US20060283077A1 - Cut flower packaging - Google Patents
Cut flower packaging Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060283077A1 US20060283077A1 US11/029,715 US2971505A US2006283077A1 US 20060283077 A1 US20060283077 A1 US 20060283077A1 US 2971505 A US2971505 A US 2971505A US 2006283077 A1 US2006283077 A1 US 2006283077A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- base
- upper portion
- water
- flowers
- fluid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/50—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage
- B65D85/505—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage for cut flowers
Abstract
A packaging apparatus for cut flowers includes an elongated body having a closed base and an upper portion with an open top that extends from the base. The base serves as a reservoir for water and supports the apparatus an upright orientation. Strips of flexible material are secured to the top of the upper portion of the body and function as handles. In operation, the apparatus is filled with water and one or more flowers. The water assists in forcing the body into a generally cylindrical shape having a flat bottom and also functions as a weight that further supports the body in its upright orientation. The cut portions of the stems of the flowers thus have the advantage of being positioned in a reservoir of water during later transportation and the upper portion provides space to safely accommodate the stem, leaves and petal portions of the flower(s).
Description
- This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/534,257, filed Jan. 5, 2004.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention concerns packaging for cut flowers or similar plants. More particularly, the invention concerns a bag, container, holder or the like for cut flowers has a lower severally cylindrical portion or base which fans out to an upper portion to an opening at the top. The lower portion is operable to retain an amount of fluid (i.e., a reservoir) and remain in an upright or otherwise substantially vertical (i.e., free standing) orientation.
- 2. Reference to Related Art
- Cut flowers and similar plants are typically wrapped in paper wrapping for delivery to a customer at the point of sale. The flowers are removed from water and paper wrapping is rolled around the flowers or formed into a cone-shaped sleeve covering the flowers and stems. When the flowers are wrapped, they are deprived of water until placed in a vase by a customer. Notably though, even a short deprivation of water will hasten the degradation of the flowers. It is also known to ship flowers in a glass vase filled with water. However, this is costly and both the flowers and the vase are then wrapped in paper.
- Included among the prior art efforts to package cut flowers and plants is U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,782 to Landau, which is directed to an Improved Cover for Potted Plants. In Landau, a cover provides a watertight seal at its base while at the same time protecting the plant from contact with water leaking out of the plant. The cover is in the form of a flat, tear-away bag that customers of florists and plant nurseries can use themselves without assistance.
- A second notable reference is U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,290 to Matyja, which is directed to an Expandable Bag. Specifically, the Matyja patent describes a flexible bag having a tapered body with a closed bottom that is narrower than the top of the body. The bag has a handle and a folding portion that couples the body to the handle. The handle includes two handle halves that are separable to open the bag. The bag is movable from a flat position in which the holding portion is folded to an expanded unfolded position in response to the weight of objects to be carried.
- Another reference is U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,982 to Van Wingerden, which is directed to a Floral Bouquet Bag. More particularly, Van Wingerden discusses a bag sleeve that provides a protective packaging for a floral bouquet while also providing a convenient way to pick up and carry the bouquet. The bag sleeve has a shield portion that defines a bouquet receiving space that made of a rigid paper layer and a water-resistant layer attached to the paper layer. At least one handle is attached to a blossom end of the shield portion. A water-resistant base portion extends from a stern end of the shield portion, wherein the base portion has an opening that permits stems of the floral bouquet to protrude from the bag sleeve.
- A final reference is U.K. Patent Application No. GB 2056410 to Illovy, which is directed to a Flower Transporting Container. The Illovy application discloses a container for transporting cut flowers that includes a tapering flexible bag formed of sheet plastics material and is provided with handles. The bag is formed by folding a sheet of polythene about a fold line and securing the overlying sheets together by welds. In use, a small quantity of water is put into the bag to form a reservoir into which the stems of the flowers extend.
- Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an easy to use and affordable packaging for the cut flowers that preserves the flowers during the transportation, has a body that is at least partially water impermeable so that it may retain an amount of fluid and can remain in an upright or otherwise substantially vertical (i.e., free standing) orientation when not in use or when holding a cut flower(s) or plant.
- A packaging apparatus, bag, container, holder or the like for cut flowers is disclosed that is operable to retain a reservoir of fluid and remain in an upright or otherwise substantially vertical (i.e., free standing) orientation. The packaging includes a collapsible, generally elongated body. The body has closed base, an upper portion that extends up from the base and has an open end and a handle.
- The base is generally cylindrical has a pair of gussets, a flat bottom and can hold an amount of fluid, such that the base may function as a reservoir for a cut flower or plant.
- The upper portion of the body flares upwardly from the base and includes a front panel and a rear panel that are secured together along two edges. The panels provide the apparatus with open top. Indicia (such as logos or other advertising) may also be print on the outside of the each panel.
- The handles of the apparatus are fashioned from strips of flexible material that are formed into an inverted U and secured to the upper portion of the body of the apparatus proximate the open top.
- In operation, the fluid (e.g., water) in the base can urge open the front panel and rear panel and gussets so that the body takes on a generally cylindrical shape having a flat bottom. Cut flowers or similar plants are then placed (stems down) in the apparatus. The fluid in the base functions to further support the body in a substantially vertical orientation. Accordingly, the cut plants have the advantage of being positioned in a reservoir of water while during transport. Further, the fanned upper portion of the apparatus provides the cut flowers with ample space to accommodate the stem, leaves and petal portions of the flower(s).
- Reference will now be made to the attached figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout and wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a packaging apparatus for cut flowers constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the packaging apparatus for cut flowers shown inFIG. 1 . - Referring now to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown apackaging apparatus 10 for cut flowers F. As shown, theapparatus 10 includes abody 12 having a closedbase 14 and anupper portion 16 that extends from thebase 14. Theupper portion 16 has anopen top 18 and thebase 14 is operable to function as a reservoir for a fluid 19 (e.g., water, or solution of water and plant food) to thereby assist in theapparatus 10 in remaining in an upright or otherwise substantially vertical (i.e., free standing) orientation. One or more strips offlexible material 20 are formed into an inverted U and secured to the upper portion proximate thetop 18 to function as handles for carrying theapparatus 10. Further, this application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/534,257, filed Jan. 5, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. - Still referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , thebody 12 is formed from a unitary web of flexible material that is impervious or is otherwise adapted to hold or retain water such as high-density polypropylene, polythene or some other plastic/polymeric film or paper known in the art. Alternatively, the web of flexible material may be constructed as a plastic or polymer laminate having an inside, water impervious layer and an outside layer. As a still further alternative, thebody 12 may be formed from separate sheets of the flexible material that is impervious or is otherwise adapted to hold or retain water as described above. - Still referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , theupper portion 16 is formed from afront panel 22 and arear panel 24 that are welded together on along twoedges upper portion 16 of thebody 12 is operable to open up or otherwise fans out cylindrically from the base 12 such that theopen top 18 of theupper portion 14 is wider that an interior width of thebase 12. Thepanels apparatus 10 may also be imprinted with advertising orother print indicia 27 such as a merchant's contact information, logo or the like. It will be appreciated that this arrangement of theupper portion 16 may provide theupper portion 16 with a generally conical shape that is particularly suitable for retaining a bouquet of flowers F. - Still referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , thebase 14 includes a pair ofgussets 26 that extend from theflat bottom 28 of the base 14 to theside panels apparatus 10 is constructed such that theseams 28 of the apparatus extend from thegussets 26 up the sides of thepanels apparatus 10 may be collapsed and/or flattened for storage. - In operation, the
body 12 of theapparatus 10 may be filled with water and one or more flowers F when a customer purchases the flowers F. Alternatively, the water and flower(s) F may be placed in theapparatus 10 and stored on a shelf until picked up by the customer. The water assists (but is not necessarily required) in forcing thepanels gussets 26 into a generally cylindrical shape having flat bottom 28 so that theapparatus 10 will stand on itsbase 14 in a generally upright or vertical orientation. Accordingly, it will be appreciated thatbase 14 of theapparatus 10 provides the cut portions of the stems of the flowers F with a reservoir of water during transport while the fannedupper portion 16 of theapparatus 10 provides those flowers F with ample space to accommodate the stem, leaves and petal portions of the flower(s) F. - A customer transports the
apparatus 10 by holding on to the strip(s) offlexible material 20 and using it as a handle(s). After use, the flowers F are removed from theapparatus 10, the water is emptied and theapparatus 10 discarded. Thus is disclosed an inexpensive packaging apparatus that permits cut flowers to be stored in water and easily transported to their final destination. - Having thus described the present invention, it is anticipated that those having skill in the art may be aware of various other embodiments and improvement that do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
Claims (6)
1. A packaging apparatus for cut flowers and water:
a generally elongated body, the body being operable to contain a fluid and including a closed cylindrical base, an upper portion that flares outwardly from the base, the base having a pair of gussets and a bottom, the upper portion defining an open top and including a front panel and a rear panel,
whereby the water is contained in the base to help support the packaging in an upright position.
2. The packaging apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a strip of flexible material are formed into an inverted U and secured to the upper portion proximate the open top.
3. The packaging apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion further comprises print indicia.
4. A packaging apparatus for cut flowers comprising:
a collapsible, generally elongated body, the body including a closed base, an upper portion that extends from the base and defines an open top and a handle secured to the upper portion proximate the open top, the base having a pair of gussets, a flat bottom and containing an amount of fluid, the upper portion including a front panel and a rear panel,
whereby the fluid in the base is operable to urge open the front panel and rear 8 panel and gussets such that the body takes on a generally cylindrical shape and supports the body in a substantially vertical orientation; and
5. The packaging apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the upper portion further comprises print indicia.
6. A packaging apparatus for cut flowers comprising, in combination:
a collapsible, generally elongated body, the body including a closed base, an upper portion that extends from the base and a strip of flexible material, the base having a pair of gussets, a flat bottom and containing an amount of fluid, the upper portion defining an open top and including a front panel, a rear panel and print indicia, the strip of flexible material being formed into an inverted U and secured to the upper portion proximate the open top, the fluid in the base being operable to urge open the front panel and rear panel and gussets and into a generally cylindrical shape and support the body in a substantially vertical orientation; and
a flower having a stem and a petal portion, the stem having a cut end that is positioned in the fluid in base of the body.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/029,715 US20060283077A1 (en) | 2004-01-05 | 2005-01-05 | Cut flower packaging |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US53425704P | 2004-01-05 | 2004-01-05 | |
US11/029,715 US20060283077A1 (en) | 2004-01-05 | 2005-01-05 | Cut flower packaging |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060283077A1 true US20060283077A1 (en) | 2006-12-21 |
Family
ID=37571944
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/029,715 Abandoned US20060283077A1 (en) | 2004-01-05 | 2005-01-05 | Cut flower packaging |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20060283077A1 (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080202025A1 (en) * | 2007-02-16 | 2008-08-28 | Temkin International, Inc. | Holders, method of making holders and frame for accommodating holders |
US20080230409A1 (en) * | 2007-02-01 | 2008-09-25 | Elfezouaty Igal R | Floral stand, frame kit and container and method of use |
BE1017700A3 (en) * | 2007-07-19 | 2009-04-07 | Smet Christophe Maurice De | Packaging for use in retail shop to pack flowers, has holder comprising parts for holding stems and crowns of flowers, where one part of holder enables removal of flowers in other part together with cistern |
US20090282734A1 (en) * | 2008-05-16 | 2009-11-19 | Lyudmila Mirakyan | Floral display device |
JP5661966B1 (en) * | 2014-07-24 | 2015-01-28 | 株式会社P.Bouquet | Flower packaging material |
US20180020624A1 (en) * | 2016-07-25 | 2018-01-25 | Bryan Vande Vrede | Packages for living, edible plants |
US10231384B2 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2019-03-19 | Anna Lynette Edwards | Apparatus to suspend bouquets in a vehicle |
USD864750S1 (en) | 2018-07-26 | 2019-10-29 | Kaylynn Jordan | Flower bouquet bag |
EP3838797A1 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2021-06-23 | Bekele Mekdes Tilahun | Flower container |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2774187A (en) * | 1954-05-18 | 1956-12-18 | Vernon L Smithers | Package for transporting cut flowers |
US3874115A (en) * | 1974-02-11 | 1975-04-01 | Herbert S London | Nonspill flexible package for shipping and storing cut flowers or the like |
USD244914S (en) * | 1975-03-31 | 1977-07-05 | Nicol Douglas J | Bag |
US4148427A (en) * | 1978-01-19 | 1979-04-10 | Chase Gardens Wholesale, Inc. | Flower container |
US4946290A (en) * | 1988-09-28 | 1990-08-07 | Krzysztof Matyja | Expandable bag |
US5235782A (en) * | 1991-11-27 | 1993-08-17 | Simcha Landau | Cover for potted plants and method for covering potted plants |
US5403634A (en) * | 1993-11-08 | 1995-04-04 | Lumigem Canada Inc. | Collapsible flower vase |
US6061955A (en) * | 1998-09-16 | 2000-05-16 | Domstein; Randall A. | Collapsible flower vase assembly including pedestal base cork attachment |
US6129208A (en) * | 1999-01-06 | 2000-10-10 | Chantler Packaging Inc. | Plant flat-collapsible-container |
US6574919B2 (en) * | 1994-05-03 | 2003-06-10 | Southpac Trust International, Inc. | Method of containing a pot or floral grouping in a sleeve having expandable sidewalls |
US6665982B1 (en) * | 2002-06-06 | 2003-12-23 | Westland Floral Company | Floral bouquet bag |
-
2005
- 2005-01-05 US US11/029,715 patent/US20060283077A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2774187A (en) * | 1954-05-18 | 1956-12-18 | Vernon L Smithers | Package for transporting cut flowers |
US3874115A (en) * | 1974-02-11 | 1975-04-01 | Herbert S London | Nonspill flexible package for shipping and storing cut flowers or the like |
USD244914S (en) * | 1975-03-31 | 1977-07-05 | Nicol Douglas J | Bag |
US4148427A (en) * | 1978-01-19 | 1979-04-10 | Chase Gardens Wholesale, Inc. | Flower container |
US4946290A (en) * | 1988-09-28 | 1990-08-07 | Krzysztof Matyja | Expandable bag |
US5235782A (en) * | 1991-11-27 | 1993-08-17 | Simcha Landau | Cover for potted plants and method for covering potted plants |
US5403634A (en) * | 1993-11-08 | 1995-04-04 | Lumigem Canada Inc. | Collapsible flower vase |
US6574919B2 (en) * | 1994-05-03 | 2003-06-10 | Southpac Trust International, Inc. | Method of containing a pot or floral grouping in a sleeve having expandable sidewalls |
US6061955A (en) * | 1998-09-16 | 2000-05-16 | Domstein; Randall A. | Collapsible flower vase assembly including pedestal base cork attachment |
US6129208A (en) * | 1999-01-06 | 2000-10-10 | Chantler Packaging Inc. | Plant flat-collapsible-container |
US6665982B1 (en) * | 2002-06-06 | 2003-12-23 | Westland Floral Company | Floral bouquet bag |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080230409A1 (en) * | 2007-02-01 | 2008-09-25 | Elfezouaty Igal R | Floral stand, frame kit and container and method of use |
US7721888B2 (en) * | 2007-02-01 | 2010-05-25 | Elfezouaty Igal R | Floral stand, frame kit and container and method of use |
US20080202025A1 (en) * | 2007-02-16 | 2008-08-28 | Temkin International, Inc. | Holders, method of making holders and frame for accommodating holders |
BE1017700A3 (en) * | 2007-07-19 | 2009-04-07 | Smet Christophe Maurice De | Packaging for use in retail shop to pack flowers, has holder comprising parts for holding stems and crowns of flowers, where one part of holder enables removal of flowers in other part together with cistern |
US20090282734A1 (en) * | 2008-05-16 | 2009-11-19 | Lyudmila Mirakyan | Floral display device |
JP5661966B1 (en) * | 2014-07-24 | 2015-01-28 | 株式会社P.Bouquet | Flower packaging material |
US10231384B2 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2019-03-19 | Anna Lynette Edwards | Apparatus to suspend bouquets in a vehicle |
US20180020624A1 (en) * | 2016-07-25 | 2018-01-25 | Bryan Vande Vrede | Packages for living, edible plants |
USD864750S1 (en) | 2018-07-26 | 2019-10-29 | Kaylynn Jordan | Flower bouquet bag |
EP3838797A1 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2021-06-23 | Bekele Mekdes Tilahun | Flower container |
DE202020005876U1 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2022-12-20 | Mekdes Tilahun Bekele | flower container |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VIVIANO FLOWER SHOP, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VIVIANO, MR. PETER;REEL/FRAME:015845/0707 Effective date: 20050331 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |