Abstract:
A flower transporting container and method for transporting one or more flowers is provided. The flower transporting container includes a flower receptacle that defines at least one opening, and optionally, a plurality of such openings. Each opening is configured to receive one or more flowers, such as arranged in a bouquet or other flower arrangement. A recess formed in the flower receptacle receives a cooling medium, which cools the plants, flowers, or bouquets of the same during transportation. The flower transporting container protects and cools such plants, flowers, or bouquets of the same to reduce the risk of disarrangement and damage during transportation.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Florists generally transport fresh cut flowers in bouquets or other arrangements to weddings, funerals, or other events. During transportation, the floral bouquets are susceptible to damage and disarrangement. Additionally, the floral bouquets can become overheated or wilted during transportation. Wilted flowers are generally less appealing and desirable than fresh, non-wilted flowers. Devices to transport such floral bouquets are known. 
         [0002]    Sometimes florists wrap the floral bouquets in paper without any moisture dispenser, or frequently pack the floral bouquets with the stems wrapped in water-saturated cotton or a small sponge. Such configurations do not protect the floral bouquets from weather and other natural elements, such as rain or snow. Another known type of transport for maintaining freshness is a small container partially filled with water. Such water-filled containers generally cannot be hermetically sealed and thus tend to leak. 
         [0003]    While such devices provide a particular function, none addresses a broad capability to protect and cool one or more flowers, plants, or floral bouquets of the same during transportation. There is thus a need to provide new and different flower, plant, or floral bouquet transporting devices as well as new and different ways to protect, hydrate, and cool such flowers, plants, and floral bouquets during transportation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a flower, plant, or floral bouquet transporting container supports at least one flower, plant or floral bouquet. The transporting container can support a single plant or flower, a bouquet of plants or flowers, or any other suitable arrangement of plants, flowers, or botanical items. The container includes a floral bouquet receptacle configured to removably receive floral bouquets therein. The floral bouquet receptacle defines at least one opening, and optionally, a plurality of such openings. The configuration of each opening positions and supports one or more floral bouquet inserted therein. In one embodiment, one or more of the floral bouquets are inserted into a vase or other water-carrying holder, which is inserted into one or more of the openings. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the floral bouquet receptacle also defines at least one recess, which is configured to removably receive a cooling medium. In one embodiment, the cooling medium is a gas, liquid, solid, or gel contained in a container. In this instance, the at least one recess is sized and shaped to removably receive the cooling medium container. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a plurality of deflection members defines each opening in the flower receptacle. The deflection members substantially surround a circumference of each opening. Each deflection member deflects when one or more floral bouquets are inserted into the opening. The deflection members engage the floral bouquets or a part thereof (e.g., a stem), which supports the flowers in the openings and helps protect such flowers during the storage and transport thereof. In one embodiment, the deflection members engage a vase or other device capable of holding floral bouquets and providing a water source. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, a housing removably receives the flower receptacle. The flower receptacle can be removed from the housing, which enables access to any of the plants or flowers supported by the flower receptacle. In one such embodiment, the flower receptacle is inserted into the housing so that the housing provides stability and support to the flower receptacle. 
         [0008]    Additional features, objects, and aspects of the disclosed embodiments are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container that includes a housing and a flower receptacle in accordance with one disclosed embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a container that includes a housing and a flower receptacle in accordance with one disclosed embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the housing of the container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the housing shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the flower receptacle of the container shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with one disclosed embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the flower receptacle shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the flower receptacle in accordance with one disclosed embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a partial front view of the flower receptacle in accordance with one disclosed embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of the flower transporting device or container  10  includes a housing  12  and a flower receptacle  14 . The housing  12  defines an open area that receives the flower receptacle  14 . A lid or other covering member  16  closes the open area defined by the housing  12 . The flower receptacle  14  defines at least one opening  18 , and optionally, a plurality of such openings  18  therein. 
         [0018]    Each opening  18  positions and supports at least one flower, plant, or botanical item  20 , such as a single rose, a bouquet of roses, or any other suitable flower or plant. The one or more flowers, plants, and bouquets of the same are referred to herein as a flower arrangement or a floral bouquet  20 . The flower arrangement may include one or more of the same type or different types of flowers or plants. Such flower arrangements or floral bouquets are usually displayed in weddings, funerals, or retail outlets. As illustrated in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the opening  18  directly receives the floral bouquet  20  inserted therethrough. As illustrated in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the opening  18  directly receives a vase or other device for holding floral bouquets  21 . In this embodiment, the floral bouquet  20  is inserted into the vase  21 . In one embodiment, the vase  21  is at least partially filled with water to hydrate the floral bouquets during transport. 
         [0019]    The flower receptacle  14  also defines at least one recess  22 , and optionally, a plurality of such recesses  22  therein. The recess  22  is configured to removably receive a cooling medium  23 . It should be appreciated that the cooling medium may include a liquid, a gas, a solid, or a gel. Examples of the cooling medium include, but are not limited to, water, ice, nitrogen, glycol, or any other suitable liquid, gas, solid, or gel capable of cooling plants or flowers. In one embodiment, the cooling medium  23  is contained in a container or holder, which is sized and shaped to be removably received within the at least one recess  22 . In one embodiment, the cooling medium  23  is an ice pack or dry ice. In this instance, the ice pack or dry ice is sized and shaped to be removably received within the at least one recess  22 . 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one embodiment of the housing  12  includes a blank  24  of cardboard, plastic, foam, composite, or any other suitable material. The blank  24  includes a plurality of side wall portions  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  and a bottom portion  34  connected together along a plurality of foldable lines  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and  42 . The foldable lines  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and  42  enable the wall portions  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  and the bottom portion  34  of the blank  24  to fold into, or otherwise form, the housing  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the housing  12  folds into a box-like configuration. 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a first edge  44  of the wall portion  26  is adjacent to and connected with a first edge  46  of the wall portion  28  along a first fold line  36 . A second edge  48  of the wall portion  28  is adjacent to and connected with a first edge  50  of the wall portion  30  along a second fold line  38 . A second edge  52  of the wall portion  30  is adjacent to and connected with a first edge  54  of the wall portion  32  along a third fold line  40 . A flange  58  extends outwardly from a second edge  56  of the wall portion  32 . 
         [0022]    A first edge  60  of the bottom portion  34  is adjacent to and connected with a second edge  62  of the wall portion  26  along a fourth fold line  42 . A flange  64 ,  66 , and  68  extends outwardly from second, third and fourth edges  70 ,  72 , and  74  of the bottom wall portion  34 , respectively. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates the housing  12  formed into the box-like configuration. To form the housing  12  in this manner, the side wall portion  26  of the blank  24  folds about the first fold line  36 , the side wall portion  28  of the blank  24  folds about the second fold line  38 , and the side wall portion  30  of the blank  24  folds about the third fold line  40 . Flange  58  abuts against and is fixedly secured, such as through adhesive or bonding material, to an inner surface of the side wall portion  26 . The bottom portion  34  of the blank  24  folds about the fourth fold line  42  so that tabs  64 ,  66 , and  68  abut against inner surfaces of side wall portions  32 ,  30 , and  28 , respectively. Tabs  64 ,  66 , and  68  are fixedly secured, such as through adhesive or bonding material, to an inner surface of the side wall portions  32 ,  30  and  28 . Once tabs  64 ,  66 , and  68  are fixedly secured to the respective inner surfaces of the side wall portions  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32 , the blank  24  is formed into the housing  12 . 
         [0024]    Once the housing  12  is assembled, the side wall portions  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  define an open area therebetween. The lid or covering member  16  is configured to cover this opening when the lid  16  is positioned onto the housing  12 . Alternatively, in one embodiment, the container  10  does not include the lid  16 . In one such embodiment, upper edges of the side wall portions  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  are foldable toward the open area. With the upper edges folded toward the open area, the upper edges define a support surface of sufficient strength to support another container  10  thereon. It should be appreciated that the container  12  can be formed into any suitable size and shape. The box-like configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  is one example of such container  12 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , one embodiment of the flower receptacle  14  includes a blank  76  of cardboard, plastic, foam, composite, or any other suitable material. The blank  76  includes a support surface  78  centrally positioned between a plurality of side wall portions  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and  86 . The support surface  78  and the side wall portions  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and  86  connect together along a plurality of foldable lines  88 ,  90 ,  92 , and  94 , respectively. The foldable lines  88 ,  90 ,  92 , and  94  enable the wall portions  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and  86  of the blank  76  to fold into, or otherwise form, the flower receptacle  14 . 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a first edge  96  of the flower support surface  78  is adjacent to and connected with a first edge  98  of the wall portion  80  along the fold line  88 . A second edge  102  of the flower support surface  78  is adjacent to and connected with a first edge  104  of the wall portion  82  along the fold line  90 . A third edge  108  of the flower support surface  78  is adjacent to and connected with a first edge  110  of the wall portion  84  along the fold line  92 . A fourth edge  114  of the flower support surface  78  is adjacent to and connected with a first edge  116  of the wall portion  86  along the fold line  94 . 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the flower support surface  78  includes a plurality of openings  18 . A plurality of deflection elements  120  defines each opening  18 . The deflection elements  120  substantially surround a circumference of each opening  18 . Each deflection member  120  deflects to support the one or more flowers when inserted into one of the openings  18 . 
         [0028]    The number of the openings  18  in the support surface  78  can vary as desired by the manufacturer of the flower receptacle  14 . For example, the support surface can include one opening  18  or a plurality of openings  18 . Similarly, the size and shape of the openings  18  can vary as desired by the manufacturer of the container  10  and/or the flower receptacle  14 . For example, one of the openings  18  may be larger (e.g., have a larger diameter) than at least one other of the openings  18 . In another example, one of the openings  18  may be a different shape than another one of the openings  18  (e.g., one opening may be circular while another may be oval-shaped). It should be appreciated that the support structure  78  of the flower receptacle  14  can define any suitable number of openings  18  of the same or different sizes and of the same or different shapes. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, at least one of the side wall portions  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and  86  of the blank  76  define the recess  22  therein. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 to 8 , the wall portions  80  and  84  each define one recess  22  therein. In another embodiment, one of or all of the wall portions  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and  86  of the blank  76  define the recess  22  therein. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 to 8 , and described above, at least one recess  22  is formed in the wall portion  80  to removably receive a cooling medium capable of cooling plants or flowers, such as the cooling medium  23  described above. Each recess  22  includes a floor or bottom wall  122  connected between a front wall  124  and a rear wall  126 . The floor  122  separates the front wall  124  from the rear wall  126 . The floor  122  and the rear wall  126  provide a substantially L-shaped support for the cooling medium  23 . A pair of longitudinal extensions  128  extend adjacent to the floor  122  and the rear wall  126 . In one embodiment, the longitudinal extensions  128  extend upwardly (i.e., vertically) in the substantially same plane as the front wall  124 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the cooling medium  23  is contained in a sealed or substantially sealed container. One example of such a cooling medium  23  is an ice pack. In one such embodiment, the floor  122 , the front wall  124 , the rear wall  126 , and the extensions  128  of each recess  22  are sized and shaped to removably receive the container of the cooling medium  23 . In another embodiment, the recess  22  is sized and shaped to removably receive at least one ice pack. Alternatively, the cooling medium is positioned directly into the recess  22  without being contained by a container. It should be appreciated that the cooling medium may include water, ice, nitrogen, glycol, or any other suitable liquid, gas or gel. 
         [0032]    In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the flower receptacle  14  is configured to be positioned into the open area defined by the side wall portions  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  of the housing  12 . In such position, the housing  12  and the flower receptacle  14  are sized and shaped so that the side wall portions  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  of the housing  12  substantially abut against the side wall portions  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and  86  of the flower receptacle  14 . This substantial abutment helps reduce movement of any flower arrangements supported by the flower receptacle  14  during transport, and maintain any containers of cooling medium positioned in the recesses  22 . 
         [0033]    The side wall portions  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  extend upwardly and have a greater height than the side wall portions  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and  86  of the flower receptacle  14 . This greater height affords protection to any flower arrangements supported by the flower support structure. 
         [0034]    In an alternative embodiment, the housing  12  and the flower receptacle  14  form a single, integral flower transporting container. In one such embodiment, the first, second, third and fourth edges of the flower support surface of the support structure  14  are integral with the inner surfaces of the wall portions of the housing to form a single, integral container. In one embodiment, the container  10  includes a stand-alone flower receptacle  14 , which may be formed from a non-foldable and partially rigid construction. 
         [0035]    It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended aspects. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.