Patent Publication Number: US-2016236856-A1

Title: Floral Greeting Card and Optional Gift Box

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/116,669, filed Feb. 16, 2015, incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention herein resides in the art of packaging and maintaining cut floral arrangements. More particularly, the invention relates to a greeting card configured as a box adapted for receiving and maintaining cut floral arrangements in a display format that is convenient for shipping and handling. More specifically, the invention relates to the packaging of cut flowers in an attractive arrangement and in which the packaging may be adapted for maintaining and presenting additional gifts and displays. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cut flower arrangements are commonly used as expressions of gratitude, means of encouragement, expressions of feelings, and as gifts in general. Most often, the cut flowers are simply delivered wrapped in an appropriate paper and requiring prompt placement into a vase of water or other solution. While the flowers may be accompanied by another physical gift, the two are typically presented separately. Moreover, while flowers are often delivered, they are typically delivered locally since it is necessary to keep the cut arrangement nourished or hydrated following the cutting in order to ensure a reasonable life for the arrangement itself. The art is devoid of a means for protecting the arrangement during display or transport. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the invention to provide a floral gift box, serving as a greeting card for maintaining and delivering a cut floral arrangement in a predetermined configuration. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a floral gift box that includes floral foam for maintaining the vitality of the floral arrangement during delivery and thereafter. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a floral gift box in which the box maintains and displays both a floral arrangement and an associated non-floral gift. 
     Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a floral gift box in which a floral arrangement is presented and apparent while being protected by an optional clear plastic cover or maintained and protected in a decorative bag. 
     Yet another aspect of the invention is the provision of a floral gift box in which the box and cover secure each other as an integral package, maintaining a concealed block of floral foam while displaying a floral arrangement and optionally an associated gift. 
     The foregoing and other aspects of the invention that will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a floral gift box, comprising a base box having a first cut-out region in a top thereof; floral foam within said base box and beneath said first cut-out region; and a cover receiving said base box. 
     Additional aspects of the invention are achieved by a floral gift box, comprising a base box having a first cut-out region in a top thereof; floral foam within said base box and beneath said first cut-out region; and a cover receiving said base box. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       For a complete understanding of the various aspects and structures of the invention, reference is to be made to the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of a floral gift box made in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the floral foam tray incorporated with the various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an assembly view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of yet a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , a floral gift box made in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can be seen as designated by the numeral  10 . The gift box  10  includes a base box portion  12  having a cut-out area  14  in the top thereof. Extending outwardly from the cut-out area is cut floral arrangement  16 , the floral arrangement taking the general configuration of the cut-out area  14 . A protective cover  18 , preferably of a transparent plastic material, may be securedly received by the box  12  as by a snap fit about the perimeter thereof, or otherwise. Alternatively, the box  12  may be received in a decorative bag or the like. 
     Received within the box  12 , and receiving the stems of the cut floral arrangement  16 , is a block of floral foam, which may be maintained in a base tray as designated by the numeral  20  in  FIG. 2 . The base tray  20  is preferably of a waterproof nature, formed of an appropriate plastic or the like, and is configured to hold a floral foam block  22  within a recess defined by the tray  20 . As is well known by those skilled in the art, the floral foam is hydrophilic, maintaining water with or without additive for maintaining the vitality of the floral arrangement  16 , the cut stems of which are inserted thereinto. Extending over the floral foam block  22  is a plastic wrap sealing cover  24 , which may either encase the floral foam block  22  or be sealed about the top edges  26  of a tray  28  receiving that block. In any event, the floral foam block and the liquid retained thereby are sealed until the plastic wrap sealing cover  24  is removed or pierced by the stems of the flowers of the cut floral arrangement  16 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a floral gift box assembly made in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the numeral  30 . Here, the base box  32  is adapted to receive a block of floral foam  22  and expose a portion thereof through an opening or window  34 . A box cover or sleeve  36  is adapted to be placed over the base  32 , either from the top or from a side thereof. The sleeve or cover  36  has a cut-out area  38  of any desired configuration, such as a heart or the like. Of course, it will be appreciated that the cut-out area  38  may be tailored to a particular event or purpose associated with the presentation of the floral gift box. In any event, the cut-out area  38  generally aligns with the window  34  to accommodate passage of the cut stems of the resulting cut floral arrangement  16  such that those stems are maintained within the block of floral foam  22 . 
     A clear plastic cover  40 , of a height sufficient to accommodate the cut floral arrangement  16 , may then be placed over the top of the resulting floral gift box and snap fit or otherwise be securedly received about the top perimeter thereof. Particularly in the embodiment wherein a sleeve  36  is employed, the cover  40  may secure the entirety of the base box  32 , slide cover  36 , and clear plastic cover  40  as an integral unit, locking those elements together. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 4  and designated by the numeral  42 . Here again, a base box  44  is provided with a cut-out region  46 , again in the shape of a heart, that receives cut flowers  48 , the stems of which are received by the floral foam of a tray received within the box  42 , as described above. The box  44  is further characterized by other cut-out regions or adornments  50 , such as the butterfly shown. The box  44  may serve as a floral greeting card with appropriate adornments  50  or written messages appropriate for the occasion. 
     Yet a further embodiment of the invention is designated by the numeral  52  and shown in  FIG. 5 . Here, a base box  54  is again provided to maintain an appropriate tray of floral foam therein beneath a cut-out portion  56 , here shown in the form of an apple. The cut-out area  56  receives the cut floral arrangement  58  as illustrated. 
     Also provided in the box  54  is a cut-out region  60  for receiving an appropriate gift such as a cell phone, electronic data device, or the like. Accordingly, the box  54  has two cut-out regions, one to accommodate a cut floral arrangement and the other to accommodate a physical gift. In such an embodiment, the tray of floral foam will typically be only as large as necessary to accommodate the cut-out  58 , while a protective foam or the like may be in the region surrounding the cut-out  60  for purposes of protecting the gift received thereby. It is further contemplated that the cut-out  60  or any other suitable cut-out area may be filled with a colored rainbow foam or the like upon or into or onto which a gift, such as a key, jewelry, or the like may be placed. Once again, the embodiment  52  may employ a suitable transparent plastic cover to be received by the box  54  and protect both the floral arrangement and gift or the box  54  may be placed in an appropriately sized decorative bag or the like. 
     Thus, it can be seen that the various aspects of the invention have been satisfied by the structure presented above. While in accordance with the patent statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. For an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.