrangement and optionally an associated gift.
The foregoing and other aspects of the invention that will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a floral gift box, comprising a base box having a first cut-out region in a top thereof; floral foam within said base box and beneath said first cut-out region; and a cover receiving said base box.
Additional aspects of the invention are achieved by a floral gift box, comprising a base box having a first cut-out region in a top thereof; floral foam within said base box and beneath said first cut-out region; and a cover receiving said base box.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the various aspects and structures of the invention, reference is to be made to the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a floral gift box;
Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the floral foam tray incorporated with the various embodiments of the invention;
Fig. 3 is an assembly view of an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of yet a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, a floral gift box can be seen as designated by the numeral 10. The gift box 10 includes a base box portion 12 having a cut-out area 14 in the top thereof. Extending outwardly from the cut-out area is cut floral arrangement 16, the floral arrangement taking the general configuration of the cut-out area 14. A protective cover 18, preferably of a transparent plastic material, may be securedly received by the box 12 as by a snap fit about the perimeter thereof, or otherwise. Alternatively, the box 12 may be received in a decorative bag or the like.
Received within the box 12, and receiving the stems of the cut floral arrangement 16, is a block of floral foam, which is maintained in a base tray as designated by the numeral 20 in Fig. 2. The base tray 20 is preferably of a waterproof nature, formed of an appropriate plastic or the like, and is configured to hold a floral foam block 22 within a recess defined by the tray 20. As is well known by those skilled in the art, the floral foam is hydrophilic, maintaining water with or without additive for maintaining the vitality of the floral arrangement 16, the cut stems of which are inserted thereinto. Extending over the floral foam block 22 is a plastic wrap sealing cover 24, which is sealed about the top edges 26 of a tray 28 receiving the floral foam block 22. In any event, the floral foam block and the liquid retained thereby are sealed until the plastic wrap sealing cover 24 is removed or pierced by the stems of the flowers of the cut floral arrangement 16.
With reference to Fig. 3, a floral gift box assembly made in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the numeral 30. Here, the base box 32 is adapted to receive a block of floral foam 22 and expose a portion thereof through an opening or window 34. A box cover or sleeve 36 is adapted to be placed over the base 32, either from the top or from a side thereof. The sleeve or cover 36 has a cut-out area 38 of any desired configuration, such as a heart or the like. Of course, it will be appreciated that the cut-out area 38 may be tailored to a particular event or purpose associated with the presentation of the floral gift box. In any event, the cut-out area 38 generally aligns with the window 34 to accommodate passage of the cut stems of the resulting cut floral arrangement 16 such that those stems are maintained within the block of floral foam 22.
A clear plastic cover 40, of a height sufficient to accommodate the cut floral arrangement 16, is then placed over the top of the resulting floral gift box and snap fit or otherwise securedly received about the top perimeter thereof. The cover 40 may secure the entirety of the base box 32, slide cover 36, and clear plastic cover 40 as an integral unit, locking those elements together.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4 and designated by the numeral 42. Here again, a base box 44 is provided with a cut-out region 46, again in the shape of a heart, that receives cut flowers 48, the stems of which are received by the floral foam of a tray received within the box 42, as described above. The box 44 is further characterized by other cut-out regions or adornments 50, such as the butterfly shown. The box 44 may serve as a floral greeting card with appropriate adornments 50 or written messages appropriate for the occasion.
Yet a further embodiment of the invention is designated by the numeral 52 and shown in Fig. 5. Here, a base box 54 is again provided to maintain an appropriate tray of floral foam therein beneath a cut-out portion 56, here shown in the form of an apple. The cut-out area 56 receives the cut floral arrangement 58 as illustrated.
Also provided in the box 54 is a cut-out region 60 for receiving an appropriate gift such as a cell phone, electronic data device, or the like. Accordingly, the box 54 has two cut-out regions, one to accommodate a cut floral arrangement and the other to accommodate a physical gift. In such an embodiment, the tray of floral foam will typically be only as large as necessary to accommodate the cut-out 58, while a protective foam or the like may be in the region surrounding the cut-out 60 for purposes of protecting the gift received thereby. It is further contemplated that the cut-out 60 or any other suitable cut-out area may be filled with a colored rainbow foam or the like upon or into or onto which a gift, such as a key, jewelry, or the like may be placed. Once again, the embodiment 52 may employ a suitable transparent plastic cover to be received by the box 54 and protect both the floral arrangement and gift or the box 54 may be placed in an appropriately sized decorative bag or the like.
Thus, it can be seen that the various aspects of the invention have been satisfied by the structure presented above. While in accordance with the patent statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. For an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.

Claims

A floral gift box (30, 42, 52), comprising:
a base box (32, 44, 54) having a first cut-out region (38, 46, 56) in a top thereof;

floral foam (22) within said base box and beneath said first cut-out region;

a cover (40) receiving said base box; and

said first cut-out region receiving a floral arrangement (48, 58) having cut stems received by said block of floral foam;

characterized by:
said floral foam comprising a block of floral foam (22) maintained in a sealed tray (28);

said base box comprising a box slidably receiving a sleeve (36) thereover, said sleeve having said first cut-out region (38, 46, 56); and

said cover (40) being transparent and interlocking said box and sleeve.
The floral gift box according to claim 1, further characterized in that said top of said base box has a second cut-out region (60) adjacent said first cut-out region receiving a physical gift.
The floral gift box according to claim 2, further characterized in that said physical gift is received in a second cut-out region (60) in said top of said base box.
The floral gift box according to claim 1, further characterized in that said sealed tray is maintained within only a portion of said base box.
The floral gift box according to claim 1, further characterized in that said top of said base box has a second cut-out region (60) adjacent said first cut-out region receiving a physical gift, and wherein said physical gift is received in a second foam-filled cut-out region in said top of said base box.
The floral gift box according to claim 5, further characterized in that said first and second cut-out regions complement each other.