EP4278932A1

EP4278932A1 - Foldable vase

Info

Publication number: EP4278932A1
Application number: EP23154023.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Teye Leander Aalt Ubbens; Casper van Alfen; Paulus Nicolaas Kapteijn
Original assignee: Arena Online Ltd
Current assignee: Arena Online Ltd
Priority date: 2022-01-28
Filing date: 2023-01-30
Publication date: 2023-11-22
Also published as: NL2030777B1

Abstract

A foldable vase (100) for postal delivery comprises a sheet (10) of waterproof paper provided with folds arranged to form the vase. The vase can be folded flat and delivered in a package together with cut flowers without occupying much of the package space, such that the combined package can be delivered through a domestic sized letter box. On arrival, the vase can be used directly without first requiring complex assembly. The vase may be manufactured of recycled flower pulp.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a foldable vase structure, in particularly, a foldable vase structure suitable for postal delivery, a package comprising the foldable vase, and a method of producing such a vase.

Background art

Foldable paper vases are known from the prior art. US4910913 discloses a blank, stored in a flat condition including fold lines and cuts to form a paper vase having a flat triangular bottom, tapered sides and an irregular sculptured upper edge.
WO 2004/006733 discloses a vase made of a thin foldable material and having a wall, an upper opening and a lower bottom, provided with a foot. The bottom is, by gluing, joined to a central panel of the first plane unfolding to secure the foot to the vase. The vase is especially applicable as packaging during transport of a flower bouquet.
US 2008/0099356 discloses a flower shipment packaging including a generally cylindrical outer container with a lid, wherein a support for the vase of a floral arrangement is inserted at the lower portion of the inner chamber of the outer container. Above the vase support, a bouquet support is provided and the package is completed by inserting the ends of the stems of the bouquet into a foam hydration system enclosing the hydration system and the stems of the bouquet within a plastic bag and securing the sub-assembly together. Although the package can potentially be posted, there is a risk that the recipient may not be present to receive the package and that it may be returned to the depot for later collection. Although this may be acceptable for non-perishable deliveries, it will be understood that for the delivery of a bouquet of flowers, it is essential that they reach their destination directly.
GB2488876 discloses a flower gift kit comprising an enclosure, a presentation tray for a flower, and an insert configured to be generally flat beneath the presentation tray, between the tray and a flower of the enclosure. The insert can be erected by a user into a 3D stand for the flower through a series of folding operations.
Despite low costs of such vases, much material is wasted by cutting out the unnecessary parts to create a vase template. Furthermore, the assembly of such vases may be complex and require additional fastening means to hold the vase in place. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a sheet and a method for producing a vase with minimal material waste, that can be delivered in a package together with a floral arrangement without occupying much of the package space, such that the combined package can be delivered through a domestic sized letter box and that can be used directly without first requiring time consuming and complex assembly of the vase.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a foldable vase for postal delivery as defined in claim 1. The vase comprises a sheet of waterproof paper provided with folds arranged to form the vase. In this context, waterproof is intended to define that the paper is able to hold water for up to 14 days without leakage or loss of structural integrity. Furthermore, reference to paper is intended to denote a paper or pulp based product, covering paper, card, paperboard, cardboard and combinations of the same.
The sheet has a generally square outer periphery with zones defined thereon by fold lines to define: a square base, side faces and corner regions. The square base is located at a centre of the sheet. The four side faces of the vase are adjacent to the base and extend to the outer periphery of the sheet such that together with the base form a shape of a cross. The side faces may be generally quadrilateral and bound by a base edge, two side folds, and the outer periphery. A ratio of a height dimension of the side faces to their width at the base is between 1.5:1 and 3:1, preferably 2:1. The corner regions are formed between adjacent side faces and the periphery of the sheet. They may be triangular and bound by two side folds belonging to neighbouring side faces and the outer periphery. Each of the corner regions is bisected by a diagonal fold line extending from a corner of the base to the outer periphery. The diagonal fold lines are aligned with diagonals of the base. On folding the side faces upwards from the base, the corner regions can fold at the diagonal fold line to form outwardly protruding wings, wherein a first wing can fold flat against the side face of the vase and a second wing can fold over the first wing and engage therewith to form the vase.
The sheet further comprises a central fold line bisecting the base and two opposite side faces, whereby on folding the vase at the central fold the vase can collapse to a flattened form suitable for postal delivery. The sheet according to present invention is advantageous with respect to the prior art as it efficiently uses sheet area for vase elements. Furthermore, starting from a standard rectangular blank of paper almost no material is wasted in a process of making the sheet with folds for the vase according to the present invention. All the fold lines are straight and simple to imprint by a standard automatic cutting and creasing machine resulting in an affordable and fast production process.
In an embodiment, the base is oriented on a diagonal of the sheet or, in other words, the base is rotated 45 degrees with respect to the sheet and oriented such that the diagonals of the sheet bisect the base edges. Additionally, corners of the sheet may be folded or cut to form straight upper edges of the side faces. The upper edges may then be substantially parallel to the base edges.
In an alternative embodiment, the base may have the same orientation as the sheet, wherein the diagonals of the base are aligned with the diagonals of the sheet. In this case, the upper edges will already be parallel to the base edges.
The second wing can engage with the first wing in any suitable manner. It will be understood that the vase will also have third and fourth wings which can engage in the same manner and will not be further referenced. Engagement can be by gluing or by application of an adhesive sticker or the like. In particular, since the vase is collapsed in the assembled state, the wings can be permanently engaged during a production step prior to postal delivery. It is however not excluded that the vase may be delivered in a disassembled state whereby the recipient folds the sheet to form the vase.
In an embodiment, the first wing comprises a slit into which an end of the second wing may be tucked upon folding the sheet. The slit may be located close to but sufficiently away from the side fold to form a stable connection with the end of the second wing in order to fasten the vase. The connection may be strong enough to withhold a floral arrangement and an amount of water placed inside the vase without use of any additional fastening means such as a ribbon, glue, band, or similar. The slit may be parallel to the side fold. Preferably, the vase according to the present invention has two such slits. The slits may be located on opposite wings and further, the slits may be oriented anti-symmetrically with respect to the centre of the sheet.
In an embodiment, each corner region further comprises a triangular notch formed at the periphery of the sheet around the diagonal fold. The triangular notch is added to limit a protruding dimension of the wing and to ensure that upon folding the first wing against the side face, an end of the first wing does not pass the side fold of the side face, which would prevent the second wing from folding over it. The notch may be formed such that upon folding a wing flat against the side face, the end of the wing lies along the side fold of that side face.
In an embodiment, at least one side face comprises at least one water opening and wherein the water opening is no higher than a lowest end of the slit when the vase is assembled. The water opening may be used as a water level indicator to prevent the user from pouring too much water into the vase in use. Alternatively, the sheet may have markings on the paper or any other suitable indicator to signal to the user a recommended water level. Preferably, the two opposite side faces bisected by the central fold line comprise one or more water openings each placed symmetrically around the central fold line.
The ratio between the width at the base and the height of the side faces helps to ensure adequate stability of the vase. In an embodiment, the width of the side faces at the base is larger than a width of the side faces at their upper or peripheral edge. The width of the side faces at the base is the same as the size of the base edges and can be in the range between 50 mm and 150 mm, preferably around 85 mm. The width of the side faces at the peripheral edge may be less than 75 mm, preferably around 55 mm. Having a vase that tapers inwards from the base makes for a still more stable structure, especially when partially filled with water.
In an embodiment, the sheet has a width and a length in a range between 200 mm and 700 mm, preferably around 330 mm. As discussed below, maximum sizes for postal delivery to the public limits the width dimension of the package and hence the size of the bloom. This also determines a sensible size of vase in order to ensure desirable proportions between the flowers and the vase.
In an embodiment, the paper comprises recycled material such as flowers and/or coffee cups, preferably coming from a single recycling stream. The use of recycled material is desirable as it can lower the material costs and positively contributes to waste management. The thickness of the paper may be in a range between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. In terms of weight, it may have a weight of between 175 g/m2 and 600 g/m2. The sheet may be made of an inherently waterproof paper or a non-waterproof paper wherein a water protective layer has been added to at least a surface of the sheet intended to form an inner vase space. Alternatively or additionally, the protective layer may be added only to a portion of the surface of the sheet intended to be in contact with water, i.e. below the water opening when the vase is in use. The water protective layer preferably comprises bio-based and eco-friendly materials that do not hinder recyclability and composability of the sheet such as polylactic acid (PLA). However, the water protective layer may also comprise wax, microglaze, adhesives, fiberglass resin, lacquer, acrylic, or similar. When in the flattened form, the vase may have a thickness of no more than 15 mm.
Although the present description is directed to a square cross-section vase, it is not excluded that the sheet may be triangular or pentagonal or similar. The base can have the same shape as the sheet and a number of side faces corresponds to a number of peripheral edges of the sheet.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product comprising a sheet of waterproof material configured to be folded to form a vase and a floral arrangement, wherein the product is configured to fit through a mailbox slot according to EN 13724 (2013) standard. The product may further comprise a package to accommodate the vase and the cut flowers within a package space. The sheet may be placed under, or next to the cut flowers. Due to its small thickness, the package space occupied by the sheet is minimal, allowing the package space to be efficiently used for the cut flowers . The product according to the present invention offers an affordable and fast form of delivering the cut flowers together with the vase via a postal service.
In an embodiment, the product has a width of no more than 254 mm, preferably no more than 229 mm, a length of no more than 600 mm, preferably no more than 324 mm, and a thickness of no more than 35 mm, preferably no more than 30 mm, and most preferably no more than 24 mm.
In an embodiment, the product comprises a foldable vase according to the first aspect of the present invention. Preferably, the collapsed vase, i.e. the foldable vase in its flattened form, is placed within the package. The collapsed vase may be placed next to stems of the floral arrangement to utilize the package space. The package may comprise attachment means to fasten the collapsed vase to the package. Furthermore, the package my comprise floral attachment means to fix the cut flowers within the package and secure it during transport. Additionally, the product may comprise a greeting card and/or a small gift.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a foldable vase, wherein the method comprises steps of:

providing a substantially rectangular sheet of waterproof paper;
creating fold lines across the sheet to define a base, four side faces forming with a base a shape of a cross, and four corner regions;
creating two diagonal folds along diagonals of the base, wherein the diagonal folds extend to the corner regions bisecting them into mirror portions, whereby on folding the side faces upwards from the base, the corner regions can fold at the diagonal folds to form outwardly protruding wings; and
creating a central fold bisecting the base and two opposite side faces.

The fold lines may be created on a standard paper cutting and creasing machine such as an Heidelberg cylinder press. Additionally, during the step of creating the folds, the sheet may be cut to create slits, water openings, triangular notches and/or straight upper edges as defined in the first aspect of the invention. The sheet with defined folds may be packed and distributed in its flat form while the folding may be performed by a distributor such as a florist prior to shipping the cut flowers with the vase to an end user or by the end user prior to using the vase. Alternatively, the sheet with defined folds may be folded in the assembly line and packed and distributed in a flattened vase form suitable for postal delivery.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank of waterproof paper provided with folds, slits and openings substantially as herein described with reference to the figures.
Further advantages of the disclosed invention will become evident in the following.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 depicts a top view of a sheet comprising a plurality of fold lines for creating a vase according to the present invention;
Fig. 2a depicts a perspective view of the sheet of Fig. 1 upon partially folding the sheet along the fold lines;
Fig. 2b depicts a perspective view of the vase according to the present invention in the assembled state;
Fig. 3a depicts a side view of the vase according to the present invention in a collapsed state;
Fig. 3b depicts a zoomed area around a vase opening of the vase in the collapsed state from Fig. 3a;
Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of a product comprising the vase according to the present invention.

Description of embodiments

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to drawings in which illustrative embodiments thereof are shown. The drawings are intended exclusively for illustrative purposes and not as a restriction of the inventive concept which is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is only limited by the definitions presented in the appended claims.
Figure 1 illustrates a sheet of paper 10 with a plurality of folds arranged to form a base 11, side faces 13, and corner regions 15 of a vase according to the present invention. The sheet 10 is substantially square with sides of width W . Corners of the sheet 10 have been cut to form upper edges 21 of the side faces 13. Each side face 13 is further defined by a base edge 19 and two side folds 23 extending between end points of the upper edge 21 and the base edge 19. The base 11 is located in the centre of the sheet 10, between the side faces 13, such that the base 11 and side faces 13 together form a shape of a cross. The base 11 is oriented such that the base edges 19 are parallel to the upper edges 21 while diagonals of the base 11 lie on a first diagonal fold line L1 and a second diagonal fold fine L2. The diagonal fold lines L1, L2 extend from the base 11 to the corner regions 15 and divide each of them into two mirror- symmetric corner portions 17a, 17b. The corner regions 15 are located between the side faces 13. They are substantially triangular and have a triangular notch 25 located at a periphery of the sheet 10, around the diagonal fold lines L1, L2. Two corner regions 15 have a slit 27 running parallel to the side fold 23. The slits 27 are located in corner portions that lie anti-symmetrically with respect to the diagonal fold lines L1, L2. Additionally, the sheet 10 has a central fold L3 that divides the sheet 10 into two symmetric parts and bisects the base 11 and two opposite side faces 13b, 13d. The opposite side faces 13b, 13d further have two water openings 29 each, placed close to the base edge 19 as an indicator of a recommended water level.
The sheet 10 is oriented such that the first diagonal fold line L1 extends in a transversal direction X while the second diagonal fold line L2 is perpendicular to the first diagonal fold line L1 and extends in a longitudinal direction Y. A direction perpendicular to the transversal direction X and the longitudinal direction Y is denoted a vertical direction Z.
Folding of the sheet 10 to form a vase will now be explained with reference to Figure 1 and Figures 2a and 2b. To form the vase according to the invention one needs to first fold the sheet 10 along the base edges 19 to raise all side faces 13 in the vertical direction Z, as shown in Fig. 1 by arrows F1.
Fig. 2a depicts that upon folding upwards, the side faces 13 are brought together such that the side folds 23 of neighbouring side faces 13 abut. Simultaneously, the corner regions 15 are folded outwards and creased along the diagonal fold lines L1, L2 such that the corner portions 17 form outwardly protruding wings 31. To further assemble the vase, a first wing 31a is folded against the side face 13a as indicated by an arrow F2 and a second wing 31b is folded against the first wing 31a as indicated by an arrow F2', such that an end of the second wing 32 is tucked inside the slit 27 of the first wing 31a. The same is done with the other first wing 31c and the other second wing 31d. These folds are indicated in Fig. 2a by arrows F2" and F2'", respectively.
Figure 2b, shows a vase 100 after folding the sheet 10 completely. The upper edges 21 form a vase opening 33 arranged to receive a floral arrangement and an amount of water. Water can be poured into the vase 100 up to the water openings 29. A height h0 of the water opening 29 aligns with a height hs of the slit 27.
The vase 100 of Fig. 2b can also be folded at the central fold line L3 to collapse the vase 100 to a flattened form 100', as illustrated in Figs 3a and 3b. The central fold line L3 divides the opposite side faces 13b and 13d into two symmetric portions 13b';13b" and 13d';13d", respectively, as well as the base 11 (not shown). Upon folding the vase along the central fold line L3, the divided elements are folded towards the inside the vase opening 33 until the symmetric portions of each element overlap and the vase 100 collapses to the flattened form 100'. In the flattened form 100', the vase 100 is suitable to be packed together with the cut flowers and sent by post. Dimensions of a package are chosen to fit through the mailbox slot. Consequently, dimensions of the vase in the flattened form 100', a length Lp and a width Wp, are arranged to fit inside the package.
Fig. 4 depicts a product 200 for postal delivery comprising a package 120, a plurality of flowers 110 and the collapsed vase 100'. The collapsed vase 100' is placed over the stems of the flowers 110.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive to the inventive concept. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that alternative and equivalent embodiments of the invention can be conceived and reduced to practice. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular configuration or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
All modifications which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

A foldable vase (100) for postal delivery, comprising a sheet (10) of waterproof paper provided with folds arranged to form the vase, wherein the sheet has a generally square outer periphery with zones defined thereon by fold lines to define:
a square base (11) located at the centre of the sheet,

side faces (13) of the vase forming with the base, the shape of a cross and extending to the outer periphery, wherein a ratio of a height dimension (H) of the side faces to their width (19) at the base is between 1.5:1 and 3:1;

corner regions (15), formed between adjacent side faces and the periphery of the sheet, the corner regions each being bisected by a diagonal fold line (L1, L2) extending from a corner of the base to the outer periphery, whereby on folding the side faces upwards from the base, the corner regions can fold at the diagonal fold line to form outwardly protruding wings (31),

wherein a first wing (31a, 31c) can fold flat against the side face of the vase and a second wing (31b, 31d) can fold over the first wing and engage therewith to form the vase, and wherein the sheet further comprises a central fold line (L3) bisecting the base and two opposite side faces whereby on folding the vase at the central fold the vase can collapse to a flattened form (100') suitable for postal delivery.
The vase according to claim 1, wherein the base is oriented on a diagonal of the sheet and wherein corners of the sheet are folded or cut to form straight upper edges (21) of the side faces.
The vase according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first wing comprises a slit (27) into which an end of the second wing (32) may be tucked upon folding the sheet.
The vase according to claim 3, wherein at least one side face comprises at least one water opening (29) and wherein the water opening is no higher than a lowest end of the slit when the vase is assembled.
The vase according to any preceding claim, wherein each corner region further comprises a triangular notch (25) formed at the periphery of the sheet around the diagonal fold.
The vase according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the side faces at the base (19) is larger than a width of the side faces at the peripheral edge (21).
The vase according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet has a width (W) and a length (L) in range between 200 mm and 700 mm, preferably around 330 mm.
The vase according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the height dimension of the side faces to their width at the base is 2:1.
The vase according to any preceding claim, wherein the paper comprises recycled material such as one or more of the following: flowers, coffee cups, and the waterproofing is achieved by means of a polylactic acid (PLA) coating.
The vase according to any preceding claim, wherein the vase in the flattened form has a thickness of no more than 15 mm.
A product comprising a sheet of waterproof material configured to be folded to form a vase and cut flowers, wherein the product is configured to fit through a mailbox slot according to EN 13724 (2013) standard.
The product according to claim 11, wherein the product has a width of no more than 229 mm, a length of no more than 324 mm, and a thickness of no more than 35 mm, preferably no more than 30 mm, and most preferably no more than 24 mm.
The product according claims 11 or 12, wherein the product comprises a foldable vase according to any preceding claim.
A method for producing a foldable vase wherein the method comprises steps of:
- providing a substantially rectangular sheet of waterproof paper;

- creating four fold lines across the sheet, wherein the fold lines form a cross defining a rectangular base in a centre, four side faces, and four corner regions;

- creating two diagonal folds along diagonals of the base, wherein the diagonal folds extend to the corner regions bisecting them into mirror portions, whereby on folding the side faces upwards from the base, the corner regions can fold at the diagonal folds to form outwardly protruding wings;

- creating a central fold bisecting the base and two opposite side faces;

- folding the sheet along the four folds lines and the two diagonal lines to form the vase, wherein a first wing can fold flat against a side face of the vase and a second wing can fold over the first wing and engage therewith;

- folding the vase along the central fold to collapse the vase to a flattened form.
The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises steps of:
- creating a slit along an outer portion of the first wing into which an end of the second wing is tucked upon folding the sheet; and

- creating at least one water opening along at least one side face.
A blank of waterproof paper provided with folds, slits and openings substantially as herein described with reference to the figures.