FR2837803A1 - Package for transport and presentation of floral composition has inner base and top flaps shaped to retain plastics pouch to hold water - Google Patents

Abstract

The package is made from a panel of sheet material such as cardboard or plastics, cut out and folded to make a container (3) which has a base (8) and an internal false bottom (7) formed by a separate insert (5) with a central hole. The container is designed to receive a pouch (4) made from a plastic film material (2) which is held in place by the false bottom and by folding flaps (12) round the top (10). The pouch holds water and plant food for the stems of a floral composition (1), while the projecting upper part (11) of the film material forms a decorative collar for the bouquet.

Description

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1 2837803

  Packaging for transport and presentation of a floral composition,

  combining a water pocket housed in a rigid container.

  The present invention is in the field of packaging, and more particularly devices for transporting and

  presentation of floral arrangements, bouquets of stem flowers in particular.

  Many packages are known for transporting and presenting a floral composition or the like, mainly consisting of a sealed container receiving a nutritive component, inside which is placed the base of the floral composition and out of which container

  emerges the acrian part of this composition.

  Among these packages, there are known those more particularly intended for floral compositions shaped into a bouquet and composed of natural elements with cut stem, such as flowers or the like. Commonly, the stems are contained in a pocket of water formoe from a waterproof film folded over on itself, out of which pocket of water emerges the aerial part of the bouquet. Note that it is common to extend the film far beyond the reserve of water it contains, and to tighten this film around the stems of the flowers so as to form a presentation collar

  at the base of the aerial part of the bouquet.

  A first problem posed resides in the flaccid nature of the water pocket, the deformability of which makes it difficult to maintain its natural stability and its transport. A second problem posed lies in the dependence between the overall external appearance of the packaging and the conformation

  naturally bloated from the water pocket.

  To solve these problems, it has been proposed by the prior art of the frames intended to be wrapped by the waterproof film prior to the making of the bouquet, so as to give a natural support to the water pocket, or even to give this last a particular conformation for the approval of the external aspect of the packaging. We can for example refer to document EP1038478 (CHARRIN) which describes such packaging.

2 2837803

  Problems posed by this type of packaging reside in the difficulty of their implementation, in the persistent dependence between the conformation imparted to the water pocket by the frame and the external appearance.

  overall packaging, and in their transport which remains delicate.

  11 has also been proposed by FR2778177 (BENICH) a package in which the water bag is placed inside a rigid container for presentation and transport. The water pocket is formed of a film intended to be placed on the outlet of the container, then to be pressed towards the inside of the container to form the pocket. The water and the stem elements of the floral composition are introduced inside the pocket, the emergent part of the film outside the container being tightened around the stem of the elements, at the top of the water pocket and at the base. from the aerial part of the bouquet, to form the presentation collar. The tightening of the pocket is carried out by the user by means of a link equipping the rigid container in the vicinity of its top, the ends of which emerge from the wall of the container through slots from which it is provided. The flange thus formed rests on support flaps, which are articulated at the edge of the outlet of the container delimited by

its side walls.

  If such packaging overcomes the above problems, it remains unsatisfactory as to the methods implemented for the formation of the water pocket. Indeed, the provisions provided, both with regard to the penetration of the film towards the interior of the container as well as the tightening of the film by the link around the rods of the elements making up the bouquet, tend to alter the rigidity and stability of the container, and involve operations which are difficult to implement. In addition, the water pocket naturally occupies the interior volume of the container by pressing against its side walls and its bottom, without being maintained, with the consequence of an alteration of the stability and of the desired shape-keeping for the container, and a delicate transport of the packaging due to a natural floating of the water pocket

  inside the container, to the detriment of a stable maintenance of the bouquet.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a packaging for floral arrangement of elements with cut stems, such as flowers or the like, forming a bouquet, which is arranged to obviate the abovementioned problems. More particularly, it is the object of the present invention to provide such packaging in which the water bag does not interfere with keeping the container in shape, in which the bouquet is maintained, including during transport, and in which packaging formation, both in terms of

  relates to the container that the water pocket, is carried out easily and quickly.

  The packaging of the present invention combines a rigid container and a pocket housed inside the container for the reception of a nutritive liquid and the stems of the elements of a bouquet. This pocket is formed from a waterproof film introduced inside the container extemporaneously at the

  formation of the packaging, to receive the nutritive liquid and the stems of the elements.

  The film is introduced into the interior of the container so as to emerge therefrom after formation of the pocket, the container being equipped with means for clamping the middle part of the film to form a flange at the top of the pocket and at the base of the aerial part of the bouquet. The container further comprises at its

  top of the flaps hinged to the upper edges of its side walls.

  According to the present invention, such a container is mainly recognizable in that it comprises means for holding the pocket inside the container, the said holding means associating on the one hand a support base for the pocket with its base and secondly said flaps which are subject to each other for their spontaneously irreversible joint flap to the interior volume of the container. The base forms a double bottom of the container arranged overhanging a seat bottom of the latter, so that a separation space is provided between the base and the seat bottom of the container to receive the base of the pocket. . The spontaneously irreversible flap of the flaps towards the interior volume of the container, on the one hand delimits the outlet of the latter through which the rods of the elements emerge, constituting said clamping means, and on the other hand constitutes a means integral with the container for demarcate the

  volume naturally occupied by the pocket.

  It follows from these provisions a preservation of the conformation of the container, the bottom and the side walls of which are not subject to any deformation constraint notwithstanding the presence of the water pocket, the latter nevertheless being positively maintained by the container. It finally results from these provisions on the one hand that the rigidity of the container not being altered, it is likely to rest stably on a support and to be easily transported in a secure manner, and on the other hand that the

  pocket and the bouquet it contains are firmly held by the container.

  It also follows from these provisions that the introduction of the film inside the container for the formation of the pocket is capable of being carried out by the user by means of his fist up to the base, which constitutes an obstacle of protection of the bottom of the container during this operation, and that the opening of the container in the closed position, delimited by the outer edges of the flaps, not only makes it possible to maintain the pocket in its central zone to prevent its mobility at 1 inside the container, but also during a single operation to prohibit this mobility and to close by spontaneously irreversible clamping of the film in its central zone with a view to the formation of the flange. This ultimately results in quick and easy assembly of the packaging. It will also be noted that thanks to the provisions of the invention, and in particular the rupture of the conformation dependence between the pocket and the container which results therefrom, the conformation of the base of the container is indifferently any one of the polygonal and circular conformations , this conformation can be anyone to give the packaging an appearance

particular overall exterior.

  The base is for example composed of a pocket receiving sole, which is carried by spacers for holding the

  sole at a distance from the bottom of the container.

  Preferably, the base of the base is provided with an opening for centering and holding the base of the pocket capable of passing through it, this opening being bordered by radial slots forming tongues

  tightening the base of the rods of the elements introduced inside the pocket.

  According to a first embodiment of the base, the formation of the container by folding a blank is taken advantage of. The sole comes from a bottom wall of the container by folding towards the inside of the container from a middle zone of the corresponding part of the blank. This corresponding part of the blank has junction zones between the side walls of the container and said median zone, which form the spacers. The seat bottom of the container is formed by at least the lower edges of the side walls of the container, if not also by participating parts of said junction zones which extend in the plane defined by said edges and which are extended by

  parts specifically forming the spacers.

  According to a second preferred embodiment of the base, this is formed by an element attached to the interior of the connector. For example, the base is formed by folding a blank comprising a central zone which

  constitutes the sole and which is bordered by articulated flaps forming the spacers.

  Said flaps advantageously bear under the constraint of the weight of the pocket against the internal face of the lower edges of the side walls of the

  container delimiting its bottom seat.

  Furthermore, the means for securing the flaps together are preferably mainly constituted by the shutters being abutted successively against each other between concurrent orientations of the flaps relative to the general plane of the outlet of the container delimited by its side walls. . Such securing of the flaps between them causes the flaps to pass in force between an open position of the container in which they are arranged overhanging the upper edges of the side walls of the container and a film clamping position in which the flaps are folded down. inward of the container. These provisions are such that

  the spontaneous passage of the flaps from one of the said positions to the other is prohibited.

  The means for securing the shutters to each other further and preferably comprise members for joining the shutters successively to each other, which are foldable in bellows for taking support of the shutters by means of their lateral edges and for stiffening their

holding in the clamping position.

  The packaging is advantageously equipped with gripping means, consisting for example of a window formed in at least two of the opposite side walls of the container, or also by means of connection between the container and at least one gripping member, such as straps or the like. According to a preferred embodiment of these gripping means, these comprise an armature added on the periphery of the container and provided with at least one gripping handle. This frame is advantageously laterally extended to distance the handle from

  gripping far beyond the central area of the container.

  The frame is for example constituted by a rigid planar structure, such as a blank of cardboard, plastic, wood or the like, or even such as a mesh element, which is attached by fitting on the container. . This nesting is made in particular by threading the container through a central opening that the flat structure includes. The locking of the socket is carried out, according to various variants, either by means of specific cooperating locking members, such as male and female socket member, respectively arranged on the container and / or on the planar structure, ie and preferably from a flared conformation of the container, do nt a median peripheral dimension corresponds to the peripheral dimension of the opening that the planar structure comprises, for spontaneous blocking of the latter on the container from the latter's own weight in a gripping situation. Finally, it will be noted that the various blanks making up, if appropriate, the packaging of the present invention are, for example, blanks of cellular material, particularly cardboard, or else blanks of material.

  plastic with weakening lines to facilitate its folding.

  The present invention will be better understood, and

  details by appearing will appear in the description which will be made of them

  preferred embodiments, in relation to the figures of the appended plates, in which: FIG. 1 is a representation of a blank from which a container of the invention is formed, according to a first embodiment. Fig.2 and Fig.3 are successive illustrations of the formation of the bottom of a container from a blank shown in Fig.1. Fig.4 is a schematic sectional view of a package of the present invention containing a bouquet, comprising a

  container according to the embodiment illustrated in the previous figures.

  Fig.5 is a representation of a container participating in a packaging of the invention, according to a second embodiment

of the invention.

  Fig.6 is a representation of a formed container shown in Fig.5, illustrating the arrangements for closing its outlet according to u ne q uelconq ue of the embodiments it lustrous su r

the previous figures.

  Fig.7 and Fig.8 is schematic sectional views of a package of the present invention comprising a container according to the embodiment illustrated in Fig.5 and Fig.6, said package containing a bouquet according to applications respectively to a high bouquet and to a

round bouquet.

  Fig.6 is a representation of a container equipped with gripping means according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In fig. 4, fig. 7 and fig. 8, a bouquet 1 of cut stem flowers is contained in a presentation and transport package. This packaging combines a waterproof film 2 placed inside a rigid container 3, so as to form a pocket of water 4 immediately after the formation of the packaging. The container 3 comprises a base 5 or 6 composed of a sole 7 for the reception of the water pocket 4, which is held overhanging away from a seat bottom 8 of the container by spacers

  such as 9, so as to provide a gap between them.

  Furthermore, the container 3 has at its top clamping means 10 of the middle part of the film 2, to form a flange 11 at the top of the water pocket 4 and at the base of the aerial part of the bouquet 1. In referring also to the other figures, these clamping means 10 comprise flaps, such as 12, articulated at the upper edges of the side walls such as 13, of the container 3, which are subject to each other for their joint flap spontaneously irreversible towards the volume interior of the container 3. This securing is achieved by a support of the flaps 12 successively against each other between an open position and a closed position of the container 3, with a view to spontaneously irreversible locking of the container 3 in the closed position, in which the flaps 12 are inclined towards its bottom 8 while being generally contained in the volume of the container delimited by its side walls 13. The subject nt of the flaps 12 between them in particular implements bodies such as 14 of junction of the flaps 12 successively between them, which are foldable in bellows for a support taking of the flaps 12 successively one against the other via

  of their lateral edges and of the junction members 14 which can be folded into a bellows.

  This locking makes it possible to jointly enclose the film 2 and the stems of the flowers by robust elements integral with the container 3, with a view to their maintenance. Such clamping arrangements make it possible to exert a grip on the film 2 which allows the user to easily form the flange 11 from a traction exerted on the aerial part of the film 2. This grip does not, however, prevent a sliding of the film 2 through the opening 15 of the container 3 delimited by the flaps 12 between them in the closed position of the container 3, notwithstanding the efforts of tightening the rods that the container exerts on the latter via the flaps 12. It will also be noted that such arrangements allow the film 2 to be stretched inside the container 3 beyond the side walls 13 of the latter 3, in order to conform the water pocket 4, the latter being able to be kept in conformation regardless of an untimely push that it would otherwise tend to exert naturally against

  side walls 13 of container 3.

  It will be noted that according to an embodiment not shown in the figures, the flaps 12 are incidentally extended by flaps which can be folded inwards towards the interior of the container 3, to provide between them a

  axially extended corridor for guiding the rods, in order to promote their maintenance.

  S In fig. 1 to fig. 4, the container 3 is formed from a cardboard blank, in particular corrugated cardboard, the bottom wall of which is arranged for the formation of the base 6. A central zone 16, 17 of this bottom wall is provided to form the sole 7, while peripheral junction zones such as 18 between this middle zone 16,17 and the side walls 13 of the container 3 form the spacers 9. It will be noted that the bottom wall of the container 3 is formed from two flaps 16 and 17 fitted to one another, which are articulated on the joining zones 18 of the bottom wall with the lower edges 19 of two opposite side walls 13 of the container 3. It will be noted that according to this embodiment, the seat bottom 8 of the container 3 1S is constituted by the lower edges 19 of its side walls 13, which are

  reinforced by the junction zones 18 forming the spacers 9 of the base 6.

  In fig.5 to fig.8, the container 3 is formed from a cardboard blank. It will nevertheless be understood that thanks to the arrangements provided by this embodiment aimed at dissociating the formation of the base 5 from the formation of the container 3 to facilitate the production of the latter, the container 3 can be obtained from any embodiment, without deviate from the general rules of the invention previously stated. The base 5 is formed from a blank 20 distinct from that for forming the container 3, which comprises a central zone 21 for the formation of the sole 7, bordered by lateral zones, such as 22, for the formation of the spacers 9. These lateral zones 22 are advantageously foldable on themselves, in order to adjust the dimension of the spacers 7 corresponding to the remote holding of the sole 7 beyond the seat bottom 8 of the container 3, depending on the use of the packaging for the composition of a high bouquet, as illustrated in fig.7, or a round bouquet, as illustrated in fig.8. Furthermore, the sole 7 has an opening 23 for the passage of the flower stalks, bordered by radial slots, such as 24, with a view to the formation of tongues 25 for tightening the flower stalks, to if necessary promote their retention during 'a use of packaging for the composition of a high bouquet. It will be noted that if necessary, this opening

  23 participates in the means for stable maintenance of the bouquet 1 by the container 3.

  Note that according to this embodiment, the seat bottom 8 of the container is capable of being formed by a bottom wall

  connecting the side walls 13 of the container 3 to each other at their base.

  In fig. 9, the packaging is provided with gripping means, in particular to facilitate its transport. These gripping means comprise a frame 26 equipped with a pair of straps such as 27, or

  similar, this frame 26 being attached by fitting onto the container 3.

  The latter 3 is flared and is threaded inside an opening 28 that includes the frame 26, until its natural abutment by its periphery at a distance determined according to the dimensions of the opening 28 of the frame 26 and

  corresponding peripheral dimensions of the container 3.

  It will be noted that the side walls 13 of the container 3 incidentally have a window 29 for visual access to the water bag 4, water, or similarly the nutritive liquid contained in the bag 4, which may contain a coloring agent and the film 2 may be transparent, for

  give the packaging a particular external appearance.

  Finally, it should be noted that the shape of the container 3 is independent of the arrangements relating to the present invention, and that the latter can have any shape without derogating

  to the general rules of the invention which have been set out.

Claims (10)

  1.- Packaging for floral composition of elements with cut stem forming a bouquet (1), of the type of packaging associating a rigid container (3) and a pocket (4) housed inside the container (3) for the receiving a nutritive liquid and the stems of the elements of the bouquet (1), said pocket (4) being formed from a waterproof film (2) introduced inside the container (3) so as to emerge therefrom, the container (3) being fitted with means for clamping the middle part of the film (2) to form a collar (11) at the top of the pocket (4) and at the base of the aerial part of the bouquet (1), the container (3) further comprising flaps (12) articulated at the upper edges of its side walls (13), characterized: in that it comprises means for holding the pocket (4) inside the container (3 ), the said holding means associating on the one hand a base (5,6) for supporting the pocket (4) at its base, this base (5,6) forming a double bottom of the container eur (3) disposed overhanging a seat bottom (8) of the latter, and on the other hand said flaps (12) which are subject to each other for their joint flap spontaneously irreversible towards the interior volume of the container (3 ), so that a separation space is - provided between the base (5,6) and the seat bottom (8) of the container (3) to receive the base of the pocket (4), and that the flap spontaneously irreversible flaps (12) towards the interior volume of the container (3), on the one hand delimits the outlet (23) of the latter (3) through which (23) emerge the rods of elements by constituting its means clamping, and on the other hand constitutes a means integral with the container (3) to delimit the volume   naturally occupied by the pocket (4).   2.- packaging for flower arrangement according to claim 1, characterized: in that the base (5,6) is composed of a sole (7) for receiving the pocket (4), which is carried by spacers (9 )   holding the sole (7) away from the seat bottom (8) of the container.   3.- Packaging for flower arrangement according to claim 2, characterized: in that the sole (7) of the base (5,6) is provided with an opening (23) for centering and holding the base of the pocket ( 4) capable of passing through it, said opening (4) being bordered by radial slots (24) forming tongues (25) for clamping the base of the   rods of the elements inserted inside the pocket (4).   4.- Packaging for floral arrangement according to any one of   Claims 2 and 3, characterized:   in that the container (3) being formed by folding a blank, the sole (7) comes from a bottom wall of the container (3) by folding towards the inside of the container from a middle zone (16,17 ) of the corresponding part of the blank, the latter (16,17) comprising junction zones (18) between the side walls (13) of the container (3) and said central zone (16,17), which form the spacers ( 9), the seat bottom (8) of the container (3) being formed by at least the lower edges (19) of the side walls (13) of the container (3), if not also by participating parts of said junction zones ( 18) which extend in the plane defined by said   stops (19) and which are extended by parts forming the spacers (9).   5.- Packaging for floral arrangement according to any one of   Claims 2 and 3, characterized:   in that the base (5) is formed by an element   (20) fitted inside the container (3).   6. A packaging for floral arrangement according to claim 5, characterized: in that the base (5) is formed by folding a blank (20) comprising a median zone (21) which constitutes the sole (7) and which is bordered by hinged flaps (22) forming the spacers (9), said flaps (22) bearing under the constraint of the weight of the pocket (4) against the internal face of the lower edges (19) of the side walls (13) of the container (3) delimiting its bottom seat (8).   7.- Packaging for floral arrangement according to any one of   previous claims, characterized:   in that the means for securing the flaps (12) therebetween are mainly constituted by an abutment of the flaps (12) successively against each other between concurrent orientations of the flaps (12) relative to the general plan of the outlet of the container (3) delimited by its side walls (13), to cause the shutters (12) to forcefully pass between an open position of the container (3) in which they are arranged overhanging the upper edges of the side walls ( 13) of the container (3) and a film clamping position (2) in which the flaps (12) are folded inwardly of the container (3), so that the spontaneous passage of the flaps (12) of the one to   the other of the said positions is prohibited.   8. A packaging for floral arrangement according to claim 7, characterized: in that the means for securing the flaps (12) between them comprise members (14) for joining the flaps (12) successively between them, which are foldable in bellows for taking support of the flaps (12) via their lateral edges and for   stiffen their retention in the clamping position.   9.- Packaging for floral arrangement according to any one of   previous claims, characterized:   in that the container (3) is equipped with means gripping.   10.- Packaging for flower arrangement according to claim 9, characterized: in that the means for gripping the container (3) comprise a frame (26) attached to the periphery of the container (3) and provided with at least one handle (27 ) for gripping, said frame (26) being laterally extended to move the grip (27) away