APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE CONSERVATION, SHIPMENT AND EXHIBITION OF FRESH FLOWERS

Abstract

The present disclosure includes an apparatus and method of use to facilitate storing, conserving and exhibition of individual fresh flowers or small individual bundles of fresh flowers.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the conservation, shipment and exhibition of fresh flowers comprising; a closed external box, having at least one perforation in its lateral walls and one or more upper hinged lids; a grid insert within the external box wherein the grid insert consists of (i) four (4) exterior walls and (ii) two (2) or more interior walls that extend between opposed exterior walls, said interior walls intersecting with each other to form a plurality of storage and transport regions for individual fresh flowers or individual fresh flower bundles; a bucket which includes a water hydrated foam; a plurality of individual fresh flowers or individual bundles of fresh flowers wherein the individual fresh flower or individual fresh flower bundle is inserted into one of the storage and transport regions and, the stems of the individual fresh flowers or individual bundles of fresh flowers are stuck into the hydrated foam; and at least one protective stick that extends from the bucket and/or hydrated foam through each of the storage and transport regions to the one or more upper hinged lids.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an inner box to support the grid insert.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which the inner box further comprises a semi-open top and at least one perforation in its lateral walls which perforation is at least partially co-linear with the perforation in the external box.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the grid insert further comprises one or more hinged lids.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, in which the semi-open top of the inner box is defined as a square circumscribed by another, where the interior square has its perimeter modified by outwardly bending portions shaped as arches and wherein an opening whose perimeter is defined by the modified interior square is sized to firmly hold the bucket for exhibition of the fresh flowers when removed for the external box and inverted.

11. A method of using the apparatus defined in claim 1 comprising; receiving delivery of the apparatus; opening the closed external box; removing the bucket with fresh flowers, protective sticks and hydrated foam; and removing the protective sticks from the fresh flowers.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the grid insert is removed from the apparatus after the external box is opened and before removing the bucket with fresh flowers, protective sticks and hydrated foam from the external box.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the grid insert is removed from the external box with the bucket with fresh flowers, protective sticks and hydrated foam and after removal with the bucket with fresh flowers, protective sticks and hydrated foam the grid insert is moved from an upper region of the flower to a lower region near the flower stems or bucket.

14. A method of using the apparatus defined in claim 5 comprising; receiving delivery of the apparatus; opening closed the external box; removing the bucket with fresh flowers, protective sticks and hydrated foam from the external box; removing the inverted exhibition box from the external box; and placing the bucket with the fresh flowers in the semi-open top of the exhibition box after turning it right side up for exhibition of the fresh flowers.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the grid insert is removed from the apparatus after the external box is opened and before removing the bucket with fresh flowers, protective sticks and hydrated foam from the external box.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the grid insert is removed from the external box with the bucket with fresh flowers, protective sticks and hydrated foam and after removal with the bucket with fresh flowers, protective sticks and hydrated foam the grid insert is moved from an upper region of the flower to a lower region near the flower stems or bucket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view drawing of the exterior of the shipping container of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a combination perspective view showing an embodiment of the grid insert and the exterior of an exhibition box that may be contained within the container of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the inverted exhibition box which includes a specially shaped opening for secure support of a bucket of fresh flowers.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a prospective view of the shipping container of FIG. 1 which is includes the inner exhibition box and grid insert in phantom.

[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the primary contents of the shipping container of FIG. 1 showing the container of FIG. 1 opened, the exhibition box removed therefrom and disposed directly above the opened container of FIG. 1, above which is the bucket and a plastic bag.

[0017] FIG. 6 shows a prospective view of the shipping assembly of FIG. 1 which is complete with its contents packaged therein and with the contents all shown in phantom.

[0018] FIG. 7A-7C is a prospective view with sequence drawings of the grid insert with individual bundles of flowers being inserted into the grid insert and into the shipping container of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of the grid that may be contained within the container of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a combination perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of the grid insert and the exterior of an exhibition box that may be contained within the container of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the primary contents of the shipping container of FIG. 1 showing the container of FIG. 1 opened, the exhibition box removed therefrom and disposed directly above the opened container of FIG. 1, above which is the bucket and a plastic bag and the alternative grid insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various other forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limited, but merely as a basis for the claims and as representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0023] Reference now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the various figures are designated by same reference numerals.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of one component the present invention, particularly the shipping container 12 which is a box, preferably made of corrugated cardboard, with a closed base (not visible), built in a rectangular parallelogram shape, where the shipping container 12 comprises one or more upper hinged lids 14 for closing the shipping container 12, a plurality of aeration perforations 16, preferably in the shape of flattened ovals in all of the lateral walls of the shipping container 12 as well as a handle opening 18. A second handle opening that is a mirror image of handle opening 18 on the back of the box is not visible. The shipping container 12 has outer dimensions as indicated by x, y and z and inner dimensions x, y and z (not fully shown).

[0025] FIG. 2 shows the grid insert 200 and an inner ox 20 which may optionally function as an exhibition box 20 in certain embodiments. The grid insert 200 shown in FIG. 2 has 9 storage and transport regions 201 which are formed by horizontal intersecting grid walls 210. Alternative embodiments of the grid insert 200 may comprise any number of storage and transport regions 201 formed by a plurality of intersecting grid walls. The number of storage and transport regions 201 may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or more. The grid insert 200 may be made of any suitable ridged material such as corrugated cardboard and is shaped in the same shape as the shipping container 12. The outer dimensions of the grid inert 200, x.sub.g and y.sub.g are equal to, slightly greater or slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of x and y of shipping container 12. As used herein slightly refers to a difference of about 0.001%, 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 1.0% or any range encompassed by the foregoing values. In certain embodiments the outer dimensions of the grid inert 200, x.sub.g, and y.sub.g allow for the grid insert 200 to be positioned in the interior space defined by the shipping container 12 with minimum or no movement of the grid insert 200 during transport, i.e., friction fitted.

[0026] FIG. 2 further shows the interior box (exhibition box) 20 which also contains a plurality of handle perforations 18 that are co-linear to the handle perforations 18 in the shipping container 12 and also plurality of aeration perforations 16, preferably flattened oval perforations, that are co-linear with the aeration perforations 16 of shipping container box 12. The aeration perforations 16 in FIGS. 1 and 2 are formed in all lateral walls thereof shipping container 12 and inner/inner exhibition box 20 to facilitate breathing and aeration of the fresh flowers. The exhibition box 20 and grid insert 200 of FIG. 2 are placed inside shipping container 12 as shown in lines phantom in FIGS. 4 and 6.

[0027] The inner/exhibition box 20 may be made of any suitable ridged material such as corrugated cardboard and is shaped in the same shape as the shipping container 12. The outer dimensions of the exhibition box 20, x.sub.e, and y.sub.e are equal to, slightly greater or slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of x and y of shipping container 12. In certain embodiments the outer dimensions of the grid inert 200, x.sub.g and y.sub.g are equal to, slightly greater or slightly smaller than the outer dimensions of the inner/exhibit box 20 x.sub.e, and y.sub.e. In certain embodiments the outer dimensions of the inner/exhibition box 20, x.sub.e, and y.sub.e allow for the grid insert 200 to be positioned in the interior space defined by the shipping container 12 with minimum or no movement, i.e., friction fitted, of the inner/exhibition box 20 and grid insert 200 during shipment of the complete packaging assembly.

[0028] The height of the grid insert 200, z.sub.g and the height of the inner exhibition box 20, z.sub.e should be less than or equal to the interior height z of the shipping container 12. In certain embodiments, the height of the grid insert 200 z.sub.g may be greater than or equal to the height of the bucket 26 which holds the hydrated florist foam. In this embodiment the outer perimeter height z.sub.g of the grid insert 200 is larger than the height of the horizontal intersecting grid walls. This height differential will allow the grid insert 200 to cover the bucker 26 and provide separation and support for the individual flower or flower bundles 28 when displayed by the retail seller.

[0029] Exhibition box 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has a semi-open top 22 which includes an opening having a custom symmetric geometric shape. The top 22 can be described as a square circumscribed by another square that is the external dimensions of the exhibition box 20. The inner square has its perimeter modified by portions shaped as outwardly bending arches. Note once again that exhibition box 20 is placed upside down in shipping container 12 such that the plurality of flattened oval aeration perforations 16 of both boxes are co-linear as are the plurality of handle openings 18 in both the interior exhibition box 20 and exterior shipping container 12. This is shown in the FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The arrangement of the exhibition box 20 and grid insert 200 inside the shipping container 12 in a snug fitting relationship to provide reinforced walls, which offer additional protection for the flowers during their storage and shipment. Also in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be seen a plastic bag 24 in which is placed bucket 26. Bucket 26 has a greater outside diameter than plastic bag, 24 which facilitates bucket 26 to be tightened to the lateral internal walls of the exhibition box 20. Further shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 that the plastic bag 24 and bucket 26 are inserted to the inside bottom of the assembly of the two boxes and the top of the plastic bag 24 is kept open during shipment to ensure breathing and aeration of the fresh flowers as described in subsequent drawings.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the individual flowers or individual bundle of flowers 28 may further comprise individual plastic bags or wrappings 25. The wrappings should remain open at the top end allowing the flowers in the bundle to be exposed and at the bottom so the flower stems may are exposed and can be inserted into the hydrated florist foam 30 which is in the bucket 26 and to ensure breathing and aeration of the fresh flowers.

[0031] In FIGS. 6, 7A 7B and 7CB, the stems of the individual flowers or individual flower bundles 28 are arranged in bucket 26 inside of a block of florist foam 30, preferably circular in shape or other shape corresponding to the interior dimensions of the bucket 26. The block of florist foam is soaked with water such that all of the water is trapped in the foam 30, but continuously available to the stems of flowers 28. Also contained within plastic bag 24 and plastic wrapping 25 are a plurality of protective sticks 32, preferably at least one stick 32 for each individual flower or flower bundle. The protective sticks 32 protect the individual flowers of flower bundles 28 from being crushed in the vertical dimension during the shipment process. The individual flowers or individual flower bundles 28 are inserted one by one into one of the storage and transport regions 201 of the grid insert 200 and into the florist foam 30 so that each flower stem is immersed in the soaked florist foam to maintain hydration throughout the storage and shipping process.

[0032] Once the open plastic bag 24, open plastic wrap 25, bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32, flowers 28 and grid insert 200 and inverted exhibition box 20 are arranged and assembled in the exterior shipping container 12, the lids 14 of the shipping container 12 may be closed and sealed for shipment. Note that the protective sticks 32 as seen in FIGS. 6, 7A-7C extend from the bucket 26 and/or florist foam to the internal lid 14 surface, i.e., at least for the entire internal height z of external shipping box 12 when the lids 14 are closed. At this point the individual flowers or individual flower bundles 28 are ready for their preservation, storage and shipment to domestic or international destinations.

[0033] Once the shipping container assembly (open plastic bag 24, open plastic wrap 25, bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32, flowers 28, grid insert 200, inverted inner/exhibition box 20 and the exterior shipping container 12) arrive the desired destination, external container 12 is opened and the display assembly (open plastic bag 24, open plastic wrap 25, bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32, flowers 28, grid insert 200 and inverted exhibition box 20) is removed. The open plastic bag 24 is removed and the inner exhibition box 20 is inverted so that the top with the custom symmetric geometric shape 22 is now at the top and is ready to receive bucket 26, with individual flowers or individual flower bundles 28 still wrapped in the plastic wrap 25 and inserted into soaked florist foam 30 for exhibition of the product. Thus, the retailer employee who receives the package needs only to open the top lids 14 of the exterior shipping container 12, pull out the bag 24 and take out the contents, namely bucket 26, florist foam 30 and protective sticks 32 from the plastic bag 24. The plastic bag 24 and protective sticks 32 can be set aside. Then the flowers 28, bucket 26 and florist foam 30 can be inserted to the semi-open custom symmetric geometric shape 22 of the exhibition box 20. The flowers 28 can be displayed with or without additional hydration such that no skill and experience in the handling of perishables is required.

[0034] In some embodiments the grid insert 200 may be retained to aid in keeping the individual flowers or individual flower bundles 28 separated during the display stage. In this embodiment the outer perimeter height of the grid insert z.sub.g is preferably larger than the height of the horizontal intersecting grid walls 210. This height differential will allow the grid insert 200 to cover the bucket 26 and provide separation and support for the individual flower or individual flower bundles 28 when displayed at the retail seller. In this embodiment, the protective sticks 32 may also be removed.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the grid insert 200 may further comprise one or more upper hinged lids 214. The other features of the packaging system shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are similar to those described above. As shown in FIG. 8, the grid insert 200 comprises a single upper hinged lid 214 which has similar dimensions, y.sub.g and x.sub.g as the insert grid 200. In alternative aspects of this embodiment, the insert grid may comprise two or four upper hinged lids 214.

[0036] Once the open plastic bag 24, open plastic wrap 25, bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32, flowers 28 and grid insert 200 and inverted exhibition box 20 are arranged and assembled in the exterior shipping container 12, the upper hinged lids 214 of the insert grid 200 and the lids 14 of the shipping container 12 may be closed and sealed for shipment. In this alternative embodiment the protective sticks 32 as seen in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 extend from the bucket 26 and/or florist foam to the internal surface of the upper hinged lid 214. At this point the individual flowers or individual flower bundles 28 are ready for their preservation, storage and shipment to domestic or international destinations.

[0037] Another alternative aspect of the present invention, comprises the open plastic bag 24, open plastic wrap 25, bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32, flowers 28, grid insert 200 and the exterior shipping container 12 as previously described but without the inner exhibition box 20. In this embodiment, the grid insert 200 may be held in place in the exterior shipping container 12 by any number of means such as friction between the interior walls of the exterior shipping container 12 and the exterior walls of the grid insert 200 and/or one or more retaining means on the interior wall of the exterior shipping container 12. Examples of the one or more retaining means on the interior wall of the exterior shipping container 12 include, but are not limited to, (i) two or more internal reinforcing panels; (ii) two or more inwardly projecting flaps; or (iii) combinations of (i) and (ii).

[0038] In one embodiment of this further alternative aspect, the internal reinforcing panels may comprise two or more rigid sheets or strips, preferably corrugated cardboard with the same thickness as the perimeter walls of the grid insert. The two or more rigid sheets or strips may be attached to the interior walls of the exterior shipping container 12 so the upper edge of the rigid sheets or strips contact and support the perimeter walls of the grid insert 200. In a preferred embodiment, the rigid sheet or strips comprise two sheets or strips of corrugated cardboard adhered to the interior walls of the exterior shipping container 12 and may further comprise handle perforations 18 that are co-linear to the handle perforations 18 in the shipping container 12 and/or aeration perforations 16 that are co-linear with the aeration perforations 16 of shipping container 12 as previously described for the inner/exhibition box 20. In this embodiment the height of the rigid sheets or strips combined with the height of the grid insert 200 should equal the interior height x of the exterior shipping container 12. The rigid sheet or strips can be permanently adhered to the interior surface of the exterior shipping container 12 using conventional methods such as adhesive, glue, tape, spot welding or any other known means. The rigid sheet or strips may also be temporarily or releasably attached to the interior surface of the exterior shipping container 12 for example by a hinged flap that extends inwardly from the exterior shipping container 12 and through a corresponding or co-linear opening in the rigid sheet or strip. For example, the handle perforation 18 may be formed in the external shipping container wall by cutting or perforating three sides of the desired handle opening. The rigid sheet will have a co-linear handle opening with or without the three sided cut or perforation section. The cut or perforation handle of the exterior shipping container 12 can be pushed into the interior of the exterior shipping container 12 and through the co-linear opening in the inner rigid sheet or strip and folded upwardly to secure the rigid sheet or strip to the interior wall of the exterior shipping container 12. This hinged flap assembly may also be formed with one or more of the oval aeration perforations 16 in the exterior shipping container 12 and the co-linear aeration perforations on the rigid sheet or strip if desired. Examples of this hinged flap assembly can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,933,303 and 4,331,289 which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0039] The foregoing provides a detailed description of embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention, while the following provides a detailed description of various methods of using the apparatus.

[0040] One of the methods commences with receipt of at least one shipping container assembly comprising an open plastic bag 24, at least one bucket 26, at least one hydrated florist foam 30, a grid insert 200, an inner box 20 or inverted exhibition box 20, an exterior shipping container box 12, a plurality of protection sticks 32 and a plurality of individual flowers or individual flower bundles 28, with or without plastic wrapping 25, at a desired destination. The closed shipping container 12 is opened and the plastic bag 24 with bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32, flowers 28 and optionally grid insert 200 is removed is removed from the exterior shipping container 12 and the inner box 20 or interior inverted exhibition box 20. The grid insert 200 may be removed prior to removal of the plastic bag 24 or alternatively if the grid insert 200 is within the plastic bag 24 during shipping, the grid insert 200 may remain in the plastic bag along with the bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32 and flowers 28. After the plastic bag 24 with the bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32, flowers 28 and optionally grid insert 200 is removed, the exhibition box 20 is also removed and turned right side up because it was upside down in the shipping container 12. Alternatively the exhibition box 20 with the plastic bag 24, bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32, flowers 28 and optionally grid insert 200 is removed, then the plastic bag 24, bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32, flowers 28 and optionally grid insert 200 is removed from the removed exhibition box 20. After the plastic bag 24 is removed, the bucket 26 containing the fresh flowers 28 is inserted into the custom symmetric geometric shaped opening 22 at the top of the exhibition box 20 for the exhibition of the flowers 28. The protective sticks 32 may also be removed at any of the foregoing steps. Water may also be added to the bucket 26 at any of the foregoing step, preferably once the bucket 26 has been placed into the custom symmetric geometric shaped opening 22.

[0041] As stated above, in some embodiments the grid insert 200 may be retained to aid in keeping the individual flowers or individual flower bundles 28 separated during the display stage, to cover the bucket 26 and/or provide a surface to apply product information such a type of flower and cost of flower(s).

[0042] Another method, particularly for the alternative aspect without the inner exhibition box 20, commences with receipt of at least one shipping container assembly comprising an open plastic bag 24, a bucket 26, florist foam 30, a plurality of protective sticks 32, a plurality of individual flowers or individual flower bundles 28 (with or without a plastic wrap 25), an grid insert 200 and an exterior shipping container 12 at a desired destination. The closed shipping container 12 is opened and the plastic bag 24 with the bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32, flowers 28 and optionally grid insert 200 is removed from the exterior shipping container 12. The grid insert 200 may be removed prior to removal of the plastic bag 24 or alternatively if the grid insert 200 is within the plastic bag 24 the grid insert 200 may remain in the plastic bag 24 with the bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32 and flowers 28. After the plastic bag 24 with the bucket 26, florist foam 30, protective sticks 32, flowers 28 and optionally grid insert 200 are removed from the exterior shipping container 12, the plastic bag 24 and protective sticks 32 are removed to expose the individual flowers or individual flower bundles 28 for sale or dispensing. Water may also be added to the bucket 26 at any of the foregoing steps. As stated above, in some embodiments the grid insert 200 may be retained to aid in keeping the individual flowers or individual flower bundles 28 separated during the display stage, to cover the bucket 26 and/or provide a surface to apply product information such a type of flower and flower cost.

[0043] The invention described herein may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, in each instance herein, any of the terms comprising, consisting essentially of and consisting of may be replaced with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the claims.