US20070084106A1 - Modular bucket system for displaying fresh cut flowers - Google Patents

Modular bucket system for displaying fresh cut flowers Download PDF

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Publication number
US20070084106A1
US20070084106A1 US11/248,346 US24834605A US2007084106A1 US 20070084106 A1 US20070084106 A1 US 20070084106A1 US 24834605 A US24834605 A US 24834605A US 2007084106 A1 US2007084106 A1 US 2007084106A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
flower
coded
flowers
disposable
set forth
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
Application number
US11/248,346
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English (en)
Inventor
Joanna Burgess
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BURGESS & BURGESS Inc
Original Assignee
BURGESS & BURGESS Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BURGESS & BURGESS Inc filed Critical BURGESS & BURGESS Inc
Priority to US11/248,346 priority Critical patent/US20070084106A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2005/036871 priority patent/WO2007044011A1/fr
Assigned to BURGESS & BURGESS, INC. reassignment BURGESS & BURGESS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BURGESS, JOANNA S.
Publication of US20070084106A1 publication Critical patent/US20070084106A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F7/00—Show stands, hangers, or shelves, adapted for particular articles or materials
    • A47F7/0071—Show stands, hangers, or shelves, adapted for particular articles or materials for perishable goods
    • A47F7/0078—Show stands, hangers, or shelves, adapted for particular articles or materials for perishable goods for plants or flowers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for displaying fresh cut flowers for retail sale, and more particularly, to a coded modular bucket system for displaying and replenishing flowers to be sold inside a flower cooler.
  • Flowers typically are displayed in a cooler having several shelves for flower buckets. Different types of flowers are placed within the buckets at random locations throughout the display cooler. These flower buckets are typically plastic, and each bucket must be cleaned and disinfected before a new set of flowers is placed within each flower bucket, otherwise mold and bacteria can harm the new flowers. The labor cost associated with cleaning and maintaining these flower buckets can quickly cut into the profits of a flower retailer, such as supermarkets and mass markets.
  • Retail flower displays are typically a mixture of various types of flowers placed at random throughout the display cooler.
  • a customer must sort through numerous types of flowers to find the type or price of flower he or she desires.
  • a flower clerk, associate, or flower manager has the non-enviable task of trying to determine which types or species of flowers need to be restocked, and which of the currently displayed flower types or species are becoming too old or past their freshness date. This task requires the flower manager to be extremely familiar with flowers and the specific flower display-arrangement.
  • a passing clerk, associate, or store manager is generally unable to determine, by looking at the flower display, which flowers need to be replaced or which flowers are becoming too old to sell.
  • flower assortments are typically sent by growers to retailers in unmarked, plastic, ten-inch diameter buckets. Eight bunches of mixed or similar type flowers are generally shipped in each bucket. Upon receiving the flower buckets full of flowers from a grower, a skilled flower manager or clerk must recognize and determine which specific types of flowers are located within each bucket. The skilled flower person must then organize and transfer each specific flower bunch to the proper location within the retail display, such as a flower cooler. This process takes additional time and requires skilled labor to accomplish, which further cuts into a retailer's profit.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a system for coding a display case and flower buckets so that an out of department clerk or store manager, who does not have any special knowledge of flowers, can quickly determine if a species of flowers needs to be restocked or replaced.
  • Another object of the present invention to eliminate labor cost associated with cleaning the flower buckets of a flower display case by using disposable flower buckets.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a system enabling a typical clerk or flower associate to quickly organize newly received flowers from a grower and place the appropriate types of flowers at pre-designated locations within a retail flower display.
  • the present invention provides a system for displaying flowers having a display platform with a plurality of coded receptacles for receiving coded flower containers, a plurality of coded flower containers located within corresponding coded flower receptacles, and a characteristic code on each coded receptacle and each coded flower container identifying a flower characteristic.
  • the coded flower containers are preferably constructed of disposable, water-impermeable treated paper buckets that hold water for at least twenty days, and a characteristic code can identify price, species, and expiration date of flowers.
  • the coded receptacles further enable a clerk or floral associate to quickly organize a retail flower display by matching the characteristic codes of the flower buckets with the characteristic codes of the flower receptacles.
  • the disposable flower containers eliminate the labor cost and time delay associated with cleaning and maintaining conventional, reusable flower buckets.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retail display cooler of freshly cut flowers featuring color-coded buckets and receptacles configured in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a table flower display configured in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a flower display 10 configured in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • a cooler cabinet 11 includes glass sides 9 with glass doors 13 having handles 14 .
  • the cooler cabinet 11 includes shelves 17 , 18 , 19 for holding flower buckets 20 , 22 , 24 .
  • the cabinet 11 and shelves 17 , 18 , 19 can be constructed of numerous materials, such as wood or plastic.
  • the frame 15 of the cooler cabinet 11 generally is constructed of steel.
  • the cooler cabinet includes a compressor (not shown) for cooling.
  • the flower buckets 20 , 22 , 24 are constructed of disposable, water-impermeable material, so that the flower buckets 20 , 22 , 24 can be simply discarded when the flowers contained within are sold.
  • the disposable material preferably is environmentally friendly, so as not to harm the environment or landfills.
  • An example of a preferred material is paper coated with a water-resistant material, similar to paper milk cartons or paper orange juice containers, which are commonly sold in grocery stores.
  • Milk cartons are typically constructed of polyethylene-coated paper-board. In aseptic versions of drink-filled cartons, aluminum foil lamina is generally incorporated.
  • disposable, water-impermeable food buckets similar to those used by KFC (previously Kentucky Fried Chicken) restaurants, may be used as flower buckets 20 , 22 , 24 .
  • the disposable, water-impermeable flower buckets consist of a gauge or thickness approximately four times that of the well-known KFC family chicken bucket.
  • the buckets are preferably a standardized size of 7.5 inches tall and have a diameter of 7.5 at the top opening.
  • different size disposable, water-impermeable flower buckets may be used in accordance with the invention.
  • the flower cooler cabinet 11 provides shelves 17 , 18 , 19 for holding the coded flower containers 20 , 22 , 24 , which are located within corresponding or matching coded receptacles 30 , 32 , 34 .
  • the coded receptacles 30 , 32 , 34 are preferably indentations or slots within the shelves 17 , 18 , 19 , but a receptacle may include a hole 36 passing completely through the shelf 18 .
  • Flowers of the same species, or potted plants may be located within a single flower bucket.
  • Pon poms 40 , daisies 42 , or roses 44 Similar flowers may also include bulb type flowers, such as tulips.
  • a flower bucket 38 may include mixed bouquets 46 or consumer bunches.
  • each flower container or bucket 20 , 22 , 24 holds a particular type or species of flower.
  • pon poms 40 are held in a first flower container 20
  • daisies 42 are held in a second flower container 22
  • roses 44 are held in a third flower container 24 .
  • Each species of flower is associated with a code characteristic, such as color.
  • pon poms 40 are held in containers 20 having a purple color 50
  • daisies 42 are held in container 22 having a yellow color 52
  • roses 44 are held in containers containers 24 having red color 54 .
  • purple containers 20 are placed in purple receptacles 30
  • yellow containers 22 are placed in yellow receptacles 32
  • red containers 24 are placed in red receptacles 34 , and so forth.
  • the coloring 50 , 52 , 54 of the flower containers or buckets 20 , 22 , 24 is preferably on the outside of the flower containers 20 , 22 , 24 .
  • the coloring of the receptacles 30 , 32 , 34 , 36 preferably is located on the inside rim 55 , top surface 56 , or periphery 57 of the receptacles 30 , 32 , 34 , 36 .
  • the color code of the flower container or bucket indicates which flower type or species is located within each bucket. Specific flower species, or groups of flowers, are placed within specifically colored flower containers. In this manner, a salesperson can quickly prepare and fill a flower display by simply placing the color coded buckets in a matching color coded receptacle. In a similar manner, a salesperson or store manager can quickly determine which flower buckets having a particular type or types of flowers need to be restocked by observing the color of the empty or available colored receptacles.
  • a flower bucket 38 may be coded by a ring 39 on the periphery 41 , or by the wrapping paper 26 surrounding the flowers 46 within the bucket 38 .
  • the variations for marking the flower buckets can be quite numerous.
  • coding can be achieved by methods other than color, such as graphic designs, symbols, or even pictures.
  • the coding characteristic of the flower buckets 20 , 22 , 24 and receptacles 30 , 32 , 34 may identify additional information, such as price or freshness expiration date. In this manner, a flower display can be ensured to include fresh flowers having a broad variety of species at various price levels.
  • the coding also can designate particular flower arrangements or the number of flowers contained within each flower container.
  • the receptacles 30 , 32 , 34 are preferably a cutout, slot, or indentation in the shelves 17 , 18
  • the receptacles 37 may include a hole passing completely through the shelf 18 . If the receptacle 37 includes a hole, a bottom portion 28 of the flower bucket may pass through the shelf 18 .
  • the receptacles 36 may simply be a designated location 56 on the shelf 19 , designated by a circle or ring 57 on the flat, top surface of the shelf 19 .
  • the ring 57 is preferably colored to identify the proper flower species container or bucket to be place at that location.
  • a table 102 provides a flower display platform for receptacles 130 , 132 , 134 .
  • flower wrappers 110 , 112 , 114 are color coded to designate flower characteristics.
  • the flowers containers 120 , 122 , 124 may remain on the table 102 when flowers are sold, and new flower wrappers 110 , 112 , 114 holding the appropriate flower type or species, and matching the characteristic code of an open flower container 120 , 122 , 124 , is used to properly identify, match and refill the open flower container 120 , 122 , 124 .
  • a salesperson or store manager can quickly determine which flowers need to be restocked by looking at the open coded flower containers 120 , 122 , 124 or receptacles 130 , 132 , 134 on the table 102 .
  • FIG. 2 also shows how colored paper or wrapping 108 overhanging the outer lip of the flower container 120 can be used to identify the characteristic code a flower container or flower bucket.
  • the overhanging wrapping paper 108 is color coded purple to identify the pon poms 140 to be located within the flower bucket 120 .
  • the wrapping paper 110 is color coded purple to identify that the pon poms 140 are to be placed within the purple bucket 120 .
  • the characteristic code may be identified by using a Universal Product Code (UPC) sticker 150 or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Integrated Circuit (IC) 152 chip.
  • UPC Universal Product Code
  • RFID Radio Frequency Identification
  • IC Integrated Circuit
  • flower bunches are sent from a whole seller in color coded wrappers 110 , 112 , 114 and color coded disposable flower buckets 120 , 122 , 124 .
  • the flower associate at the retailer upon receipt of the coded flower buckets 120 , 122 , 124 , simply places the flower buckets 120 , 122 , 124 , which include flower bunches corresponding to the coded flower bucket, within receptacles 130 , 132 , 134 having matching characteristic codes to those of the coded flower buckets.
  • flowers received by the retailer from the whole seller can be quickly and economically unpacked and displayed at the proper locations of a retail flower display by a clerk who does not have any specialized knowledge about flowers.
  • the flower display can be easily maintained by observing which coded flower receptacles need to be restocked, and simply restocking empty flower receptacles or old flowers with new flower bunches or flower buckets having a matching characteristic code.

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  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
US11/248,346 2005-10-13 2005-10-13 Modular bucket system for displaying fresh cut flowers Abandoned US20070084106A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/248,346 US20070084106A1 (en) 2005-10-13 2005-10-13 Modular bucket system for displaying fresh cut flowers
PCT/US2005/036871 WO2007044011A1 (fr) 2005-10-13 2005-10-13 Sytème modulaire de présentation de fleurs fraîchement coupées en seaux

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/248,346 US20070084106A1 (en) 2005-10-13 2005-10-13 Modular bucket system for displaying fresh cut flowers
PCT/US2005/036871 WO2007044011A1 (fr) 2005-10-13 2005-10-13 Sytème modulaire de présentation de fleurs fraîchement coupées en seaux

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20070084106A1 true US20070084106A1 (en) 2007-04-19

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US11/248,346 Abandoned US20070084106A1 (en) 2005-10-13 2005-10-13 Modular bucket system for displaying fresh cut flowers

Country Status (2)

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US (1) US20070084106A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007044011A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080315046A1 (en) * 2007-06-20 2008-12-25 Shellie Greto Kiosk, system and method for the pairing flowers and vases
US20130045471A1 (en) * 2011-02-25 2013-02-21 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Training system for investigations of bioengineered proteins
US20150113869A1 (en) * 2013-10-25 2015-04-30 Gregory H. Brown Modular Plant Growing System with Support and Protection Features

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108009601A (zh) * 2016-10-31 2018-05-08 浙江医药股份有限公司新昌制药厂 一种药品生产的管理方法和系统

Citations (23)

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US3773213A (en) * 1971-07-23 1973-11-20 Gilbert N Shipping and dispensing container
US4832607A (en) * 1988-07-08 1989-05-23 Wade Manufacturing Co. Watering system display stand
US5205432A (en) * 1989-05-26 1993-04-27 Manx Ices Limited Packaging
US5251751A (en) * 1992-11-02 1993-10-12 Ernest Prussen Color coded kit of rivets according to length
US5335509A (en) * 1993-07-28 1994-08-09 Dianna Namisniak Food inventory system
US5367823A (en) * 1993-08-31 1994-11-29 Ferris; John Apparatus for cut flower storage and display
US5575107A (en) * 1990-12-14 1996-11-19 Doerr; Gary R. Perfect planting color code, and methods of constructing and utilizing same
US5675932A (en) * 1994-09-19 1997-10-14 Mauney; Terry Lee Plant growing system
US5732952A (en) * 1997-02-19 1998-03-31 Joseph; Edward A. Baseball-related bucket game
US5758452A (en) * 1996-09-09 1998-06-02 Matteucci; Carlo Floral arranging aid
US5901904A (en) * 1994-04-22 1999-05-11 Avot Beheer B.V. Package to be provided on and around a container and a tool and a method to do so
US6128912A (en) * 1997-10-22 2000-10-10 Floratech Industries, Inc. Floral display case for directly employing wet-pack containers
US20020008134A1 (en) * 1999-10-22 2002-01-24 Southwell James D. Displayable produce container and method for making the same
US20020029519A1 (en) * 2000-01-07 2002-03-14 Weder Donald E. Floral container having a water-impermeable external layer
US20020066227A1 (en) * 2000-12-01 2002-06-06 Caren Wood-Phillips Method and tray for propagating and planting collections of flowers or plants
US6684126B2 (en) * 2000-01-18 2004-01-27 Tosho, Inc. Medicine storage apparatus
US20040031705A1 (en) * 2002-06-17 2004-02-19 Detemple Thomas E. Atmospheric controlled container
US6702114B1 (en) * 1993-07-21 2004-03-09 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Floral grouping wrapper having a detachable portion
US6729069B1 (en) * 2003-02-03 2004-05-04 Gary L. Vollers Tapered wall container with replaceable sleeve
US20040211118A1 (en) * 2003-04-25 2004-10-28 Smith Thomas J. Planting pots and multi-compartment tray having self-orienting configuration
US20050185398A1 (en) * 2004-02-20 2005-08-25 Scannell Robert F.Jr. Multifunction-adaptable, multicomponent devices
US7171781B1 (en) * 2003-01-29 2007-02-06 Amerikan, Llc Plant pot coding
US20070079549A1 (en) * 2005-10-11 2007-04-12 Tony Dillon Quality assurance in a delivery report

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GB2310134B (en) * 1996-02-15 2000-08-09 John Parkin Apparatus and method for forming decorative displays
DE60225574T2 (de) * 2002-12-23 2009-04-16 Cropdesign N.V. Automatisiertes Behandlungssystem für Pflanzbehälter

Patent Citations (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3773213A (en) * 1971-07-23 1973-11-20 Gilbert N Shipping and dispensing container
US4832607A (en) * 1988-07-08 1989-05-23 Wade Manufacturing Co. Watering system display stand
US5205432A (en) * 1989-05-26 1993-04-27 Manx Ices Limited Packaging
US5575107A (en) * 1990-12-14 1996-11-19 Doerr; Gary R. Perfect planting color code, and methods of constructing and utilizing same
US5251751A (en) * 1992-11-02 1993-10-12 Ernest Prussen Color coded kit of rivets according to length
US6702114B1 (en) * 1993-07-21 2004-03-09 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Floral grouping wrapper having a detachable portion
US5335509A (en) * 1993-07-28 1994-08-09 Dianna Namisniak Food inventory system
US5367823A (en) * 1993-08-31 1994-11-29 Ferris; John Apparatus for cut flower storage and display
US5901904A (en) * 1994-04-22 1999-05-11 Avot Beheer B.V. Package to be provided on and around a container and a tool and a method to do so
US5675932A (en) * 1994-09-19 1997-10-14 Mauney; Terry Lee Plant growing system
US5758452A (en) * 1996-09-09 1998-06-02 Matteucci; Carlo Floral arranging aid
US5732952A (en) * 1997-02-19 1998-03-31 Joseph; Edward A. Baseball-related bucket game
US6128912A (en) * 1997-10-22 2000-10-10 Floratech Industries, Inc. Floral display case for directly employing wet-pack containers
US20020008134A1 (en) * 1999-10-22 2002-01-24 Southwell James D. Displayable produce container and method for making the same
US20020029519A1 (en) * 2000-01-07 2002-03-14 Weder Donald E. Floral container having a water-impermeable external layer
US6684126B2 (en) * 2000-01-18 2004-01-27 Tosho, Inc. Medicine storage apparatus
US20020066227A1 (en) * 2000-12-01 2002-06-06 Caren Wood-Phillips Method and tray for propagating and planting collections of flowers or plants
US20040031705A1 (en) * 2002-06-17 2004-02-19 Detemple Thomas E. Atmospheric controlled container
US7171781B1 (en) * 2003-01-29 2007-02-06 Amerikan, Llc Plant pot coding
US6729069B1 (en) * 2003-02-03 2004-05-04 Gary L. Vollers Tapered wall container with replaceable sleeve
US20040211118A1 (en) * 2003-04-25 2004-10-28 Smith Thomas J. Planting pots and multi-compartment tray having self-orienting configuration
US20050185398A1 (en) * 2004-02-20 2005-08-25 Scannell Robert F.Jr. Multifunction-adaptable, multicomponent devices
US20070079549A1 (en) * 2005-10-11 2007-04-12 Tony Dillon Quality assurance in a delivery report

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080315046A1 (en) * 2007-06-20 2008-12-25 Shellie Greto Kiosk, system and method for the pairing flowers and vases
US20130045471A1 (en) * 2011-02-25 2013-02-21 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Training system for investigations of bioengineered proteins
US20150113869A1 (en) * 2013-10-25 2015-04-30 Gregory H. Brown Modular Plant Growing System with Support and Protection Features

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: BURGESS & BURGESS, INC., ILLINOIS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BURGESS, JOANNA S.;REEL/FRAME:017101/0777

Effective date: 20051001

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION