Patent Publication Number: US-2007094924-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for receiving and transporting flowers

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The invention relates to a container for receiving and transporting decorative plants such as cut flowers.  
      2. Description of the Related Technology  
      Cut flowers, or other decorative foliage, are frequently transported and sold as bouquets. During transport, and while awaiting sale, flowers preferably are placed with stems at least partially submerged in water to maintain the freshness of the flowers. Thus, a simple way of transporting flowers or bouquets is in a water-filled container.  
      However, in a simple container, e.g., a pail or bucket-like container, the bottoms of the stems of flowers or bouquets placed in the middle of the container tend to slide until the bottoms of the stems rest against the side, or more frequently, the side corners of the bottom of the container. This may result in the stems of the centrally placed flowers becoming entangled with other flowers or bouquets. In addition, the centrally placed flowers accordingly rest lower in the container than flowers and bouquets that are placed around the edge of the container. This may result in the centrally located flowers being less visible to potential purchasers and may result in damage to the flowers as they sink into the container.  
      Containers having tops, or recessed tops, with openings for receiving flowers are one solution. However, because the openings in such containers are typically towards the top of the container, the bottoms of the stems are still able to slide around the bottom of the container. Moreover, with larger openings relative to the size of the bouquets, the stems of the flowers are still able to slide around the bottom of the container. This configuration therefore also allows the flowers to slide sufficiently far so as to allow the flower blossoms to contact the edges of the openings and damage the flowers. Containers with smaller openings are limited in the range of bouquet sizes that fit into the holes. This can result in a need to stock many different types and shapes of containers. In addition, placing the stems of the flowers through the openings can be time consuming and can result in damage to the flowers and stems if the loading of flowers is not performed carefully. Thus, a need exists for improved containers for transporting flowers and bouquets.  
     SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS  
      The system, method, and containers of the invention each have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims which follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description of Certain Embodiments” one will understand how the features of this invention provide advantages that include a container for transporting and displaying flowers that maintains the position of the flowers or bouquets of flowers within the container.  
      One embodiment includes a container for receiving flowers. The container includes a receptacle having a stem end and a blossom end. The stem end comprises a water-resistant bottom surface and the blossom end defines a blossom end opening configured to receive a plurality of flowers. The container further includes a lattice comprising a plurality of strips. The lattice are positioned substantially at the stem end of the receptacle. The lattice has a plurality of lattice openings. Each of the plurality of lattice openings is configured to receive the stem end of at least one of the flowers. The lattice is configured to limit movement of the stem end of the at least one flower.  
      Another embodiment includes a method of manufacturing a container for receiving flowers. The method includes forming a receptacle having a stem end and a blossom end. The stem end comprises a water-resistant bottom surface and the blossom end defines a blossom end opening configured to receive a plurality of flowers. The method further includes forming a lattice comprising a plurality of strips. The lattice is positioned substantially at the stem end of the receptacle. The lattice has a plurality of lattice openings. Each of the lattice openings is configured to receive the stem end of at least one of the flower. The lattice is further configured to limit movement of the stem end of the at least one of the flowers.  
      Another embodiment includes an apparatus for receiving flowers. The apparatus includes a lattice comprising a plurality of strips configured for use with a receptacle having a stem end and a blossom end. The lattice is configured to be positioned substantially at the stem end of the receptacle. The lattice has a plurality of lattice openings. Each of the plurality of lattice openings is configured to receive a stem end of at least one of a plurality of flowers. The lattice is configured to limit movement of the stem end of the at least one flower.  
      Another embodiment includes a container for receiving flowers. The container includes means for receiving and containing at least one flower. The means for containing includes means for supporting the stem ends of the at least one flower. The container further includes means for defining a plurality of openings and limiting movement of the stem ends of the at least one flower to substantially within one of the plurality of openings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a partial cutaway perspective view illustrating an exemplary container according to one embodiment.  
       FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary container of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a partial cutaway perspective view illustrating an exemplary container according to another embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS  
      The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.  
      As discussed above, containers that include a top with openings through which flower stems are inserted have a number of disadvantages. In general, many of these problems are the result of attempting to control the position of flowers within a container by controlling the position of the stems, and in particular, by restricting movement of the portions of the stems relatively close to the blossom ends of the flowers. However, as described in more detail below, rather than holding floral bouquets in place for transport and display by using openings through which the stems are inserted, improved containers can be obtained by making containers that control the movement of the stem ends, the ends of the stems that are distal from the blossoms, of the flowers.  
       FIG. 1  is a partial cutaway perspective view illustrating an exemplary container  100  according to one embodiment. The exemplary container  100  includes four sides  110  that join to form a substantially rectangular receptacle that has an opening  115  at the top or blossom end of the container  100  and a solid surface  120  at the bottom or stem end of the container. The solid bottom surface  120  joins the sides  110  to form a receptacle that is at least partially water-tight. While certain embodiments can define a rectangular container, in other embodiments, the container may define a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a square shape, or any other shape. Moreover, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the sides  110  meet so as to form rounded corners. In other embodiments, however, the sides  110  can meet to form sharply angled comers, or in the case of a circular shape, no comers at all.  
      In one embodiment, the blossom-end opening  115  is larger than the bottom surface  120 . The sides  110  of the container  100  can thus be tapered from the blossom end to the stem end. In one embodiment, the container  100  can thus be configured in shape and size to receive another container into the blossom end opening  115 . Unlike containers with lids or other surfaces that have openings near the blossom-end of the container, the positioning of the lattice  130  at or near the bottom or stem end of the container  100  allows the container  100  to receive another container  100  to within the distance, H, of the strips  132  of the lattice  130 . This allows a group of containers  100  to be conveniently stacked for storage.  
      In the exemplary container  100 , a grid or lattice  130  formed by a series of interlaced strips  132  is positioned on, or near, the bottom surface  120  of the container  100 . In one embodiment, the strips  132  are at least partially in contact with the bottom surface  120 . As described in further detail below, in other embodiments, the strips  132  may be positioned near the bottom surface  120 . The strips  132 , which are a height, H, define lattice openings  140 . In one embodiment, the lattice openings  140  are square or rectangular. In other embodiments, the lattice openings  140  can be any shape, such as hexagonal or circular shapes. For example, in one embodiment, the container  100  may have a generally circular shape in which some strips  132  of the lattice  130  define concentric circles that are divided into lattice openings  140  by strips  132  that extend from a central circular strip  132  to a outermost circular strip  132 .  
      In one embodiment, the strips  132  are separated from each other by a distance L along a first axis and a distance W along a second, perpendicular axis to define rectangular lattice openings  140  with dimensions of approximately L×W (excluding the thickness of the strips  132 ). In one embodiment, the distances H, L, and W are substantially the same so that the openings  140  define cubes. On some embodiments, the distances H, L, and W can be selected to be in the range of 0.5 inches to 3 inches. In one embodiment, each of the distances H, L, and W is about equal to 2 inches. In one embodiment, a particular lattice  130  may have lattice openings  140  of different sizes. For example, in one embodiment, the openings  140  near the edges of the lattice  140  may be smaller than the openings near the interior of the lattice  140 .  
      In use, the container  100  is at least partially filled with water. In one embodiment, the water is filled to a depth of approximately the distance H in the bottom of the container  100 . Flowers or bouquets of flowers are received into the opening  115 , with the stem ends of the flowers inserted into the container  100  so that the blossom ends of the flowers extend approximately to, or above, the opening  115  of the container  110 . The stem ends of a flower or bouquet can be received into the water in one or more of the lattice openings  140 . Alternatively, the water can be added after the flowers are placed into the container  100 .  
      As the flowers shift under their own weight, or as the flowers are shifted during movement of the container  100 , the blossom ends of the flowers tend to move around in the opening  115 . However, the strips  132  tend to limit the movement of the stem ends of the flowers to the area within one of the lattice openings  140 . In addition, the stems ends tend to move into the comers of the lattice openings where they are more firmly held in place than they would otherwise be if the lattice had circular openings.  
      Having the lattice  130  positioned substantially at the bottom of the container  100  also allows for better management of bouquets at the top of the container  100 . In particular, as bouquets are removed from the container, such as at a point of sale, the blossom ends of the remaining bouquets are able to move freely around the top so as to spread out and better fill the opening  115  at the top of the container. This filling tends to provide a more pleasing appearance for point of sale than containers that restrict the movement of the blossom end of the flowers. For example, in containers having holes near the blossom end of the flowers, one side of the container may become bare if flowers on that particular side are sold or removed first.  
      Moreover, in containers that have holes or similar arrangement near the blossom ends of the flowers, the edges of the lid or other surface defining holes may tend to rub against the flower&#39;s stems (possibly damaging the stems) during transport and storage. In contrast, the container  100  described herein tends to control the end of the stem in the opening  140  of the lattice or grid  130  using the sides of the strips  132 , which are less likely to cause wear to the stems. Any wear that might occur is advantageously at the end of the stem farthest way from the flower blossom.  
       FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary container  100  that further illustrates the container  100 . In particular, a particular strip  130   a  is illustrated extending across the cross section. A set of strips  132   b  extends substantially orthogonally to the strip  130   a  to define the openings  140 .  FIG. 2  depicts a bouquet  160 , extending from its blossom end  162  to its stem end  164  positioned in the container  100  with its stem end  164  positioned against one of the strips  132   b  in a particular opening  140 . As is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tendency for the bouquet  160  to lean results in the stem end  164  meeting the bottom surface  120  at an angle. This is turn tends to cause the stem end to move or slide into a corner of the opening  140 .  
      In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the strips  132  are positioned at the bottom of the container  100 . In certain embodiments, the strips  132  include openings or channels through the strips that allow the water level in the container to equalize. In other embodiments, the strips  132  can be positioned near or just above the bottom surface  120  of the container  100 . For example, the strips  132  can be positioned at a distance of about 0-3 inches from the bottom of the container. In one particular embodiment, the strips  132  are positioned at a distance of about 2 inches from the bottom of the container.  
      In one embodiment, the container  100  is formed of a substantially rigid, water-resistant material such as plastic, metal, or water-resistant cardboard. In one embodiment, the container  100  is injection molded from a plastic such as a polypropylene homopolymer. In one embodiment, the injection molding process is used to integrally form the container, including the lattice. In other embodiments, the container  100  can be formed using any suitable manufacturing technique such as stamping.  
      As noted above, in one embodiment, the lattice  130  is integrally formed or otherwise fixed to the sides  110  or bottom  120  of the container  100 . In another embodiment, the lattice  130  is separate from the container  100  and placed in the receptacle portion of the container at time of use. In one such embodiment, the size and shape of the lattice  130  is selected with reference to the size and shape of the interior surfaces of the receptacle so as to allow the lattice  130  to be friction or press fit into the bottom of the receptacle. In another such embodiment, one of interior surface of the sides  10  of the container  100  or the ends of the strips  132  has a detent and the other a recess that forms a catch for removably attaching the lattice  130  to the container  100 . In one embodiment, the lattice  130  is provided separately from the receptacle portion of the container  100  in a variety of sizes and shapes so as to fit into a corresponding variety of existing receptacles so as to form the container  100 .  
       FIG. 3  is an end view of an exemplary lattice  130  having a circular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the circular lattice  130  is provided with, or integrally formed with, a generally cylindrical container  100 . In another embodiment, the lattice  130  is provided separately from the receptacle portion of the container  100  in a variety of sizes so as to fit into a corresponding variety of existing receptacles so as to form the container  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lattice  130  is formed by three substantially concentric circular strips  132  that intersect strips  132  that extend radially from the inner circular strip  132  to the outer circular strip  132 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the strips  132  are positioned relative to each other so as to define openings  140  that vary in size.  
      While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the container or process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. As will be recognized, the present invention may be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features may be used or practiced separately from others. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.