Abstract:
A horticultural cut flower container assembly having a triangular shaped piece of flexible foam material with the ends of the triangular shaped foam material being adapted to be folded over the stem ends of a bunch of cut flowers. An elastic band is placed over the folded foam material to hold foam material in a folded configuration and an outer plastic bag is placed over the folded foam material and stem ends.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/670,531 filed on Sept. 26, 2003. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the use of a wrap for transporting cut flowers and plants. More particularly, this invention relates to a triangular shaped stem wrap formed of polyisocyanate foam material using diphenylmethane diisocyanates which is folded around flower stems, secured with an elastic band and sleeved within a plastic bag. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to floriculture. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and method for holding the stems of cut flowers during shipment and hydrating the flowers. 
     II. Discussion of Background 
     The flower industry is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. In the U.S. alone, sales of cut roses exceed hundreds of million dollars per year. The most popular varieties of rose often retail for several dollars per rose. Sales of other cut flowers and plants such as bamboo are also substantial. 
     It is a common practice to sustain the life of cut flowers by means of inserting the end of the plant stem in a reservoir containing a liquid such as water. Flowers start to wilt just a few hours after cutting unless they are supplied with water and nutrients. The first indication of wilting is when the stem starts to bend just below the flower head. As the stem bends, the flower head droops and the flow of water up the stem is impeded. Soon afterwards, the flower petals start to discolor and the flower dies. In shipment from the grower, cut flowers are generally wrapped in newspaper or shredded paper or fiber and covered with a paper or plastic sleeve. In shipping the cut flowers are often stored under uncontrolled temperatures which can cause dehydration and destruction of lots or individual flowers. 
     Many techniques are available for extending the useful life of cut flowers, including changing their water regularly, adding preservatives to the water, trimming the stems, keeping the flowers away from direct sunlight, and refrigerating them. Even when such precautions are taken, cut flowers start to wilt after a few days. 
     A number of devices have been used for supporting and shipping cut flowers. For example, a spacing disc for a conical paper flower container having a plurality of spaced tear-shaped openings for holding flower stems as is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,767,104 issued Oct. 23, 1973. Flowers can be fixed to a continuous strip, which is then rolled in such a fashion that the flowers are isolated from one another to facilitate storage and transport as is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,840 issued Apr. 25, 1972. Holders for cut flowers include a flexible paper cover for protecting the flower petals as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,271,922 issued Sept. 13, 1966 and a cardboard sleeve for receiving the stems as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 2,247,191 issued Jun. 24, 1941. A waterproof wrapper for corsage stems is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 1,044,260 issued Nov. 12, 1912. 
     There is a need for a simple, easy-to-use container for cut flowers which keep the flowers hydrated during wholesale shipment and/or delivery from the florist to the end user. The container should not damage the stems of the flower when wrapped and should hold the stems firmly, allowing air water and nutrients to contact each stem and be simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A triangular shaped foam material is wrapped over the cut ends of the stems of cut flowers with the sides folded over to form a wrap covering the stems. The wrap is held in place with an elastic band over the ends of the stems. The wrap is constructed of a sterile diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) foam material having at least 50% of its pores ranging in size from 10 to 200 microns. The wrap is dipped into water and is then placed in a plastic bag. 
     The present invention provides a novel cut plant container for providing liquid to a cut flower wherein a substantial amount of the liquid required by the plant is presented to the cut end of the plant stem for preserving the life of a cut flower. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a horticultural container for cut flowers having a homogeneous horticultural foam material which is sterile. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a horticultural container for cut flowers which hydrates flowers in shipment. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a horticultural container for cut flowers which directs water held in the foam to the stems. 
     It is still another object of the invention to provide a horticultural container for cut flowers which can be economically fabricated to fit a wide variety of stem bunch sizes. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a horticultural container for cut flowers which can be easily applied by the shipper or florist to bunches of cut flowers. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent when considered with the teachings contained in the detailed disclosure along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of triangular shaped foam member of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the foam wrap of  FIG. 1  with a broken away portion of the flower stems being placed in the middle of the foam member; 
         FIG. 3  is a sequential perspective view of the foam member of  FIG. 2  showing a first comer portion of the triangular wrap being folded over the ends of the flower stems; 
         FIG. 4  is a sequential perspective view of  FIG. 3  showing a second corner portion of the triangular wrap being folded over the end portion; 
         FIG. 5  is a sequential perspective view of a  FIG. 4  showing the third corner portion of the triangular wrap folded over the second corner portion and the wrap held in place with an elastic band; 
         FIG. 6  is a sequential perspective view of  FIG. 5  showing the wrap and stems being inserted into a plastic bag; 
         FIG. 7  is a final package of the flower stems and wrap with the plastic bag being sealed over a sleeve covering the flower blooms; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the triangular shaped foam member with an integral VELCRO® covered strap; 
         FIG. 9  is sequential perspective view of the foam member of  FIG. 8  being folded over the ends of flower stems; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the flower stems wrapped in the foam member of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . 
     The invention is directed toward a triangular shaped foam member  10  formed of an aromatic polyisocyanate polymer diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) flexible foam material using no filler material which hydrates cut flowers in shipment by directing water absorbed in the foam wrap to the stems. 
     The polyisocyanate used in the foam material is an aromatic polyisocyanate which includes aromatic diisocyanates having 6 to 16 carbon atoms (excluding those contained in NCO groups; this applies to the polyisocyanates mentioned below), aromatic triisocyanates having 6 to 20 carbon atoms and crude products of these isocyanates, etc. Examples of aromatic polyisocyanate include 1,3- and 1,4-phenylene diisocyanates, 2,4- and/or 2,6-tolylene diisocyanates (TDI), crude TDI and 2,4′- and/or 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) as well as crude MDI. 
     The preferred material which is used as the foam material in the invention is one or more of 2,2′-, 2,4′- and 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), crude MDI, products of crude diaminodiphenyl methane where the crude diaminodiphenyl methane is a polymeric MDI or a mixture of the same; or is a mixture of diaminodiphenyl methane and a small amount (e.g., 5 to 20 mass %) of a polyamine having three or more functional groups; polyallyl polyisocyanate (PAPI), etc. 
     Such material is readily obtained in the market place and examples of same for purposes of showing commercial availability but which should not be construed as limiting are: BASF M-20S, and Rubinate 1680, Rubinate 1790, Rubinate 7302, Rubinate 7400, Rubinate 8700, Rubinate 9410 and Suprasec DNR all of which are available from ICI Americas. 
     The material is foamed in a conventional manner with a blowing agent such as carboxylic acids and anhydrides. It is important that no filler material is added to the foamed material and the material is substantially sterile with a neutral pH ranging from 6.8 to 7.8. The term substantially sterile is used in a horticultural sense and not as a medical term meaning the material is free from plant disease, microbes, fungus, insects, disease, algae and animal life. 
     The material has a pore size with total porosity ranging from 85% to 95%, preferably from 90% to 92% with an air space ranging from 25 to 35%, preferably about 30%. Air space is the percent volume of a component which is filled with air after the material is saturated and allowed to drain. For a given density and moisture content, Total Porosity+Container Capacity+Air Space. The present invention has a density of 1.00 to 3.00 preferably about 1.35 pounds per cubic foot and tensile strength ranging from 7.5 to 9.5, preferably at 8.0 psi per minute. The tear strength ranges from 0.18 to 0.22, preferably 0.2. Total porosity is the percent by volume of the foam that is comprised of pores. This is the volume fraction which provides the water and aeration in the foam material. The total porosity+the percent solids=100%. At least 40% to 60%, preferably about 50% of the foam material volume of the material contains pores ranging in size between 10 and 200 microns, preferably from about 40 to about 90 microns. These pores sizes are defined as mesopores which are responsible for water retention. 
     The micropore fraction (0.2 to 10 microns) of the foam material may range from 15% to 25% by foam volume, and preferably is held constant at about 20%. Micropores are responsible for water reserve and consist of open and closed pore cubic inch of foam. 
     The macropore fraction of the foam material ranges from 25% to 35%, preferably about 30% of the foam volume and contains pores ranging in size between 300-800 microns. These macropores are responsible for drainage and aeration. 
     The triangle shape is preferably that of an isosceles triangle with equal sides ranging from 9 inches to 12 inches. Preferably, the triangle has equal sides of 10 inches in length and a hypotenuse of 14 inches. The thickness of the foam material ranges from 1/4  inch to 1 1/2  inch with the preferred thickness being 1/4  inch. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 2 , the flower stems  20  of a bunch of flowers are placed in the middle  12  of the triangular foam structure member  10 . A corner portion  14  of the triangular member  10  is folded over the cut ends  22  of the flower stems  20 . A second corner portion  16  of the triangular member  10  is folded over the first corner portion  14  and the other corner portion  18  of the triangular member  10  is folded over the second corner portion  16  and the completed wrap held together with an elastic band  30  such as a rubber band forming a finished wrap  40 . The wrap is then soaked with water and such preservatives and nutrients as required. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6  the wrap  40  and stems  20  are inserted into a plastic polyethylene bag  50 .  FIG. 7  shows the final package of the flower stems and wrap  40  with the plastic bag  50  being sealed by an elastic band  130  such as a rubber band over a sleeve  60  covering the flower blooms  24  of the cut flowers. 
       FIG. 8  discloses another embodiment of the triangular shaped foam member  110  with an integral strap  11  having a VELCRO® type fastener. If desired, the strip can have adhesive material deposited thereon allowing the ends to be fastened to each other.  FIGS. 9 and 10  show the same folding of the foam member corners as previously described to form wrap  140 . 
     The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments which have been described above. Instead, the embodiments described here should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the scope of the present inventions defined by the following claims.