NL2012153C2

NL2012153C2 - Potted plant packed in a package, potted plant package and blank designed to form such a package.

Info

Publication number: NL2012153C2
Application number: NL2012153A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Frands Norgaard Jepsen
Original assignee: Knud Jepsen As
Priority date: 2014-01-27
Filing date: 2014-01-27
Publication date: 2015-07-29

Description

Title Potted plant packed in a package, potted plant package and blank designed to form such a package

Description

The current application relates, according to a first aspect thereof, to a living potted plant, packed in a potted plant package. According to the invention, a potted plant may be packed in a package individually. The potted plant may be inserted directly in the package in the container wherein it has been grown e.g. plastic pot or with the container inserted in a ceramic decorative flowerpot. It may also be possible that multiple plants are packed in one package.

It is known for potted plants to be presented in supermarkets, for example, packed in a transparent, flexible foil embodied as a tapering sleeve which is open at the bottom and the top to allow the packed plant to be supplied with fresh air. The sleeve is dimensioned such that the lower part of the sleeve snuggly encloses the pot of the potted plant, while the upper part of the sleeve provides sufficient space for the branches and the leaves of the plant. The pot provides rigidity for the potted plant to be manipulated by persons and to be shelved for storage and support. Usually, when potted plants are stored in a box, for example, 6 or 12 pots are each caught in a circular hole provided in a cardboard tray to prevent displacement of the potted plants during transport, which would damage the plant. A disadvantage of the current way of packing potted plants is that the potted plants are vulnerable to damage, for example due to environmental circumstances to which the plants can be exposed during storage, transport and handling. Such environmental circumstances include (sudden) temperature differences but also relatively high concentrations of ethylene when the potted plants, in a supermarket, are stored near natural sources of ethylene, like fruit, e.g. apples, pears and citrus fruit, and close to bananas to which ethylene is added to the fruit to support a more rapid maturing of the fruit. Other sources of ethylene can be exhaust from combustion engines, cigarette smoke and emissions from coniferous decorative greenery (e.g. spruce and pine).

The invention, according to the first aspect, thus aims to provide a potted plant packed in a potted plant package that is less vulnerable for damage due to environmental circumstances than if the same potted plant would be packed in the known potted plant package. This goal is met by the current invention in that the potted plant package at least substantially completely encloses the potted plant. The term “at least substantially completely enclose” as used herein is that the package surrounds the potted plant at all sides, including above and underneath the potted plant. The enclosure preferably is a substantially closed enclosure. However, one or more openings are preferably present in the package to enable fresh air to enter the package. Because the package at least substantially completely encloses the potted plant, there will be a delay of environmental (harmful) threads entering the package. This delay provides protection against environmental changes like exposure to sudden temperature changes or percipitation and provides the possibility to protect the potted plant against other hazardous environmental circumstances from outside the package, as will discussed further herein. It is to be understood, that a package with a bottom wall with a circular recess through which the lower part of a pot of a potted plant extends, in use, is intended to be within the scope of the current invention, since the bottom or lower part of the pot replaces the recessed bottom wall of the package and can thus replace the features that would otherwise have been provided by the bottom wall of the package and would have provided the properties to meet the object of the current invention. I.e. the bottom of the pot can is be part of the enclosure of the potted plant and can, in such a configuration, be considered as part of the package.

The invention is in particular related to potted plants and herbs such as, but not limited to plants of the following genera: Kalanchoe, Phaelaenopsis, Anthurium, Rosa, Chrysanthemum, Hyacinthus, Ficus, Hydrangea, Dracaena, Lilium, Cyclamen, Zanthedescia, Guzmania, Hedera, Dendrobium, Euphorbia, Begonia, Narcissus, Rhododendron, Campanula, Zamioculcas, Hippeastrum, Gerbera, Ocimum (basil), Mentha, Rosmarinus, Oreganum, Thymus, Coriandrum, Petroselinum, Allium, Anethum, Salvia, and Artemesia. However the invention is not limited to potted plants of these genera. Plants of another genus may also be packed according the first aspect of the invention as well as interspecific hybrids of above mentioned genera and intergeneric hybrids of above mentioned genera, but not limited to plants of the above mentioned genera.

In a preferred embodiment, the package is made from a substantially shape retaining material. Substantially shape retaining material relates to materials that are sufficiently rigid to maintain the shape of the package in the absence of exposure to unexpected high forces to the package. To that end, cardboard, especially water repellent cardboard can be a material that meets the requirement of shape retainability as meant herein. Such a package helps to protect the packed potted plant against impact or other physical environmental influences during transport or handling of the potted plants.

According to a second aspect, the current invention relates to a potted plat package designed to be able to provide a potted plant packed in such a potted plant package, according to the first aspect of the invention, in particular intended for packing a potted plant of the genus Kananchoe. As discussed with respect to the first aspect, a transparent, flexible foil embodied as a tapering sleeve which is open at both ends, is known as a potted plant package, together with the disadvantages of such a package. To solve the problem of the vulnerability to environments that can be hazardous to potted plants, the current invention provides a substantially shape retaining package designed for packing a potted plant according to the first aspect, the packaging comprising an upright wall, formed by at least three upright wall parts, and a bottom wall and a top wall, which, in use, together form an at least substantially closed package, wherein at least one of the at least three upright wall parts and/or the top wall is at least partly made of a transparent material. The term substantially closed is to be interpreted herein as closed, but with one or more vent openings to allow fresh air to enter the package. This means that the vent opening(s) preferably have a (total) surface that is less than 15 %, further preferably less than 10% and more preferably less than 7.5%, 5% or 3 % of the total surface of the top, side and bottom walls. The vent opening could, still according to the invention, even be between 15 end 25% of the total surface of the walls, however, in that case some, but possibly not all of the claimed advantages can be reached. Protection against ethylene, for example, will decrease when the vent opening increases. The feature that the package is substantially shape retaining, or is made from a substantially shape retaining material, provides a potted plant packed in the package protection against damage resulting from rough handling by personnel or other possible physical impacts. The feature that the package has an upright wall, a bottom wall and a top wall and is substantially closed allows potted plants packed in such package to be stacked on top of each other without additional provisions. The feature that the package is substantially closed provides protection against relatively rapid introduction in the package of gasses that are hazardous for a potted plant packed in the package or against exposure of a packed plant to sudden changes in temperature, for example when moved from inside a store to an outdoor environment. The transparent material in the upright and/or the top wall allows light to enter that package and allows the plant to be presented to potential buyers. Thus, the package offers many advantages above known packages when used as a potted plant package, without taking away a feature that is important for many plants, the possibility to expose the potted plant to daylight. Thus, the package according to the invention meets the objective of the second aspect of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the package, except for the transparent material, is at least substantially made of cardboard. Cardboard is a well known packaging material which, at least when dry, provides the shape retaining properties required for the application of packing plants. Cardboard is also suitable to be easily folded from a blank to a package and many transparent materials can be adhered to cardboard. Of course, the package may be made of an alternative material, like plastic sheet or another suitable material.

The number of upright wall parts preferably amount four. Packages with four wall parts generally have a rectangular or square cross section, which is advantageous for storage and handling. A package according to the invention preferably comprises at least one weakened line designed to allow the package to be torn open along the weakened line. This allows the package to be opened easily at a well defined location which makes it easy to take out the potted plant without unnecessarily damaging the plant.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one weakened line extends upwards or downwards along at least part of an upright wall part. This allows the package to be torn open over part of, or the entire height of, the package, making it easy to access the plant after the package is torn open along the weakened line.

When the weakened line coincides with a fold line between two neighbouring upright wall parts, said weakened line can be used as a folding line for folding the package from a blank as a tear line for tearing the package open to take out the plant.

If two weakened lines extend at least partially converging to one another it is possible to tear away the material between the two weakened lines with one move. As a result part of a wall part, or nearly the entire wall part, can be torn away to provide easy access to the plant in the package.

In a preferred embodiment the two weakened lines extend to an engagement opening designed to allow introduction of a user’s finger therein, to engage the package to tear the package open along the weakened lines. The engagement opening can at the same time function as an opening through which fresh air can be introduced in the package in a natural way, to refresh the air inside the package when in the closed state.

The engagement opening can be closed by means of a closing element e.g. adhesive tape or adhesive paper. It will not be possible to open and close the engagement opening without breaking the closing element, thus ensuring the end consumer the original product e.g. with longevity guarantee as printed on the closing element.

It is preferable when the at least three upright wall parts, at least in a state of a completed package, are joint together to form a sleeve that is peripherally closed. To that end, one of the upright wall parts can have a flap that, in use, is adhered to the neighbouring wall parts.

In a preferred embodiment the top wall is joined to one of the upright wall parts by means of a fold line. This provides the possibility to pivot the top wall with respect to the respective upright wall part. When the package is composed from a blank, the top wall can be left open to be able to introduce a potted plant in the package. Then the top wall can be pivoted downwards to close the package. The top wall can be maintained in the closed position by means of a sticker that is adhered to the top wall and to one of the upright wall parts not being the wall part to which the top wall is pivotably joined, preferably the upright wall part that is opposite to the pivot joint.

Possibly the transparent material extends over part of the upright wall part that is joined to the top wall by means of the fold line, and part of the top wall. When the transparent material extends over as well the upright wall as the top wall, a potted plant in the package can be presented to the public in an attractive way. Because, in this preferred embodiment, the transparent material extends over two joined adjacent walls, it is possible to provide the visibility with only one sheet of transparent material.

In a preferred embodiment the top wall has a peripheral edge, which, at one or more peripheral edge parts that are not joined to an upright wall part by means of a fold line, is provided with at least one top wall flap that is pivotably connected to the top wall, which, in the closed position of the package engages an upright wall part or a corresponding side wall flap provided at the respective upright wall part. Such an embodiment enhances the closed state and/or the shape retainability of the package.

In a preferred embodiment the bottom wall, at least in the state of a completed package, is formed by mutually engaging bottom flaps that are pivotably connected to the bottom edge of respective upright wall parts. As such, it is easy to fold a blank into a package. The mutually engaging bottom flaps can enhance the rigidity of the package especially if bottom flaps are adhered to each other. The skilled person knows how to design the bottom flaps in such a way that a bottom folded therefrom has enhanced carrying properties to prevent a potted plant to fall down the bottom of the package.

Preferably a top wall surface defined by the top wall is at least as big, and preferably bigger, than a bottom wall surface defined by the bottom wall. This results in a tapered package which conform the shape of an average potted plant. The degree of inclination can vary and can be adapted to the type of plant to be packed, especially the width of the plant related to the pot.

The current invention also is related to a potted plant with growing medium/substrate typically contained in plastic pot/container, and a package according to the second aspect of the current invention. Preferably the combination comprises an ethylene absorption agent received in the package. This provides the possibility to keep away from the plant any ethylene which enters the package, for example when stored near natural sources of ethylene, like fruit, e.g. apples, pears and citrus fruit, and close to bananas to which ethylene is added to the fruit to support a more rapid maturing of the fruit. Other sources of ethylene can be exhaust from combustion engines, cigarette smoke and emissions from coniferous decorative greenery (e.g. spruce and pine). Of course other items, like a water absorption agent to reduce the risk of fungal infections in the plant contained in the package, and/or information carriers, for example, can be inserted in the package.

The current invention is further related to a blank designed to make a package according to the second aspect of the current invention. The skilled person will know how to design a blank to make such a package.

Finally the current invention relates to a tray designed to receive and support a plurality of potted plant packages according to the second aspect of the invention, comprising a support plane provided with recesses that are congruent with a cross section of a potted plant package and with dimensions that are slightly bigger that that of the bottom wall of the plant package, such that, when a plant package is received in a recess, the bottom wall will pass the recess and edges of the recess will engage the respective side panels of the plant package. The tray provides an easy and stable support for plant packages to be transported, stored and/or presented in a supermarket or other points of sale.

Preferably the tray further comprises an upright sidewall extending downwards from the support plane in such a manner that the height of the side wall matches with the distance between the support plane and a bottom of a plant package received in the recess.

The invention will now be described in more detail and referring to the accompanying drawings enclosing a preferred embodiment of the current invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a package according to the current invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective front view of the package of figure 1 including a potted plant;

Figure 3 is a perspective rear view of the package of figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a blank designed to be formed to a package according to figures 1-3; and

Figure 5 is a perspective side view on a tray with a plant package according to the invention.

Now looking at figure 1, an empty package 1, in a partly opened state, is shown in a perspective view. Package 1 comprises a generally trapezoidal front panel 2 having a recess 3 which is covered by part of a transparent sheet 4. The package 1 further comprises two generally trapezoidal side panels 5, 6 and a generally trapezoidal rear panel 7. Panels 5, 6 and 7 form the side and rear walls respectively of the package. In this exemplary embodiment the panels 2, 5, 6, 7 each have a lower edge that is 10 cm broad and an upper edge that is 13,5 cm broad. The length of said panels 2, 5, 6, 7 amount 27 cm. however, different dimensions can be used for different applications. The panels 2, 5, 6, 7 might be rectangular. Front panel 2, together with the parts of transparent sheet 4 filling recess 3 forms the front wall of the package. Package 1 further has a generally square top panel 8 (in this exemplary embodiment of 13,5 x 13,5 cm) having a recess 9 that is filled with part of the transparent sheet 4 that extends from front panel 2 to top panel 8. Top panel 8 together with part of the transparent sheet 4 that fills recess 9 forms the top wall of the package 1. Side wall flaps 10, 11 (of which only flap 11 is shown in figure 1) are joined to the upper edges of side panels 5, 6 respectively. Top wall flaps 12, 13, 14 are joined to edges of the top panel 8. Further package 1 has a bottom (10 x 10 cm) (not shown in figure 1) which is assembled by flaps that are connected to the bottom ends of panels 2, 5, 6 and 7, respectively and which are shown in figure 4.

Figure 2 shows package 1 in a closed state and including a potted plant, comprising a pot 15 surrounding growing medium/substrate 16 and a plant 17. An ethylene absorption agent 26 is enclosed in the package 1 to absorb possible ethylene gas entered in the package through a vent opening (not shown).

Figure 3 shows the package 1 of figure 1 in a respective rear view. Elements are referred to with the same reference numbers as in figure 1, as far as visible. Also visible in figure 3 is that rear panel 7 comprises a relatively small recess 18 which functions as well as an engagement opening for a user’s finger as well as a vent hole. A bottom flap 25 is visible through recess 18. Starting at upper corners of recess 18, two perforated lines 19, 20, forming weakened lines, extend to the respective side edges of flap 7 and further along the side edges of flap 7 to the top of package 1. This provides the possibility to easily tear away the part of panel 7 that is defined by recess 18, tear lines 19, 20 and the upper edge of panel 7 for good accessibility of a plant. A user who bought the plant can than get the plant out of package 1 with a minimum risk of damaging the plant.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of a blank T from which package 1 in figures 1-3 has been made. Again, the same elements are identified with the same reference numbers as in the former figures. Dotted lines shown folding lines along which the blank 1’ is to be folded to form the package. The folding lines can be made in way known in the art, for example by creasing or otherwise. Also shown in figure 4 is an adhering flap 21 which, after folding the package, will be adhered to panel 6 at the opposite side of the blank T. Also shown in figure 4 are bottom flaps 22-25 that can be folded to engage each other for forming a supporting bottom wall that is able to support the weight of a potted plant in the package to be formed.

Now looking at the package 1 again and especially figure 2, the advantages of a package according to the invention, especially of the package 1 will now be discussed. Pot 15 with the growing medium/substrate 16 and plant 17 is supported by the bottom of the package 1 which is assembled by the mutually engaging bottom flaps 22-25 (not shown individually in figure 2). Further, because of the corresponding shapes of pot 15 and the lower part of package 1, the side wall parts of package 1 assist in supporting pot 15 and in keeping pot 15 in position. Because the front, side and rear panels, 2, 5, 6, 7 respectively extend converging from the bottom to the top, relatively much space is provided for the plant 17, which has a larger cross section surface than the pot 15, and the leaves of which could be vulnerable to being damaged if the package 1 would be made (too) narrow. The plant 17 is exposed through the window in an attractive way and is presented to potential buyers through transparent sheet 4 which covers the window provided by recesses 3 and 9 of the front panel 2 and top panel 8, respectively. Plant 17 is protected from environmental hazards, for example rapid temperature changes and ethylene, because package 1 is substantially closed. Recess 18 (see figure 3), in this exemplary embodiment of 1,5 cm x 3,0 cm, amounts less than 3% of the total surface of the package 1, provides a vent hole to refresh the air onto package 1. It will be clear to the skilled person that plant 17 will not be exposed to rapid temperature changes in the environment. The temperature will change relatively slow because of the relatively small recess 18. Recess 18 allows ethylene to enter the package, but ethylene absorption agent 26 will absorb most of the ethylene before the ethylene can affect plant 17. Because of the shape retaining properties of the cardboard it is possible to stack a number of packages 1 on top of each other for efficient storage and transportation. Top wall flaps 12, 13 project into the package, in the closed position of the package 1 and engage sidewall flaps 10, 11 respectively. Top wall flap 14 extends to the outside of the package, as a result of which the respective edge of the top panel 8 rests on the upper edge of rear panel 7 to provide a well supporting top surface of package 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a tray 30 with a support plane 31 provided with recesses 32, in one of which a plant package 1 according to the current invention is received. The plant package 1 extends through the recess 32 in such a manner that the bottom wall of the plant package 1 will touch a base surface at which the tray 30 with the package 1 will be placed. The plant package 1 snugly fits in the recess, the edges of the recess 32 supporting the plant packagel

The invention is disclosed in the accompanying figures and the above description by way of one example of an embodiment only. It will, however, be understood by the skilled person that many changes can be made to the exemplary embodiment and even different packages can be made within the scope of protection of the current invention, which is defined by the claims defined herein. As mentioned earlier, the dimensions and form of the package can be different to adapt the package to the characteristics of a potted plant to be packed. Although cardboard is mentions as the shape retaining material, other suitable materials may be used. The window may extend over only one, or over different panels and may be divided in two or more windows, for example to increase rigidity of the package.

Claims

Potted pot plant packed in a pot plant package, characterized in that the package encloses the potted pot plant at least substantially completely, in particular a pot plant such as, but not limited to, a pot plant of the crop Kalanchoe, Phaelaenopsis, Anthurium, Rosa Chrysanthemum, Hyacinthus, Ficus, Hydrangea, Dracaena, Lilium, Cyclamen, Zanthedescia, Guzmania, Hedera, Dendrobium, Euphorbia, Begonia, Narcissus, Rhododendron, Campanula, Zamioculcas, Hippeastrum, Gerbera, Ocimum (basil) marentum, Mentha, Rosegarum, Mentha Thymus, Coriandrum, Petroselinum, Allium, Anethum, Salvia, or Artemesia ..

A pot plant packaged in a pot plant package according to claim 1, wherein the package is made of a substantially form-retaining material.

3. A substantially form-retaining package adapted for packaging a potted plant, the package comprising an upright wall formed by at least three upright wall parts, and a bottom wall and an upper wall which together form an at least at least substantially closed package, wherein at least one of the at least three upright side wall parts and / or the top wall is at least partly made of a transparent material.

A package according to claim 3, wherein the package, with the exception of the transparent material, is at least substantially made of cardboard.

5. Packaging as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the number of upright wall parts is four.

A package according to one or more of claims 3 to 5, comprising at least one line of weakness adapted to tear open the package along the line of weakness.

A package according to claim 6, wherein the at least one weakening line extends upwards or downwards over at least a part of an upright wall part.

A package according to claim 7, wherein the weakening line coincides with a folding line between two adjacent upright wall parts.

9. Packaging as claimed in one or more of the claims 6 to 8, wherein two lines of weakening extend towards each other over at least partially convergingly.

10. Package as claimed in claim 9, wherein the two lines of weakening extend to an engagement opening which is adapted to be able to insert a finger of a user into the package, in order to engage the package for tearing the package along the lines of weakening .

A package according to claim 10, wherein the engagement opening is closed by means of a removable closing element.

12. Packaging as claimed in one or more of the claims 3-11, wherein the at least three upright wall parts are connected to each other, at least in a state thereof raised as a package, and thereby form a sleeve closed all round.

Packaging according to one or more of claims 3 to 12, wherein the top wall is connected to one of the upright wall parts by means of a folding line.

14. Packaging as claimed in claim 13, wherein the transparent material extends over a part of the upright wall part connected to the top wall by means of the fold line and a part of the top wall.

15. Package as claimed in claim 13 and / or 14, wherein the top wall has a peripheral edge which is provided with at least one top wall flap which is pivotally connected to the top wall and which is closed when it is connected to one or more of peripheral edge parts not connected to an upright wall part via the fold line. of the package engages a standing wall part or a side wall valve provided corresponding to the relevant standing wall part.

16. Packaging as claimed in one or more of the claims 3-15, wherein the bottom wall, at least in a state built up as packaging, is formed by bottom flaps pivotally connected to the respective upright wall parts.

A package according to any one of claims 3 to 16, wherein an upper wall surface defined by the upper wall is at least as large as, preferably, larger than, a bottom wall surface defined by the bottom wall.

A package according to claim 17, wherein the at least three wall parts extend from the top wall to the bottom wall in a tapered manner.

Combination of a pot plant with a root ball and a package according to one or more of claims 2 to 18.

The combination according to claim 19, further comprising an ethylene absorbent included in the package.

A blank designed for manufacturing a package according to one or more of claims 3 to 18.

A tray designed to receive a plurality of pot plant packages according to one or more of claims 3 to 18, comprising a bearing surface provided with recesses that are congruent with a cross-section of a pot plant package and with dimensions that are slightly larger than those of the bottom wall of the plant package, so that when a plant package is received in a recess, the bottom wall will pass through the recess and edges of the recess will engage the respective side panels of the plant package.

The tray of claim 22, further comprising an upright side wall extending downwardly from the support surface, such that the height of the side wall corresponds to the distance between the support surface and a bottom of a plant package received in the recess.