A FLEXIBLE PLIABLE RETAINING PACKAGE FOR FLOWERS AND PLANTS

Abstract: A containing package of carboard for flowers and plants and the method for manufacturing such a package, said package being pliable in such a manner, that the flowers and plants can be forwarded safely in it and can be displayed at delivery in this package in its partly fold-out position, which functions as a vase or as a flower-pot, having a bottom (1), side planes (2) and connecting flaps (3).

Description: A flexible pliable retainingpackage for flowers and plants. The present invention is related to a flexible pliable retaining package for flowers and plants, hich can be used as a packing for carrying or as a vase or flower-pot,while water for keeping said flowers or plants fresh and,if so desired,moist vegetable cultivation earth or moss for fixed plants can be put into it. For the packing and forwarding of cut flowers,e.g. as air freight ; rectangular board boxes are already known,which have several openings in the side walls. In order to keep cut flowers fresh and in good cosdition, cases have been suggested, which might retain water. Such a case has been described in Journal "Adformatie" nr. 24, page 131, of June 12th, 1986. These referred cases for the transport of cut flowers consist of an open rectangular water box of water-resistant impregnated corrugated card- board and a lid or cover box, which is rectangular as well and which is put over the water-resistant box and provided with blanked levers. Such a box provides a good protection of the vulnerable product during forwarding, however it cannot be fold up, and it is not suited and not appropriate to serve as a vase or as a flower-pot for domestic use as well. It is well-known,that on celebrations, festive occasions, jubilees etc., many bouquets and flowers and plants are delivered, while it becomes often apparent,that there is no sufficient number of pots, baskets,vases or containers for same available. This occurs also many times in hospitals and in hotels. A package or container, which could be stored in folded up form,is easier to keep in stock and can be used for several purposes. For similar cases it would be very advantageous for the customer if a kind of package could be delivered,which can be transformed into a vase of esthetically acceptable shape. Such a container can be printed with a logo or slogan,which renders a significant character to the article. The article according to the present invention is a container made of a piano of flat coated card-board. The size, adapted to the size of the cut flowers or of the bouquet, can be fold out and is kept in its partly or more or less fold-out shape, as desired, by means of a string,which extends around the upper part and which surrounds the side parts, and the ends of said-tring.are then tied together. In this way the article forms a vase-like container, hich is open at its top side. Upon the bottom some water or vegetable earth or a moss mould or a holding means for the stalks of flowers can be put. The packaging container is made according to the present invention by folding a quadrangular piano of waterproof-coated or plastic-lined card-board along creased folding lines,which are in cross-form and diagonal, such that four side planes standing up to a variable degree around a square bottom surface are formed, said side planes being connected to each other by inwardly fold flaps, creating in the middle an almost quandrangular empty space,having a height conformably to the height of the side planes, while said side planes are provided with perforated small holes near to the edge in their upper part, a string being pulled through said small holes, to the effect that said container is kept entirely collapsible or fold outward in the desired position by said string 7 which is put around said planes and kept at its place through said holes. Fold out in minor or in major degree the container acquires the shape of an open vase and can be used as such. With a plastic .bag covering the upper part it can be used as a retaining package. An amount of water or of moist earth or moss can be poured into the container, because the card board material is impermeably coated and the side planes are connected with each other by flaps,which are waterproof as well. The card-board may be flexible packaging card-board such as pliable card-board, Bristol Board or kraft-lined coated corrugated board. Pliable cardboard coated with polypropylene is very suitable for this purpose, but other coated types of cardboard and of flexible plastic can also be used, such as e.g. cardboard coated on one side with polyethylene or polypropylene and -on the other side with aluminium foil. For the transport a plastic bag can be put over the upper side or over the entire container. The string can be paper-rope or canvass or rubber or a plastic rope. The invention is further elucidated with reference to the annexed figures 1 ,2 and 3. Figure 1 shows the flat piano of cardboard with the creased folding lines. Figure 2 shows the container in its folded-in position. Figure 3 shows an aspect in partly folded-out position as a vase for flowers. In the lower part some water or earth or moss or a fixation for the flower stalks may be done. In the figures ( 1 ) is the square bottom plane, (2) are the four side - planes to be fold upwards, (3) are the connecting flaps to be fold inwards, which form the pliable connection between said side planes (21 and (4) are the small perforated holes in the said side planes (2) near to the edges of same, for the string (5), which is put around the said side planes (2) and around the connecting flaps (3). This kind of packaging device is envisaged to become of considerable importance for cultivators, importers and exporters of flowers, bouquets and bulb plants.

Claims: [received by the International Bureau on 15 January 1988 (15.01.88) original claims 1-4 and 6 amended; claim 5 unchanged (1 page)] 1. A foldable packaging container for transport and display of flowers and plants, wherein water for keeping fresh and, if desired, a holding means, or moss or earth can be added, characterized in that said container is made from a quadrangular piano of waterproof-coated or plastic-lined cardboard fold along creased folding lines, which are in crossform and diagonal over the surface of the piano, such that four side planes (2) , standing up to a variable degree around a square bottom surface (1) are formed, said side planes (2) being connected to each other by inwardly fold flaps (3), creating in the middle an almost quadrangular empty space having a height conformably to the height of the side planes (2), while said side planes (2) are provided with perforated small holes (4) near to the edge in their upper part, a string (5) being pulled through said small holes, to the effect that said container is kept either entirely collapsible or fold outward in the desired position by said s-tring, which is put around said planes (2) and kept at its place through said holes. • 2. A foldable packaging container according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of the piano is foldable cardboard or corrugated cardboard impermeable by impregnation, coating or lining with a water- repellent plastic. 3. A foldable packaging container according to claim 2, characterized in that the coating is a film of polypropylene. 4. A foldable packaging container according to claim 2, characterized in that the coating consists of polyethylene and aluminium foil. 5. A vase for flowers, mainly or only consisting of a foldable container according to claim 1. 6. A method of manufacture of a foldable packaging container for flowers and plants, characterized in that a waterproof cardboard piano of quadrangular shape is cut, creased with folding lines in cross-form and diagonal over its surface, and a pair of small holes is punched in the middle of each side near to the edge, and a string of sufficient length is pulled through said small holes.

Inventors: VAN DEN HOOGEN LAMBERTUS ANTON, VAN DEN HOOGEN, LAMBERTUS, ANTONIUS, MARIA
Applicants: HOOGEN LAMBERTUS A DEN, VAN DEN HOOGEN, LAMBERTUS, ANTONIUS, MARIA
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B65D5
IPC codes: A47G7, B65D5, B65D85