Abstract:
A system is presented for packing and displaying flora, which includes a display for supporting the flora on multiple levels, and a receptacle in which the display and flora may be contained for storage and/or shipment. The display may include a side frame, top frames and holders for supporting the flora. The display may also include a header. The system may be disassembled into a side frame, holders, top frames and header to be contained with the flora in the receptacle. A method for displaying flora is presented, which includes removing a display and the flora from a receptacle, and arranging the display to support the flora on the multiple levels. Further, method for packing flora is presented, which includes disassembling a display with multiple levels into a side frame, holders, and top frames, and placing them along with the flora into a receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/691,462, filed Jun. 17, 2005, and entitled “Display and Shipping System for Flora,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     To display flora, such as flowers, many supermarkets have built in displays or coolers in which flowers can be stored. However, in many cases, plastic buckets placed on cubes or on the floor are used to display the flowers. In some cases, the boxes in which the flowers are shipped are used as disposable displays. The boxes only hold one container of flowers. In addition, the box in which the flowers are shipped makes an undesirable flower display because the box will have a shipping label and will be dirty from the shipping process. Further, when a relatively small number of flowers is displayed, the box tends to tip over.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     A system is presented for packing and displaying flora. The system generally includes a display that supports the flora, such as flowers, on multiple levels, and a receptacle in which the display and flora may be contained for storage and/or shipment. For example, the display may be used in many locations, such as on the floor and/or near register aisles of a store. The display may include a side frame, which may include a bottom, and multiple top frames that together with the side frame, create the levels on which the flora may be displayed. The levels enable more of the flora to be viewed simultaneously. The display may also includes a holders for supporting the flora on the top frames or within orifices in the top frames. In addition, the display may include a header that attaches to the side frame and may include a message and/or decoration. The system may be disassembled into the side frame, holders, top frames and, in some cases, a header in order to be contained with the flora in the receptacle. In general, the system may provide a display that is visually appealing, easily assembled and disassembled and/or disposable.  
         [0004]     A method for displaying flora is presented, which includes removing flora and a display that provides multiple levels from a receptacle, and arranging the display to support the flora on the multiple levels. In addition, a method for packing flora is presented, which includes disassembling a display with multiple levels into a side frame, holders, and top frames, and placing the side frame, holders, top frames and the flora into a receptacle. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]     The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a display and packing system for flora assembled for displaying cut flowers;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a step display displaying cut flowers;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the display and packing system for flora of  FIG. 1  assembled for packing of cut flowers;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a step display frame;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5 a  top unassembled view of a side frame;  
         [0011]      FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of a side frame;  
         [0012]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the side frame of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6C  is a top view of the side frame of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7A  is a top isometric view of a top frame;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7B  is an unassembled top view of the top frame of  FIG. 6A ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7C  is a bottom isometric view of the top frame of  FIG. 6A ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a holder;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a diagram of an unassembled packing receptacle;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a diagram of a header; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a step-by-step illustration of an unpacking of the display and packing system for flora holding cut flowers and the assembly of a step display contained therein for displaying the cut flowers. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     An example of a display and packing system for flora is shown in  FIG. 1 . The display and packing system  100  generally includes a step display  104  and a packing receptacle  102 . The step display  104  enables the display of flora  216  on multiple levels and may be disassembled and inserted into the packing receptacle  102  to contain the flora  216  for storage or movement, such as shipping.  FIG. 2  shows an example of a step display  904  used to display cut flowers  916  on two levels. The step display  904  may include a side frame  906 , one or more top frames  908 , one or more receptacles  910  (only one is visible), and may include a header  912 . Although some of the examples of the display and packing system shown throughout this document are described and illustrated as displaying or packing cut flowers, the display and packing systems may display and store most types of flora. Further, the display and packing systems do not necessarily include the flora that they display.  
         [0022]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the display and packing system for flora  100  may be configured to store the step display  104  and/or flora  216  in the packing receptacle  102 . Packing the step display  104  and/or the flora  216  in the packing receptacle  102  protects the packing receptacle  102  and/or the flora  216  against damage so that they may be stored. For example, the step display  104  and/or the flora  216  may be stored in the packing receptacle  102  so that the step display  104  and/or the flora  216  may be moved, for example shipped, to another location. To store the step display  104  and the flora  216  in the packing receptacle  102 , the step display  104  may be disassembled and inserted into the packing receptacle  102  along with the flora  216 . In general, the top frames  108  and the header  112  are removed from the side frame  106  of the step display  104 . The side frame  106  may be partially disassembled and inserted into the packing receptacle  102  so as to contact the bottom and at least some of the sides of the packing receptacle  102 . The header  112  may be inserted into the packing receptacle  102  between the side frame  106  and the side of the packing receptacle  102 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , or against the inward-facing surface of the partially disassembled side frame  106 . The holders  110  (in this example, there are two holders) may be placed within the packing receptacle  102  and the side frame  106 . The flora  216  may be placed in the holders  110  before of after the holders  110  are placed within the packing receptacle  102 . The tops of the flora  216  may protrude from the tops of the holders  108 . In addition, water or other fluid may be placed in the holder  108  to provide nourishment to the flora  216  so that the flora  216  stays fresh during packing and/or display. Further, the holders  108  and/or the flora  216  may be encased by a plastic or other water tight material  218  to prevent any fluid in the holders  110  from, for example, spilling, splashing or leaking. However, the water tight material  218  may not totally cover the flowers. In contrast, the water tight material  218  may be sealed at the top to cover the flora  216 .  
         [0023]     An example of a side frame  306 , two top frames  308 , and a header  312  are shown in  FIG. 4 . These components  306 ,  308 ,  312  are assembled for displaying flora. The side frame  306  generally includes two or more levels or “steps”  320 ,  322  on which the top frames  308  are located. The flora may be displayed in holders (not shown) placed on or in the top frames  308 . The header  312  may be attached to the back of the side frame  306  using, for example tabs, pins and/or Velcro®. The header  312  may be used to provide information and/or decoration.  
         [0024]     The side frame  306  may be made from any suitable material. For example the side frame  306  may be made from a lightweight, foldable material such as cardboard. In general, the side frame  306  may be assembled from a single piece of material, as shown in  FIG. 5 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , a single piece of cardboard (although other materials may be used) has been cut so that it may be folded to form the side frame  306  as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C . Panels  442 ,  446 ,  444 , and  448  may be folded to form the bottom of the side frame  306  as shown in  FIG. 6C . Panels  446  and  448  may each include a hole  447 ,  449 , respectively, which may provide drainage in the event fluid in the holders spills into the side frame  306  when a step display, such as that shown in  FIG. 2 , is supporting one or more holders  710  ( FIG. 8 ) containing fluid. Panels  436 ,  432 ,  430  and  434  may be folded to form the sides of the side frame  306 , with panel  430  forming the front of the lower level  320 , and panels  452  and  432  forming a first side, as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . In addition, panels  434  and  454  form a second side, and panels  436  and  456  form the back of the side frame  306 .  
         [0025]     Panel  434  may include a flap  435  that may be folded and attached to the edge  437  of panels  436  and  456  to form the basic shape of the side frame  306  ( FIG. 6C ). Tab  435  and edge  437  may be attached using, for example, glue, staples, Velcro® and tape. Panels  450  and  451  may each include a detached or perforated edge  458  and  459 , respectively, so that the panels  450  and  451  are detached or detachable from panels  432  and  434 , respectively. Panels  450  and  451  may fold inward in an overlapping manner to form the front of the upper level  322 . Panels  450  and  451  may include a hole  466  and a pair of tabs  464 , respectively. When the side frame  306  is folded into its basic shape, the tabs  464  may be inserted into the hole  466  and folded to releasably connect the panels  450  and  451  together.  
         [0026]     Panels  432  and  434  may include slots  460  and  462 , respectively. Slots  460  and  462  provide a space into which one of the top frames  308  ( FIG. 4 ) may fit. A slot  480  may be included between panels  452  and  456  to provide a space into which one of the top frames  308  ( FIG. 4 ) may fit, as shown in  FIG. 6A . A second such slot  481 , shown in  FIG. 6C , may be formed between panels  454  and  456  when these panels are attached via tab  435  and edge  437 . Panel  456  may include holes  474  and  475 . These holes  474 ,  475  may be used to attach the header  312  ( FIG. 4 ) to the side frame  306 . Additional holes, such as  468 ,  470  and  472 , may be included in various panels to, for example, provide a space by which the side frame  306  may be lifted.  
         [0027]     The top frame  308  of  FIG. 4  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 7A, 7B , and  7 C. The top frame  308  may include a hole  620  in which a holder, such as that shown in  FIG. 8 , may be supported. The hole  620  may be of any shape and size that is compatible with the shape and size of the holder that the top frame  308  may support. The top frame  308  may include one or more sides for enabling the top frame  308  to be removably connected with a side frame. For example, the top frame shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C  includes four sides, including a first pair of sides  622  and a second pair of sides  624 . One or more of these sides may fit into one or more grooves ( 460 ,  462 ,  480 ,  481  in  FIGS. 5 and 6 A- 6 C) in the side frame  306  ( FIGS. 6A-6C ). Like the side frame, the top frame  308  may be made from any suitable material. For example the top frame  308  may be made from a lightweight, foldable material such as cardboard. In general, the top frame  308  may be assembled from a single piece of material, as shown in  FIG. 7B . In the example shown in  FIG. 7B , a single piece of cardboard (although other materials may be used) has been cut so that it may be folded to form the side frame  308  as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The unassembled top frame  308 , shown in  FIG. 7B , may include a first pair of flaps  634  that includes tabs  633  and a second pair of flaps  630  that include arms  631 . The first and second pairs of flaps  634  and  630 , respectively, may be folded to form the first pair of sides  622  and the second pair of sides  630 , respectively. In general, the second pair of flaps  630  may be folded inward and the arms  631  folded to be about parallel with the first pair of flaps  631 . The first pair of flaps  631  may be folded inward and over arms  631 . The tabs  633  may be inserted into slots  628  in the holder  308  to secure the first and second pairs of flaps  634 ,  630 , respectively.  
         [0028]     An example of a holder is shown in  FIG. 8 . The holder  710  may include a bucket or other vessel of any shape that may be supported within the hole  620  in the top frame  308  ( FIG. 7A ). The holder  710  may include a rim or lip  712  on any part of its outer surface. This rim  712  may rest on the surface of a top frame, while allowing some portion of the holder  710  to fit within a hole  620  in the top frame  308 . Alternatively, the holder  710  may include tabs, arms, spikes or other protrusions in place of or in addition to the rim  712 .  
         [0029]     The packing receptacle  102  of  FIG. 1  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 9 . The dimensions of the packing receptacle  102  may include any dimensions suitable for containing a step display and flora. The packing receptacle  102  may be made from any suitable material. For example the packing receptacle  102  may be made from a lightweight, foldable material such as cardboard. In general, the packing receptacle  102  may be assembled from a single piece of material, as shown in  FIG. 9 . A single piece of cardboard (although other materials may be used) may be cut so that it may be folded to form a packing receptacle  102 , such as that shown in  FIG. 1 . The packing receptacle  102  may include bottom panels  820 ,  822 ,  824 ,  826  that form the bottom of the packing receptacle  102 , side panels  810 ,  812 ,  814 ,  816  that form the sides of the packing receptacle  102 , and top panels  830 ,  832 ,  834 ,  836  that form the top of the packing receptacle  102 . Side panel  810  may include a side flap  818  that attaches to the side panel  816  to form the basic shape of the packing receptacle  102 . The packing receptacle  102  may include one or more holes  802 , in any number and/or configuration. These holes allow oxygen to reach the flora stored within. The packing receptacle  102  may include one or more slots  804  that allow the packing receptacle  102  to be lifted and/or handled.  
         [0030]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the step display  306  may include a header  312 . The header  312  may provide decoration, information and/or other expressions. As shown in  FIG. 10 , one or more headers  1012 ,  1013  may be produced from a single piece of material. In the example of  FIG. 10 , a single piece of cardboard has been cut to form the header  1012 . The dimensions of headers  1012 ,  1013  may include any dimensions suitable for attaching one of the headers  1012 ,  1013  to a side frame. The headers  1012 ,  1013  may be made from any suitable material. For example the headers  1012 ,  1013  may be made from a lightweight, foldable material such as cardboard. A header, for example header  1012  may include one or more slots  1050  for mounting the header  1012  on a side frame  306 . For example, the slots  1050  may fit into slots  480  and  481  in side frame  306  as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the header  1012  may include one or more tabs  1052  for attaching the header  1012  to a side frame  306 . For example, tabs  1052  may fit through and around holes  474  and  475  in side frame  306  shown in  FIG. 6C .  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  shows an example of a manner by which the disassembled components of a step display  1106 ,  1108 ,  1110 ,  1112  and flora may be removed from a packing receptacle  1102  and assembled. A step display and flora may be included in the packing receptacle  1102 , for example in the manner previously discussed in connection with  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the side frame  1106  may be partially assembled in the packing receptacle  1102 , as shown in steps  3  and  4 . Holes in the side frame  1106  may align with those of the packing receptacle  1102  to allow oxygen to reach the flora stored within. After the packing receptacle  1102  is opened (step  1 ) and the contents are removed (steps  2 ,  3  and  4 ), the side frame  1106  may be assembled (step  5 ). The header  1112  and the top frames  1108  may be attached to the side frame  1106  (steps  7  and  8 , respectively). The holders  1110 , which may be holding the flora, may be placed in the step display (steps  9  and  10 ). If the flora and holders are wrapped in a water tight material, the material may be removed at any time (see step  4  for an example). The steps in  FIG. 11  are shown in an exemplary order. The steps may be performed in numerous other orders.  
         [0032]     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the packing and display system and its components may come in any variety of shapes and sizes. In another example, the display may have any number of levels for displaying various numbers and types of flora and other items in a variety of holders. In addition, there are numerous ways in which the components may be produced and assembled and there are numerous materials and combinations of material that may be used. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.