NL2012279C2

NL2012279C2 - Container for holding flowers or plants, assembly of container with accessory, accessory, method for fixating.

Info

Publication number: NL2012279C2
Application number: NL2012279A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Ruud Heijkant; Janus Adriaan Willem Pagter
Original assignee: Pagter & Partners Int Bv
Priority date: 2014-02-17
Filing date: 2014-02-17
Publication date: 2015-08-25
Also published as: WO2015122774A1

Abstract

Nestable cut flower container (1) for holding flowers, comprising a base (2) and four side walls (3) extending upward from the base, wherein each side wall comprises an upper wall part (4) and a lower wall part (5), wherein between at least a part of an upper wall part and at least a part of a corresponding lower wall part a shoulder (6) is present extending outwardly from the said part of the lower wall part to the said part of the upper wall part such that the said part of the upper wall part is offset outwardly with respect to the said part of the lower wall part, wherein the shoulder is provided with a cooperating element (12) for cooperating with an accessory to be supported on the shoulder to fixate the accessory to the shoulder.

Description

Title: Container for holding flowers or plants, assembly of container with accessory, accessory, method for fixating

The invention relates to a container for holding flowers or plants.

Such containers are known, and widely used in the flowers- and plant industry, for example for transporting, storing, displaying flowers or plants. The containers are usually nestable to provide for reduced volume when empty. A typical container is described in patent publication NL 1009100. The container described comprises a base and four side walls extending upward from the base. Each side wall comprises an upper wall part, also known as flange, and a lower wall part, also known as wall.

Between a part of the flange and a corresponding part of the wall a shoulder may be present extending outwardly from the wall to the flange such that the flange is offset outwardly with respect to the wall. The container typically is a nestable container, such that, when empty, the containers can be nested into each other and transported. Such a container is relatively easy to use, and can be manufactured in a rather cost efficient way. Usually, the container is a plastic injection moulded container.

As described in NL 1009100 the shoulder thus provided can be used for supporting a rectangular presentation collar. Typically, such a presentation collar is used in stores or other locations to display the flowers in the container. The presentation collar is usually printed on one side, e.g. with the name and/or logo of the store or location offering the flowers for sale. The store personnel or flower packers usually fold the presentation collar themselves and place the presentation collar inside the container. The consumer in the store is invited to serve himself and to take out the desired flowers himself out of the container. However, in practice, it is often noticed that the presentation collar does not fit very well in the container and/or on the shoulder. It is noted that the presentation collar may be folded wrongly and/or may be positioned wrongly in the container. Also, it is noted that the presentation collar is often accidentally pulled out of the container when the customer takes his flowers out of the container. Further, the presentation collar is typically of a corrugated cardboard, which may have inferior printing quality and/or may become folded accidentally at additional or wrong positions during use thereby reducing the presentation look. Also, there may be other accessories that may be placed in the inside of the container.

The object of the invention is to provide for a container that obviates at least one of the above mentioned draw backs. In particular, there is a need for improving the existing container to fixate an accessory to the container, while at least maintaining ease of use and cost effective manufacturing.

Thereto, the invention provides for a nestable container according to claim 1.

By providing a cooperating element on a shoulder that is arranged for connecting the accessory for fixating the accessory to the shoulder, the accessory can firmly be positioned on the shoulder of the container. For example, accidental removing or accidental wrinkling of e.g. a cardboard can then be reduced. Also, by firmly positioning the accessory on the shoulder, the chance of misplacement of the accessory may be reduced.

Between at least a segment of an upper wall part and at least a segment of a lower wall part a shoulder is present, extending between the said two segments. Advantageously, the said two segments of the lower wall part and the upper wall part are corresponding such that the shoulder connects both corresponding segments. Also, the shoulder can be continuously extending over a side wall, or can be discontinuously extending over a side wall, or can extend over a limited length of the side wall. Also, the shoulder can be provided on a single side wall, or multiple side walls can be provided with a shoulder. When multiple side walls are provided with a shoulder, the shoulders can abut against each other in the corners of the container, or each of the shoulders can extend over a certain segment length of its respective side wall.

By providing the cooperating elements smaller than the depth of the shoulder, some depth of the shoulder remains over which material is provided. The remaining depth, containing material, can provide e.g. for stiffness and/or strength and/or can provide for a surface on which the accessory can be supported. The depth of the shoulder typically is the distance between the upper wall part and the lower wall part of the side wall at shoulder height. The depth of the shoulder typically is rather small, usually 15 mm or less, although by providing a larger shoulder depth, strength is increased, while an inner space of the container may be reduced. In another embodiment, the shoulder may extend further inwardly from the side wall towards an inner space of the container, to provide e.g. for additional depth of the shoulder.

The length of the cooperating element can be equal to or less than a length of the shoulder. The cooperating element can for example extend over the whole length of the shoulder or can extend over a certain length of the shoulder. Also, more than one cooperating element can be provided on a single shoulder. When multiple shoulders are present on the container, at least one shoulder is provided with a cooperating element. Advantageously, two shoulders, preferably two opposite shoulders, are provided with cooperating elements for reasons of symmetry and improved nestability. Also, typically for a commercial presentation in e.g. a store, the container is positioned such that a single side wall is the view side of the container. So, in principle, it may be sufficient to provide a single shoulder with one or more cooperating elements on it to fixate accessories thereto.

When providing for example two shoulders on the container, a single accessory, such as a presentation collar, that is to be positioned on the inner side of the container can thus be supported by the two shoulders by the at least one cooperating element on the shoulders. Alternatively, to each cooperating element a, e.g. relatively small, accessory can be connected to firmly couple the accessory to the shoulder, such that multiple accessories can be connected to the shoulders of the container.

In a preferred embodiment, the cooperating element is arranged for cooperation with a connection element on the accessory. By cooperation of the cooperating element with the connection element a more firm coupling between the shoulder and the accessory can be obtained, such that the chance on misalignment, accidental removal, accidental wrinkling or pulling out etc. may be reduced further. The cooperating element and the connection element can, when connected, provide for e.g. a pin/groove connection, or a snap joint connection, or a hooking connection, or a clamping connection or any other type of connection. The coupling between the cooperating element and the connection element can e.g. be a snap finger that “clicks” in an opening, or a protrusion that fits in an opening, or clamping walls that clampingly fit around the other element, etc. Many variants are possible.

The connection element on the accessory may be re-usable, typically when the accessory itself is re-usable as well, e.g. when the accessory is made from plastics or from a quality cardboard. The connection between the cooperating element and the connection element is then a reusable connection that can be done and undone a certain number of times. Alternatively, the connection element can be a throw-away connection element, e.g. when the accessory is a throw-away accessory for single use or for using a limited times. Then, for example, the connection element can be arranged such that, when undoing the coupling between connection element and the cooperating element, the connection element can be broken.

The containers are re-usable containers which, when empty, are nested into each other and then can be transported in a more space saving and thus cost effective manner. Reducing the nesting height is therefore under ongoing attention.

Advantageously, the cooperating elements on the shoulders are at predetermined positions which preferably correspond to the positions of the connection elements on the accessory. This way positioning of the accessory on the shoulders may be facilitated.

In an advantageous embodiment, guide elements are provided on the container to guide the accessory towards the cooperating elements. Advantageously, the guide elements are provided on the shoulders. The guide element can be a pin, or a rib, or a groove. For example, the guide element can be a pin arranged in the corner of the shoulders, behind which an accessory can be guided. Then, in addition, the guide element also obtains that the accessory can be kept in the corner of the container.

The invention further relates to an assembly of a container and at least one accessory. The accessory can for example be a presentation collar, or a partition board, or a container interior, or a presentation card holder, like for instance: flower dividers, containers extensions, sign holders, water containers, etc. For example, when the accessory is a presentation card holder, such as a price card, multiple accessories may be positioned on the shoulders of the container.

The accessory may be a presentation collar, preferably manufactured from cardboard. Advantageously, the presentation collar is manufactured from solid cardboard, contrary to the usual presentation collars that are manufactured from corrugated cardboard. By providing the presentation collar from solid cardboard, better printing quality can be achieved. Also improved folding may be possible, in view of an improved possibility to provide folding lines. Further, compared to corrugated cardboard, solid cardboard is thinner and thus cheaper to transport.

Also, on the solid cardboard presentation collar connection elements can be provided such as fingers or protrusions. The presentation collar can for example be used a limited number of times and can, after use, be thrown away and be replaced by another accessory. The cardboard presentation collar can be provided as a flat folding sheet provided with folding lines. Personnel on location, e.g. at the flowers packing station, fold the presentation collar along the folding lines and then place the presentation collar on the shoulders of the container. By providing the cooperating elements on the shoulders, positioning the presentation collar on the shoulders may be facilitated.

The conventional prior art presentation collar is made out of a corrugated cardboard sheet folded to a rectangular tube, wherein both ends of the cardboard sheet are glued together to form the rectangular tube. For transport purposes, the rectangular tube was then folded flat again, such that at the flower packing facilities, the personnel can unfold it to place it in the container.

According to the invention, the solid cardboard presentation collar, can be transported as a flat and unfolded sheet, and the ends need not to be glued together since, according to the invention, the presentation collar can be clamped in the cooperation elements of the shoulder to fixate the presentation collar and/or to hold the solid cardboard as a tube. This reduces the production costs of such a presentation collar. Further, the presentation collar can be only a part of the inner contour of the container which reduces material. For example it may then suffice to place a presentation collar only on a visible, front side of the container. Whereas, in the prior art, the presentation collar follows the complete inner contour of the container, requiring more material.

Further, in a continued effort to reduce the nesting height of the containers, the flange of the container, the upper wall part of the side wall, may be reduced in height. Also, a corner edge flange provided to reduce the risk of adjacent containers sliding over each other and resting on a lower container, may be positioned more inwardly such that the corner edge flange itself does not rest on the lower container but falls inside, e.g. a channel of the lower container, thereby reducing the nesting height.

These corner flanges need to have a certain height to reduce the risk of adjusted containers stacked. The outward edges of the adjacent containers can slide over each other when stacked next to each other on a pallet for example. When the pallet is transported in a truck, the flowers or plants are placed into a container, a cardboard protection sleeve is put into the U-formed upright channel and a lid is put on the protection sleeve to provide for a surface on which another container can be positioned. These three elements together are strapped by a polypropylene band. This package is stacked on a pallet with a height of about 240 to 250 centimeters, including the pallet. When a truck drives, a pallet and/or a container thereon can be slightly moving, depending on the space between the containers of each pallet. When the truck has an emergency stop or is driving on a hilly road, then a bottom of the channel of the adjacent container can slide on the top of the outer wall of the channel of the next container. The pallet then may become less stable. When it arrives at the distribution centre and is unstrapped by removing the strapping, the packages can tilt from the pallet. To avoid this tipping over or tilting, the corner edge flanges are provided to reduce the risk of the adjacent containers sliding over each other. These corner edge flanges require a minimal height to avoid the sliding over. For a conventional container, the corner edge flange rests on the outer wall of the channel of a lower container when nested, thus the height of the corner edge flange determines the nesting height.

According to an aspect of the invention, the corner edge flange is staggered inwardly with respect to the outer wall of the channel, such that the bottom of the corner edge flange does not rest on the outer wall of the channel of a lower container, but falls inside the U-formed upright channel of the lower container, thereby reducing the nesting height.

The lower wall part of the container typically is taller than the upper wall part or flange for a container for holding flowers or larger plants. The container may also be provided as container for holding smaller plants, then the overall height of the container can be lower and the flange and the wall can be approximately even tall, or the flange can even be taller than the wall. Such a container may for example hold pot plants.

The invention further relates to an accessory for use in such a container and to a method for fixating an accessory to a container.

Further advantageous embodiments are represented in the subclaims.

The invention will further be elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are represented in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments are given by way of non-hmitative illustration of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a container according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of detail I of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3a shows a cross-section of a side wall of two containers according to the invention nested, with a first embodiment of the cooperating element;

Fig. 3b shows a cross-section of a side wall of two containers according to the invention nested, with a second embodiment of the cooperating element;

Fig. 3c shows a cross-section of a side wall of a container with a third embodiment of the cooperating element;

Fig. 3d shows a cross-section of a side wall of a container with a fourth embodiment of the cooperating element;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a part of the container according to the invention with a guide element;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective exploded view of a part of an assembly of a container and an accessory according to the invention;

Fig. 6a shows a front view and a side view of a presentation collar as accessory to be folded with a first embodiment of connection elements according to the invention;

Fig. 6b shows a front view and a side view of a presentation collar as accessory to be folded with a second embodiment of connection elements according to the invention;

Fig. 6c shows a front view and a side view of a further embodiment of a presentation collar as accessory to be folded according to the invention;

Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a container interior as an accessory according to the invention having connection elements; and

Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a corner with a corner edge flange staggered inwardly of a container for holding flowers or plants;

Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of a side wall of two containers according to the invention nested, with the corner edge flange staggered inwardly.

It is noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-hmiting example. In the figures, the same or corresponding parts are designated with the same reference numerals.

For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a container 1 according to the invention. Such a container 1 is typically used for storing, transporting and/or showing plants or cut flowers.

The container 1 has a base 2 and four side walls 3, here denoted as 3’, 3”, 3”’and 3””. The side walls 3 extend upwardly from the base 2 to form the container 1. Each side wall 3 comprises an upper wall part 4 and a lower wall part 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is the lower wall part 5 taller than the upper wall part 4. The container of Figure 1 is typically a container for holding flowers or tall plants. Alternatively, the lower wall part 5 can be as tall as or even less tall than the upper wall part 4, for example for a container 1 for holding low plants. The container 1 is provided with handles 11 in two opposite side walls 3 of the container 1, as shown in Figure 1. In the embodiment shown here, the handle 11 is arranged as a cut-out in the side wall 3, but a handle can be arranged in various other ways, e.g. as a grip or as a holding rib. Where two side walls 3 meet, a corner 7 is formed.

Between a segment 4s of the upper wall part 4 and a segment 5s of the lower wall part 5 a shoulder 6 can be present. The segment 4s has a length L4s and the segment 5s has a length L5s. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the segments 4s and 5s correspond and have the same length L4s and L5s. On one side wall 3’, there is a shoulder 6’. The lengths L4s’, L5s’ of the segments 4s’, 5s’ extend over the length L’ of the side wall 3’, so the length Ls’ of the shoulder 6’ equals the length L’ of the side wall 3’. On another side wall 3”, there are shoulders 6”. The segments 4s”, 5s” of the shoulders 6” extend between the handle 11 and a corner 7. The lengths L4s” and L5s” are thus shorter than the length L” of the side wall 3”. The length Ls” of the shoulder 6” is thus shorter than the length L” of the side wall 3” as well. Many variants are possible with respect to the length L4s, L5s of the segments 4s, 5s and the length Ls of the shoulder 6.

The shoulder 6 may extend outwardly from the lower wall part 5 to the upper wall part 4 such that the upper wall part 4 is offset outwardly with respect to the lower wall part 5. The shoulder 6 thus may extend in a direction transverse to the sidewall 3 between the upper wall part 4 and the lower wall part 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, all four side walls 3 are provided with a shoulder 6 between the lower wall part 5 and the upper wall part 4. The shoulders 6 abut to each other in the corners 7 of the container 1. Alternatively, a single side wall 3 or two opposite side walls 3 may be provided with a shoulder 6. Also, in an alternative embodiment, the shoulder 6 can extend over a limited length of the side wall 3.

By providing an offset between at least a segment 4s of an upper wall part 4 and at least a segment 5s of a lower wall part 5, the container 1 may be nestable. Advantageously, the lower wall part 5 of the side wall 3 is inclined somewhat to improve nestability. In an upward direction from the base 2, the lower wall part 5 inchnes somewhat outwardly such that the container 1 near the shoulder 6 is wider than at the base 2. Typically, the upper wall part 4 then extends straight upwardly with respect to the inclined lower wall part 5.

The containers 1 can be nested when being empty. When the containers are empty, an upper container may be received in a lower container as to be nested in the lower container. The upper container may then rest with a lower side of its shoulder 6 onto the upper wall part 4 of a lower container 1, as e.g. shown in Figure 3b.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, adjacent shoulders 6 meet at the corner 7 of the container 1 and provide a shoulder corner 6a. Here, the shoulder 6 extends over a length Ls equal to the length L of the side wall 3. In another embodiment, not shown, the shoulder 6 may have a length shorter than a wall length L at an inner side 9 of the side wall 3 such that at the corner 7 of the container 1 and/or adjacent shoulders 6 do not meet and/or there may be a gap at shoulder height between the upper wall part 4 and the lower wall part 5. Alternatively, the inclination of the side wall 3 may be such that the upper wall part 4 and the lower wall part 5 may go over into each other without a shoulder between the upper wall part 4 and the lower wall part 5. Also, the shoulder 6 may extend continuously over the side wall 3 or may extend discontinuously over the side wall 3. Many variants of shoulders are possible.

When the shoulder 6 extends over the whole inner side wall length L with the length Ls, as e.g. on side wall 3’ of Figure 1, the shoulder corner 6a may provide some additional strength and/or stiffness to the corner 7. Advantageously, the corner 7 may be rounded for ease of manufacturing and/or strength and/or stiffness purposes. The shoulder 6 may be approximately parallel to the base 2 of the container 1.

The container 1 is typically manufactured from plastics by injection moulding as a single piece container, advantageously using a single material.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the container 1 is also provided with a U-shaped channel 8 on an outer side 10 of the side wall 3. The channel 8 is open to an upper end 8a, has a outer channel wall 8b and a channel bottom 8c, also shown in Figure 3a. The outer channel wall 8b may be approximately parallel to the upper wall part 4 of the side wall 3. In an embodiment the bottom 8c of the channel extends in line with the shoulder 6 such that the bottom 8c of the channel 8 is in this embodiment at approximately the same height as the shoulder 6, wherein the channel 8 is at the outer side 10 of the side wall 3 and the shoulder 6 is at the inner side 9 of the side wall 3. In alternative embodiments, the bottom 8c may be positioned lower than the shoulder 6, or may be positioned higher than the shoulder 6.

The channel 8 may be used for receiving a protective sleeve - not shown - in it that is arranged for protecting the flowers or plants in the container 1, e.g. during transport. Typically, flowers or plants may be additionally protected with such a protective sleeve when they are higher than the container 1 and extend out of the container 1. On such a protective sleeve, a hd can be positioned on which a further container can be placed. Thus, also when the containers 1 are filled with plants or flowers, the containers 1 can be stacked which can be advantageous during transport and/or storage. It is to be noted that the container 1 can also be provided without the channel 8.

Further, the container 1 can be provided with corner edge flanges 14. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 each corner of the container 1 is provided with a corner edge flange 14. Typically, the corner edge flange 14 extends downwardly, here from the outer channel wall 8b of the channel 8, to limit the risk of adjacent containers 1 sliding over each other e.g. during transport.

In an embodiment, the corner edge flange 14 extends in hne with an outer channel wall 8b downwardly from the channel bottom 8c, as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 3a. When nesting empty containers 1, the upper container 1 rests with the corner flange 14 onto an upper edge of the outer channel wall 8b of the lower container 1, as shown in Figure 3a. To reduce the nesting height, the inventors found that when staggering the corner edge flange 14 somewhat inwardly with respect to the outer channel wall 8b is effective without loosing the sliding prevention functionality of the edge flange 14. This is shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9. Figure 8 shows a corner detail of a container 1, apart from the staggered corner edge flange 14, the container 1 shown in Figure 8 is the same as the container 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 9 shows a cross-section of side walls 3 of containers 1 nested into each other.

Figure 8 shows the corner edge flange 14 staggered inwardly over a distance K thereby creating an edge 8d of the channel 8. When placing the container 1 onto an empty lower container 1, the inwardly staggered corner flange 14 falls inside the channel 8 of the lower container 1, thereby reducing the nesting height. Further, Figure 8 some ribs 13 are shown for providing stiffness to the channel bottom 8c, as well as drain holes 20 in the channel bottom 8c.

The container 1 is, according to the invention, provided with a cooperating element 12 on the shoulder 6, shown for example in Figure 2 as detail I of Figure 1. The cooperating element 12 is here provided as an opening in the shoulder 6. The cooperating element 12 has a length M and a depth N. The length M is in this embodiment shorter than the length Ls of the shoulder 6. Alternatively, the length M of the cooperating element 12 can be equal to the length Ls of the shoulder 6 as well.

The depth N of the cooperating element 12 is smaller than a depth D of the shoulder 6, according to the invention. The depth D of the shoulder 6 is rather small, usually approximately 15 mm or less. The depth D can be considered as the distance between the upper wall part 4 and the lower wall part 5 at shoulder height. In an alternative embodiment, the shoulder 6 may also extend further inwardly away from the side wall 3, thus a flange or an overhang may be created. Such a flange or overhang may provide additional strength and/or stiffness to the shoulder 6 and/or the side wall 3, but may also provide for an additional surface on which an accessory may be supported.

The cooperating element 12 is arranged to cooperate with an accessory to be supported on the shoulder 6 to fixate the accessory on the shoulder 6. The cooperating element 12 can have various embodiments and preferably provides for a clamping engagement of the accessory such that the accessory is fixated on the shoulder 6 such that accidental removal or damage can be reduced.

In an embodiment, two opposite shoulders 6 are provided with a cooperating element 12, so a firm coupling of the accessory 16 to the shoulder 6 may be obtained. Also, multiple cooperating elements 12 can be provided on a single shoulder 6, preferably at predetermined positions on the shoulder 6. In a further embodiment, each shoulder 6 may be provided with one or more cooperating elements 12 to provide for a more firm coupling of the one or more accessories 16 to the shoulders 6.

Figure 3a shows a cross-section of a side wall 3 of two containers 1 nested into each other. In the cross-sections shown, the side walls 3 are provided with a U-shaped channel 8 at shoulder height. In the drawings the shoulder is at the same height as the bottom 8c of the channel 8, but the shoulder can be higher or lower than the bottom 8c of the channel 8, depending on the angle of the lower wall part 5, thickness of the side walls 3 and the nesting height.

Here, the channel 8 is shown with a rib 13. At the corner, a corner edge flange 14 is provided. The rib 13 is a transverse rib provided below the bottom 8c of the channel which may provide for additional strength and/or stiffness of the channel 8. One or more ribs 13 may be provided. The flange 14 extends approximately in line with the outer channel wall 8b downwardly or may be staggered inwards with respect to the outer channel wall 8b. The flange 14 may provide for additional strength and/or stiffness to the channel 8 as well as may prevent for sliding over of the containers 1 during transport. The inclination of the flange 14 is such that easy loosening of a mould is possible. As can be seen in Figure 3a, the flange 14 rests with its lower end onto an upper end of the channel 8, so the length of the flange 14 determines the nesting height.

In the embodiment of Figure 3a, the cooperating element 12 is shown as an opening 12 in the shoulder 6. Through the opening 12 a connection element 15 of an accessory 16 can be put, as for example shown in Figure 5. By cooperating of the connection element 15 with the cooperating element 12, here embodied as an opening, or a sht, a clamping engagement can be obtained between the accessory 16 and the shoulder 6. The connection element 15 is in the embodiment of Figure 5 provided as a hook element that can hook underneath the opening or slit 12 of the shoulder 6 and thus a clamping connection is obtained.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the accessory 16 is shown as a presentation collar 16 that is to be supported on the shoulder 6. The presentation collar 16 can typically be a cardboard folding sheet 17 as shown in Figure 6a, Figure 6b and Figure 6c, preferably a solid cardboard sheet. The sheet 17 in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c is made to put on each side of the rectangular container. It may be that the front side of the collar is used as drawn, and that the short sides may be cut under an angle at such a way that the back side is much lower or does partly exists. The folding sheet 17 is provided with pre-fit folding lines 17a. The folding sheet 17 can thus easily be printed and stored and transported as a flat sheet. At location, e.g. at the flower packers or in the store, the folding sheet 17 is folded along the folding fines 17a to obtain a presentation collar 16. The presentation collar 16 is then put on the shoulder 6 of the container 1 by connecting the connection elements 15 to the cooperating elements 12 of the shoulders 6.

The folding sheet 17 can also easily be provided with the connection elements 15, which can have many variants. For example Figure 6b shows a connection element 15 as a ridge on the folding sheet 17. The ridge 15 can be made from cardboard or from an other material, it can be integrated to the folding sheet 17, or it can be, by known fastening means, be attached to the folding sheet 17. The ridge 15 can as a connection element 15 for example be fitted in a cooperating element 12 that is provided with a groove for receiving the ridge, thus a clamping engagement between the ridge and the groove can be obtained and the accessory 16 can be fixated on the shoulder 6. Such a cooperating element 12 can be e.g. a finger or an upwardly extending rib, as for example shown in Figure 3d.

The folding sheet of Figure 6c in fact only provides for a presentation collar on a view side of the container 1. The presentation collar 16 does not extend over the whole inner side of the container 1. This allows ease of placement, as well as reduction of material use.

Figure 3b and Figure 3c show other embodiments of cooperating elements 12. Figure 3b shows a hooking element 12 that can for example hook in a hole of an accessory 16. Also, such a hooking element 12 can for example hook in the accessory 16 by punching the accessory 16 locally with a hook of the hooking element 12. This may be possible when the accessory 16 is made of cardboard, or when pre-punched weaknesses may be provided as connection elements 15 in the accessory 16 which can be stabbed out by the hooking element 12 when coupling. Advantageously, such a hooking element 12 may be pre-tensioned towards the upper wall part, flange 4 of the side wall 3.

Figure 3c shows another embodiment of the cooperating element 12. The cooperating element 12 may be a protrusion such as a finger extending upwardly from the shoulder 6. Such a finger may connect with an opening in the accessory, the opening of the accessory may then have a size somewhat smaller than the size of the finger such that a clamping engagement can be obtained. Alternatively, the cooperating element 12 can be an upwardly extending rib such that an accessory 16 may be clamped between the upper wall part 4 and the rib 12. Advantageously, a thickness of the accessory 16 is larger than the width of an opening between the upper wall part 4 and the rib 12 such that a clamping engagement can be obtained when the accessory 16 is fitted between the upper wall part 4 and the rib 12. It may be clear to the person skilled in the art that many variants of the cooperating element and the connection element may be possible.

Preferably, the cooperating element 12 is made from the same material as the container 1, preferably by injection moulding. However, embodiments are possible in which the cooperating element 12 is made from a different material and manufactured by means of two-component injection moulding. Alternatively, the cooperating element 12 is connected to the shoulder 6 by well known means in the art, such as screwing, gluing, welding.

Figure 4 shows a guide element 18 in addition to the cooperating element 12 on the shoulder 6 of the container 1. The guide element 18 is here provided in the corner 6a of the shoulder 6, but can be provided at other locations, e.g. on the upper wall part 4 of the side wall 3 or at other positions on the shoulder 6. The guide element 18 is here provided as a protrusion, but other embodiments may be possible. The guide element 18 may facilitate guiding of the accessory 16 towards the cooperating elements 12 on the shoulder 6. For example, a folded presentation collar 16 is to be guided towards the shoulder 6 and to assist alignment of the connection elements 15 with the cooperating elements 12 a guide element 18 may be provided. For example, the presentation collar 16 may be positioned between the corner 7 and the guide element 18.

Many variants of accessories may be positioned on the shoulder 6 of the container 1. For example shows Figure 7 a container interior as accessory 16. The container interior comprises a number of beams 19 that are cross-wise connected to each other and which are, at their ends, provided with a connection element 15. The connection element 15 is arranged for clampingly connect to the cooperating element 11 of the shoulder 6 to fixate the accessory to the shoulder 6. The container interior 16 may be used for e.g. presenting varies species of cut flowers.

In another aspect of the invention, the upper wall part 4 of the side wall 3 may be provided with the cooperating element 12, such as a slit or a groove or a hole or a protrusion to which a connection element 15 of an accessory 16 may be clampingly engaged.

In a further aspect of the invention, both the shoulder 6 and the upper wall part 4 may be provided with a cooperating element 12 such that one or more accessories may be coupled to the same side wall 3. One may think of a presentation collar to be supported on the shoulder 6 and a price tag to be connected with the upper wall part 4.

Many variants will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. In particular, the cooperating element may be one of an opening, a finger, a pin, a protrusion, a U-shaped element, an L-shaped element, a clamping element etc. The connection element may be one of an opening, a finger, a pin, a protrusion, a rib, a ridge, a pre-punched hole. Also, many variants of accessories are possible, such as a presentation collar, price tags, presentation cards, a partition board, a container interior etc. All variants are understood to be comprised within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

A nestable container for receiving flowers or plants comprising a base and four side walls extending upward from the base, wherein a side wall comprises an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion, wherein at least one segment of an upper wall portion and at least a segment of a corresponding lower wall part is provided with a shoulder which extends outwardly from the relevant segment of the lower wall part to the relevant segment of the upper wall part so that the segment of the upper wall part is at a distance from the outside segment of the lower wall part, wherein the shoulder is provided with a cooperating element for cooperating with an accessory to be supported on the shoulder to attach the accessory to the shoulder, a depth of the cooperating element being less than a depth of the shoulder.

The container of claim 1, wherein a length of the cooperating element is equal to or less than a length of the shoulder.

3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two shoulders are provided on the container, at least one of which is provided with a cooperating element.

4. Container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least two cooperating elements are provided per the at least one shoulder.

A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooperating element is adapted to cooperate with a connecting element on the accessory for securing the accessory on the shoulder.

6. Container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least a part of the cooperating element extends upwards and / or downwards from the shoulder.

7. Container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the shoulder further extends inwards from the side wall to an inner space of the container.

A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the depth of the shoulder is approximately 15 mm or less.

A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooperating element is provided at a predetermined position on the shoulder.

10. Container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the container further comprises a channel which is provided on an outside of the side wall for receiving a protection collar which is adapted to protect flowers or plants in the container, for instance during transport.

The container of claim 10, wherein the channel having an outer channel wall is provided with a corner edge flange extending downwardly from the outer channel wall, wherein the corner edge flange is offset inwards relative to the outer channel wall.

12. Container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising a guide element for guiding the accessory to the cooperating element.

A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooperating element is one of an opening, a hole, a wick, a spring, a in, a rib, a ridge, a protrusion, a U-shaped element, an L-shaped element element, a clamping element, a slot, or any other suitable element.

An assembly of a nestable container and an accessory, wherein the nestable container is a container according to any one of claims 1-13.

Assembly according to claim 14, wherein the accessory is provided with a connecting element for clamping connection to the cooperating element of the container for securing the accessory to the shoulder.

An assembly according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the connecting element is provided on an accessory at a position that corresponds to the position of the cooperating element on the shoulder of the container.

17. Assembly as claimed in any of the claims 14-16, wherein the accessory is one of a presentation collar, a holder for long stems, a distribution board, a container interior, a presentation card holder, a container extension, a water container, a drawing holder, or any other suitable accessory.

An assembly according to claim 17, wherein the presentation collar is a foldable solid cardboard collar provided with fold lines.

19. An accessory for use in a container according to any one of the preceding claims 1-13, wherein the accessory is provided with a connecting element for clamping connection to the cooperating element of the container for securing the accessory on the shoulder of the container .

A method for fixing an accessory on a container for receiving flowers or plants, comprising: - providing a container comprising a base and four side walls extending upward from the base, a side wall having an upper side wall part and a lower side comprises a side wall part, wherein between at least one segment of the upper wall part and at least one segment of the lower wall part a shoulder is present, which shoulder extends outwards from the relevant segment of the lower wall part to the relevant segment of the upper wall part so that the the relevant segment of the upper wall part is at a distance to the outside with respect to the segment of the lower wall part; - providing a cooperating element on the shoulder; - provide an accessory; - coupling the accessory with the cooperating element of the shoulder to fix the accessory on the shoulder of the container.

A method according to claim 20, further comprising - provided with at least one connecting element on the accessory; - coupling the connecting element of the accessory to the cooperating element of the container in order to provide a clamping connection for securing the accessory on the shoulder.

A kit comprising a container according to any of claims 1-13, and an accessory for use in the container.