IL94989A - Packaging means for flowers - Google Patents

Description

o'ms nay ητ'τκ 'ρχοκ PACKAGING MEANS FOR FLOWERS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to packaging means for storing, shipping and displaying flowers, particularly composite flowers, such as daisys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flowers have long been produced for commercial markets . In order to prevent damage to the flower during packing and transportation, special packaging is required. At present, due to high rates of air freight, it is particularly important that the packaging not only provide protection, but should take up the minimum volume required. Furthermore, these packages also serve as display boxes where the flowers are displayed without removing them from the box.

Flowers which have no rays, such as roses, are easily collected in a bunch and wrapped for display and shipping. Composite flowers, having substantially planar heads with decorative ray florets extending radially from a central pedestal merging from the stem, however, are problematical in that they require a large surface area in the package so as not to be bruised.

There are known cartons for composite flowers including an outer box and an inner tray. The tray defines a plurality of apertures for receiving the stems of the flowers, the heads lying flat inside the tray with the stems extending outwardly therefrom. It is important that the flowers be packed sufficiently far apart that the florets of one do not reach the pedestal of the adjacent flower and do not bend against the carton. The filled tray is disposed within the outer box for shipping, which is closed to protect both flower and stem.

Known cartons of this type suffer from the disdvantage that the flowers are packaged flat and, therefore must be disposed relatively far from one another in order to prevent damage to the ray florets. This results in a waste of space and relatively high volume of individual cartons.

There is also shown in Israel Patent 57692 a tray for holding flowers including two lateral support members braced by a plurality of annular holder assemblies. Each holder assembly consists of two plastic rings, a large ring for holding the floral head and smaller ring for holding the stem. This tray is expensive to manufacture and has not been used commercially. This tray also suffers from the disadvantage that the rings themselves tend to damage the flowers held therein during transportation, leaving unsightly marks on the pedestal and ray florets.

Conventional trays are typically disposed in an outer carton for shipping. Two conventional trays are placed in a carton with the protruding stems facing each another. In order to permit intertwining of the stems, 94989/1 2a the carton is longer than the combined lengths of the trays. This leaves wasted space and adds to the shipping costs.

There is shown in European Patent 0 080 776 a flower holder which can be fastened as an insert into a cardboard box. The insert is built up of a number of oblong elements, each having a first narrow end, the bottom turned towards the bottom of the insert, and a second narrow end, the top, turned towards the top of the insert, which elements are arranged with their long sides adjoining each other and connected, by means of separating joints, with adjacent elements, and that each element has a number of openings for receiving flower stalks at intervals in its longitudinal direction. This insert serves to protect the flowers therein but due to its folded shape, it wastes a large volume within the box, resulting in a relatively small number of flowers being packagable therein. 94989 2 - 3 - SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a tray for composite flowers having ray florets which is compact, permits denser packing than known cartons and which protects the flower from damage.

There is thus provided in accordance with the present invention a tray for composite flowers including a bottom part containing flower cells comprising apertures for inserting and retaining the stems of each flower and walls surrounding at least two lateral sides of each of the apertures for supporting the ray florets of each flower substantially along the entire length of the floret.

According to a preferred embodiment, each aperture is elongate and is disposed off center towards the bottom of ' the tray (when held in an upright display position) so that the flower is angled upwardly while the stem is held down in the back of the tray.

The walls define cells which may be square, diamond shaped, round, hexagonal or any other desired shape which serves to support and protect the individual flower.

According to one embodiment, the cells define adjacent coupled cup-like receptacles in which the 94989/3 - 4 -flowers recline, the stems extending through holes in the bottoms of the cells .

There is further provided in accordance with the present invention a tray defining two levels of flower retaining cells, a lower level wherein the flowers are disposed with their florets in relatively closed orientation to provide dense packing, and an upper level wherein open flowers are disposed with their stems depending in the interstices between the flowers on the bottom level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1a is a plan view of a tray constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 1b and 1c are cross-sectional and front views of Fig. 1a; Fig. 1d is a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of the tray of Fig. 1a; Figs. 2a and 2b are schematic side and perspective views of a tray according to the present invention with Gerberas disposed therein; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a tray constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 94989 2 - 5 - Fig. 4 is a plan view of a tray constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a tray constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a tray constructed in accordance ith another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7a is a plan view of a tray constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7b is a cross-section of Fig. 7a; Fig. 8a is a plan view of a tray constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8b is a side section of Fig. 8a; Fig. 8c is an end sectional view of Fig. 8a; Fig. 8d is a detail view of a section of the tray of Fig. 8a with flowers inserted therein; Fig. 8e is a detail side view of the tray of Fig. 8a; Fig. 9a is a plan view of a tray constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9b is a side view of the tray of Fig. 9a; Fig. 9c is a side view of the tray of Fig. 9b in the display orientation; 94989 2 - 6 - Figs. 10a and 10b are respective plan and side sectional views' of a tray according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figs. 11a and 11b are respective plan and side sectional views of a tray constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 94989 2 - 7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to trays for holding, transporting and displaying substantially flat composite flowers, such as Gerberas. The tray comprises a flat bottom portion defining flower cells having apertures, into which the stems of the flowers are inserted, and walls disposed along at least two lateral sides of each aperture for supporting the ray florets of each flower and preventing damage from the adjacent flower pedestal or stem.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that the supporting walls are long enough to support the ray florets folded upward at the pedestal to form a cup shape. According to a preferred embodiment, the walls are substantially the length of, and preferably higher than, the florets when the flower 94989 2 - 8 -is seated in the tray so as to distribute the contact therealong and prevent damage at any one point .

While the apertures may be disposed anywhere within the cell, it is preferred that each aperture be disposed off center towards the bottom of the tray (when held in an upright display position). Since the flowers lean upwardly while being inserted into the tray and during shipping, it is preferred that there be more space in the cell above the stem than below the stem.

Referring now to Figs. 1a and 1b, there is shown a tray for packing and transportation of flat composite flowers constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention comprising a rectangular tray 10 divided by a plurality of partitions 12. Tray 10 and partitions 12 may be formed of cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic with air holes or any other suitable material. Partitions 12 may be integrally formed with the bottom portion of the tray, or may be separate therefrom, permitting their removal while the flowers remain in the tray.

A plurality of apertures 14 are provided in the bottom portion of the tray for receiving the stem of a flower. While, in the illustrated embodiment, the apertures are centered in the cells formed by the partitions 12, preferably apertures 14 are disposed off center towards the foot 16 of the tray. (See Figs. 1d and 2.) Most preferably, apertures 14 are elongate in shape for ease of insertion of the stems. - 9 - When flowers are inserted in the tray, their stems extend beneath the bottom of the tray. Hanging means 18 are preferably provided at the head of the tray to permit display of the flowers therein. When the tray is held in the upright position by means of hanging means 18, the stems extend beyond the foot of the tray. Thus, the flowers in the tray can easily be kept fresh both before and after transportation by hanging the tray above a water trough.

According to the embodiment of Fig. 1a, partitions 12 define a plurality of individual cells 20 for retaining and support of a single composite flower. It will be appreciated that, when the flower is placed in cell 20, the ray florets will be angled upwardly and supported substantially along the entire length thereof by the walls formed by partitions 12. In this fashion, the flower can be closed to the desired degree without folding the florets and creating marks thereon. It will be appreciated that the height of the walls is preferably the same as or longer that the length of the florets in the folded orientation so that the florets do not protrude from the walls and are supported all along their length, and so that one flower does not touch the adjacent flower.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the partitions 12 are not affixed to the bottom portion of the tray. Thus, the flowers are easily removed from the tray by removing 94989 / 2 - 1 0 -partitions 1 2 from the tray. Each flower can then be removed by withdrawing it from its aperture 1 4 .

According to an alternate embodiment, shown in side view in Fig. 1 d , the partitions 1 2 may be disposed at an angle relative to the bottom of the tray (rather than perpendicular thereto). This serves to reduce the amount the stem bends relative to the flower.

In Figs. 2a and 2b there is shown a schematic view of a section of a tray 22 wherein flowers 24 have been packed for transportation. Here it can be seen that the stem 27 or pedestal 26 of the flower rests within the aperture 28 of tray 22 , while the ray florets 30 are supported all along their length by the wall partitions 32 of the tray.

The particular shape of the cells 20 is not important except insofar is more flowers can be inserted into a tray of any given volume. Thus, the cells 20 may be square, as shown in Fig. 1 a , diamond shaped, as shown in Fig. 3 , hexagonal, as shown in Fig. 4 , round, as shown in Fig. 7 , or any other desired shape.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, while support all around the circumference of the flower is the ideal, trays wherein only two or three sides of the flower are supported (i.e., the sides of the flowers across the width of the tray, but not between flowers in the row above or below) are also operative according to the present invention. Two examples are shown in Figs. 5 and 6 , wherein a pair of 94989 2 - 1 1 -flowers are disposed in each cell 30 , each supported by three walls 32 . Preferably the flowers are disposed in apertures 34 sufficiently far from one another that the florets of one cannot reach the aperture for the stem of the adjacent flower.

Referring now to Figs. 7a and 7b, there is shown, in respective plan and side sectional views, a tray 40 constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, tray 40 defines a plurality of cup-like cells 42 , each defining an eccentric aperture 44 for receiving the stem of a flower. It is a particular feature of this embodiment that the angle at which the flower leans provides a smaller bend to the stem than in conventional packaging.

This embodiment is ideally formed from foamed polystyrene, such as by vacuum forming, or of paper or even of plastic formed with air holes or other means to prevent condensation within the package.

According to a preferred embodiment, score lines 46 or perforations are provided along the central axis of each row of cells (three rows only are illustrated with broken lines by way of example). This permits breaking the tray along each row in order to remove the flowers, rather than requiring the flowers to be removed in the reverse manner to which they were packed.

Referring now to Figs. 8a , 8b and 8c , there is shown a tray 50 which is particularly suited for both transportation and display. Tray 50 comprises a - 12 - two-level tray, the lower level comprising a plurality of cup-shaped cells 52, each substantially identical to those in the tray of Fig. 7a, into which substantially closed composite flowers may be packed. This provides the most compact, efficient arrangement for transportation, but does not permit viewing of the flowers in the tray.

The upper level comprises a plurality of smaller flower supports 54. Supports 54 are disposed in the interstices of cup-shaped cells 52 and each includes a stem receiving aperture 56. It is a particular feature of this embodiment that flowers packed in supports 54 are transported in the open, flat orientation, preferably with the supports sufficiently far apart that the florets of one flower do not reach the pedestal of the adjacent flower.

Packing of flowers in this embodiment can be seen in Figs. 8d and 8e which show schematic plan and side sectional views of a portion of a tray with flowers therein.

Referring now to Figs. 9a and 9b there is shown another embodiment of the present invention designed to enhance display of the flowers when the tray reaches its destination. In this embodiment, tray 60 is folded between each row of apertures to define rows of flower cells 61 as described above. A cover 63 may be provided to retain the tray in the folded orientation. The advantage of this embodiment is that, when display - 13 - is desired, it is merely necessary to remove cover 63 and pull the ends of the tray away from one another, thereby straightening the folds and resulting in a flat tray holding flowers at the required distance to prevent damage, as shown in Fig. 9c.

Figs. 10a and 10b illustrate an alternate embodiment of a tray 65 which is folded for transportation and unfolded for display. Tray 65 is folded such that each flower can lie with its stem virtually unbent during transportation.

Figs. 11a and 11b show an alternate folded embodiment defining two layers of flowers. This embodiment combines the advantages of the embodiments of Figs. 8a and 9a. As seen, the bottom 64 of tray 62* is corrugated and includes two flower retaining surfaces. The lower layer defines plant retaining cells 66 which hold the flowers in a closed orientation. The upper surfaces 68 retain additional flowers in the flat, open orientation. For display of all the flowers, the tray is expanded by pulling it flat.

As can be seen, upper surfaces 68 hold one less flower (at the bottom) than lower surfaces 66. This is because the open flower disposed in the aperture on upper surface 68 must not touch the edge of the tray so as not to be damaged. Furthermore, in this particular configuration, the stems of the open flowers all fit neatly into the channels 69 defined between the cells 66. - 14 - In all the above embodiments, the entire tray has been illustrated as divided into flower receiving cells. Utilizing these embodiments, it is possible to increase the number of flowers in a given volume from 33 to 100% and to lower the number of damaged flowers. The greater the number of partitions around the flower, i.e.,. the more sides of the flower are supported in the closed orientation, the more flowers can be inserted in the tray. It will be appreciated that it is also possible to provide individual cells in only a portion of the tray, if desired.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to what has been shown and described hereinabove by way of example. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims which follow. 94989/4 - 15 -

Claims (21)

1. A tray for packing, transporting and displaying substantially flat composite flowers comprising: a substantially flat bottom portion including apertures for inserting and retaining the stems of each flower, each aperture being preferably disposed off center towards the bottom of the tray; and partitions surrounding at least two sides of each aperture for supporting the ray florets of a flower inserted in the aperture, the ray florets being held in a relatively closed orientation and being protected substantially along their entire length, each said partition arranged to separate and preferably support two adjacent flowers.

2. A tray according to claim 1 and wherein said partitions substantially surround each aperture and define a plurality of individual flower receiving cells .

3. A tray according to claim 1 and wherein said partitions substantially surround two or more apertures to define a plurality of flower receiving cells.

4. A tray according to claims 2 and 3 and wherein said cells are square. 94989/4 - 16 -

5. A tray according to claims 2 and 3 and wherein said cells are diamond shaped.

6. A tray according to claims 2 and 3 and wherein said cells are hexagonal.

7. A tray according to claims 2 and 3 and wherein said cells are round.

8. A tray according to claims 2 and 3 and wherein said cells define adjacent coupled cup-like receptacles in which the flowers recline, the stems extending through eccentrically disposed apertures in the bottoms of the cells.

9. A tray according to claim 8 and wherein said cup-like receptacles are round or oval in shape.

10. A tray according to any of the preceding claims and wherein the bottom portion of the tray is corrugated so as to expand upon pulling.

11. A tray according to any of the preceding claims and wherein the apertures are elongate.

12. A tray according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said partitions are substantially perpendicular to said bottom portion. 94989/5 - 17 -

13. A tray for packing, displaying and transporting composite flowers for increased volume utilization comprising an integral unit defining a plurality of adjacent cup-like cells having substantially vertical walls and U-shaped bottoms, each cell defining an aperture, preferably eccentrically disposed, in the bottom thereof for receiving the stem of a flower.

14. A tray according to claims 1 and 13 and wherein frangible means are provided along the longitudinal axis of each row of cells.

15. A tray according to claim 13 and further comprising a plurality of flower supports positioned in a plane above and parallel to the cup-like cells and in the interstices between and above said cells, the supports being shaped to retain a composite flower in the flat, open orientation.

16. A tray according to claim 13 and wherein said cup-like cells are oval in shape.

17. A tray according to claim 3 and further comprising a second, elevated level of flower retaining cells positioned on said partitions, wherein open flowers can be disposed with their stems depending in the interstices between and above the partitions in said bottom portion. 94989/4 - 18 -

18. A tray according to claim 17 and wherein the cells of the lower level are cup-shaped cells for supporting the florets of the flowers all around the circumference thereof .

19. A tray according to claim 17 and wherein the bottom portion of the tray is corrugated to define the two levels, the lower level defining cells for substantially closed flowers and the upper level defining supports for flowers in the flat open orientation.

20. A tray substantially as shown and described hereinabove or as illustrated in any of the drawings.

21. An arrangement for packing and transporting substantially flat composite flowers comprising: at least two flower retaining trays; and an outer container in which the packed trays are seated; each of said trays comprising: a bottom portion including elongate, eccentrically disposed apertures for inserting and retaining the stems of each flower; and partitions substantially surrounding each aperture for supporting the ray florets of a flower inserted in the aperture, the ray florets being held in a relatively closed orientation and being protected substantially along their entire length, each of said 94989/1 - 19 -partitions being arranged to support two adjacent flowers. Agent for Applicant