Patent ID: 12221270

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, illustrative examples are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent certain examples of the disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an example. Further, the examples described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limiting to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed herein.

Referring toFIGS.1-5, an individual planter packaging arrangement10is shown. The individual planter packaging arrangement10includes a planter12partially mounted in a packaging element14. The planter12is defined by a generally closed bottom surface16, a top edge18(shown in phantom inFIG.3) extending around an open top end20and a body portion22extending between the bottom surface16and the open top end20. The bottom surface16is configured with a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the open top end20. In this manner, the body portion22flares or tapers outwardly from the bottom surface16to the open top end20. In one arrangement, the body portion22further includes an outer rim element24disposed on an outer surface of the body portion22that extends from open top end20. Alternatively, the top edge18may flare outwardly from the body portion22, similar to a bell.

The packaging element14is defined by spaced apart generally opposing top26and bottom28surfaces that are joined together by four sidewalls30. In one exemplary arrangement, portions of the sidewalls30may be integral with the top26and bottom28portions. The top surface26includes a first opening32disposed therethrough. The bottom surface28includes a second opening34disposed therethrough. The first and second openings32,34are generally aligned such that a central axis extends through a center of both first and second openings32,34. However, as will be explained in further detail below, the first opening32has a first diameter that is smaller than a second diameter of the second opening34.

In one exemplary arrangement, opposing sidewalls30may be configured with one or more grasping elements36. In one exemplary arrangement the grasping element36is configured as a deformable portion38of the sidewall30. More specifically, sides40and bottom edge42of deformable portion38may be perforated such that a force exerted onto the deformable portion38will permit a portion of the sidewall30to be forced toward an interior of the packaging element14, pivoting about a top edge44of the deformable portion38to create an opening46into which fingers or a part of a hand may extend to grasp the packaging element14.

It is understood, however, that the disclosure is not restricted to this particular arrangement and that either one of the sides40or the bottom edge42may remain unperforated and the top edge44may be perforated to still allow the deformable portion38to be forced toward the interior of the packaging element14. As yet another alternative, the bottom edge42, top edge44and side edges40may all be perforated and any force exerted on to the deformable portion38allows the deformable portion38to break away from the sidewall30to define the openings46. As yet another exemplary arrangement, the sidewalls30may simply be provided with the openings46. While the arrangement shown in the drawings illustrate that the grasping elements are formed on two opposing sidewalls30, it is also contemplated that all four side walls may be provided with the grasping elements.

The planter12is mounted within the packaging element14. In one exemplary arrangement, the bottom surface28may be pivoted away from the top surface26and the planter12, due to a fold line41that serves as a hinge. The bottom surface28is turned upside down from its normal use configuration and the bottom surface16of the planter12is inserted through the first opening32. The first opening32will serve as a stop to retain a portion, i.e., the top edge18, of the planter12beneath the top surface26. Once the bottom surface16has been inserted through the first opening32, the bottom surface28may be pivoted back along fold line41so as to oppose the first surface26and the sidewalls30are connected between the top26and bottom28surfaces by any suitable manner, thereby capturing the top edge18of the planter12within the interior of the packaging element14, as shown inFIG.2. The second opening34will be disposed beneath the open top end20of the planter12. In one exemplary arrangement, the second opening34is sized to be slightly smaller than the open top end20, such that the top edge18may rest on the bottom surface28in the interior of the packaging element14.

In one exemplary arrangement, a stabilizing element (not shown) may be provided within the interior of the packaging element14. The stabilizing element may take the form of a Styrofoam ring. The ring may be disposed over the bottom surface16of the planter12and have a thickness to substantially fill the empty space within the interior of the packaging element14and prevent unwanted movement of the planter12within the interior of the packaging element14.

Instead of a Styrofoam ring, the stabilizing element may include a top surface having an opening that corresponds to the first opening32of the packaging element14, two opposing sidewalls integrally attached to the top surface of the stabilizing element and to a bottom surface that includes an opening that corresponds to the second opening34. The remaining sides are open.

The planter packaging arrangement10permits selective stacking of successive planters12in a much more compact manner than traditional packaging arrangements. As shown inFIG.6, a first individual planter packaging arrangement10is disposed over a second individual planter packaging arrangement10′. The bottom surface of the planter12for the second individual planter packaging arrangement10′ extends through the second opening34of the first individual planter packaging arrangement10to nest within the body portion22of the planter12of the first individual planter packaging arrangement10, as demonstrated inFIG.6. As may be seen, additional planter packaging arrangements may be stacked together to create a column.

For comparison purposes, as shown inFIG.6, the individual planter packaging arrangements10/10′ are shown stacked together, adjacent to a traditional individual planter packaging500for a ceramic planter. Traditional individual planter packaging500is configured to only accommodate a single planter12. A series of four traditional individual planter packaging500are stacked in a successive manner on the right portion of theFIG.6, which yields a height of X.

However, as shown in the left side ofFIG.6, using the individual planter packaging arrangements10/10′, a stack at a height of X may include 8 individual planter packaging arrangements10/10′. Moreover, unlike the traditional individual packaging, the successive units are secured together, reducing the likelihood of the packaging falling over when stored on a shelf or when physically transporting a series of the individual planter packaging arrangements10/10′.

Further, the grasping elements36facilitate easy removal and transport of a stack of individual planter packaging arrangements10/10′. For example, if one requires two individual planter packaging arrangements10/10′, one may insert fingers/hands/or other grasping arrangement into the grasping element36′ of individual planter packaging arrangement10′, beneath individual planter packaging arrangement10and lift those two simultaneously off the stack of the remaining individual planter packaging arrangements and transport them. The nesting arrangement secures the two individual planter packaging arrangements together. In contrast, lifting multiple prior art arrangements can be cumbersome and/or difficult, especially as the boxes are not secured together and must be carefully balanced or the top boxes500′ may become dislodged and separated from a bottom box500″.

As planters12are often made of ceramic material that may be prone to starching or other surface damage, it is contemplated that after a stack is formed, an anti-abrasion bag or plastic may encircle the completed stack. Alternatively, each planter12may be encased in an anti-abrasion material, such as a plastic wrap before being mounted in the packaging element14.

In another exemplary arrangement, instead of a single planter12, the sidewalls30may be sized to permit a stack of nested planters12disposed within a single packaging element14. An anti-abrasion material, such as a polymeric bag may encircle the stack of nested planters12before the planters12are disposed within the packaging element14. With this arrangement, even more planters may be packaged together.

Referring toFIGS.7A-13, an alternative planter packaging arrangement100is shown. The planter packaging arrangement100includes at least one planter12partially mounted in a packaging element114. In the exemplary arrangement shown inFIGS.7A-13, a stack of planters112is partially mounted in the packaging element114. Each planter12is similar to the planter12that shown inFIG.3. More specifically, each planter is defined by a generally closed bottom surface16, a top edge18(shown in phantom inFIG.3) extending around an open top end20and a body portion22extending between the bottom surface16and the open top end20. The bottom surface16is configured with a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the open top end20. In this manner, the body portion22flares or tapers outwardly from the bottom surface16to the open top end20. The body portion22may include an outer rim element24disposed on an outer surface of the body portion22that extends from open top end20. Alternatively, the top edge18may flare outwardly from the body portion22, similar to a bell.

The packaging element114is defined by spaced apart generally opposing first126and second128surfaces that are joined together by four sidewalls130. In one exemplary arrangement, portions of the sidewalls130may be integral with the top126and bottom128portions, as illustrated inFIGS.8-9. The first surface126includes a first opening132disposed therethrough. The second surface128includes a second opening134disposed therethrough. When the packaging element114is positioned in an assembled configuration, such as that shown inFIGS.7A-7B, the first and second openings132,134are generally aligned such that a central axis extends through a center of both first and second openings132,134.

The first opening132is defined with a plurality of tabs135and recesses137extending around the periphery139of the first opening132. In one exemplary arrangement, the tabs135are configured with a generally rectangular shape. In one exemplary arrangement, the recesses137are configured with a generally trapezoidal shape. Operation of the tabs135will be explained in further detail below.

The second opening134is defined with an outer ring141surrounding the opening134. Outer ring141is made up of a plurality of joined segments143. The segments143are joined together by a perforated segment145that starts at opening134and terminated at the outer periphery147of outer ring141. Operation of the joined segments143will be explained in further detail below.

In one exemplary arrangement, side walls130are formed of multiple sidewall elements that interconnect to form the side walls130. For example, referring toFIGS.8and9, a center sidewall130ais positioned between first and second surfaces126,128. Where center sidewall130ajoins first surface126there is a first fold line138a. Where center sidewall130ajoins bottom surface there is a second fold line138b. Center sidewall130afurther includes first end center connectors140athat include a first connection center element142athat cooperates with a second and third connection elements144a,146a, as will be explained in further detail below. First end center connectors140aare attached to a central portion148aof center sidewall130aalong end connector fold lines150a,150b, respectfully.

End sidewall130bis attached to first surface126by third fold line138copposite first fold line138a. End sidewall130bfurther includes second end connectors140bthat each include the second connection elements142bthat cooperate with second and third connection elements144b,146b, as will be explained in further detail below. Second end connectors140bare attached to a central portion148bof end sidewall130balong end connector fold lines152a,152b, respectfully.

A lateral connector154is attached to second surface128by a fourth fold line138d, opposite first fold line138a. Lateral connector154carries third connection elements146a,146b. Extending along opposing edges of second surface128are side connectors156a. First side connectors156aare connected to second surface128by fold lines138eand138f. First side connectors156aeach carry third connection elements146a,146b. Connector elements146a,146bextends outwardly from and edge158of lateral and first side connectors154,156a.

Second side connectors156bare connected to first surface126by fold lines138gand138h. Second side connectors each carry second connection elements144a,144b. Second connection elements144a,144bare positioned inbound of an outer edge160of second side connectors156b.

Referring toFIGS.9-10D, assembly of the planter packaging arrangement100will now be described. Assembly of planter packaging arrangement100may begin with the packaging element114in an initial unformed configuration that is generally planar, as shown inFIGS.8and9. This configuration allows for easy storage of the packaging element114until needed, as well as efficient shipment of the packaging element114, as all the packaging elements114may be stacked together until needed.

When it is desired to use the packaging elements114with planters12, a stack of planters112are nested together, as shown inFIG.9. In one exemplary arrangement, the stack of nested planters112are then encased in an anti-abrasion material, such a polymeric bag, which may encircle the stack of nested planters. The stack of nested planters112are then positioned through the first opening132, with the bottom surface16of the lowermost planter12(lowermost being defined when the stack of planters112are arranged with the open top ends facing down) in the stack being directed through the first opening132. The top edge18of the lowermost planter12is slightly larger than the periphery139of the first opening132(defined by the depth of recesses137) such that the top edge18rests against the first surface126. During insertion of the stack of planters112, the tabs135are forced to flex to extend along an outer surface of the body portion22of the lowermost planter112, as shown inFIGS.7B and11B. The tabs135exerts a slight compressive force on the outer surface of the lowermost planter112to provide stability of the planters112within the packaging element114.

Once the planters112are positioned, the sidewall130ais pivoted along fold line138asuch that the center sidewall130ais oriented upwardly with respect to the first surface126(i.e., generally perpendicular to a plane in which the first surface126lies). Next, the second surface128is pivoted along fold line138bsuch that second surface128overlies first surface126(i.e., so as to be generally parallel t the first surface126) and first opening132is aligned with second opening134, as shown inFIG.10A. End sidewall130bis pivoted along fold line138ctoward center sidewall130aso as to be disposed generally parallel to the center sidewall130a. The third connection elements146a,146bare mated with cooperating connection elements second connection elements144a,144b. In one exemplary arrangement, third connection elements146a,146bare configured as tab members and the second connection elements144a,144bare configured as detent members. With this arrangement, the third connection elements146a,146bforce the second connection elements144a,144binwardly, with ends of the third connection elements146a,146bbeing disposed against an inner surface of the sidewall130b. In this manner, the second surface126is secured in position with respect to the first surface124, as shown inFIG.10B.

Next, referring toFIG.10C, the first and second end connectors140aand140bbent toward each other about fold lines150a,150b,152a, and152b, respectively. The second side connectors156bare bent upwardly along fold lines138gand138h, respectively to overlay the first and second end connectors140a,140b. The first side connectors156aare bent downwardly along fold lines138eand138f, respectively to overlay the second side connectors156brespectively, as shown inFIG.10D. Once the end connectors and first and second side connectors are positioned in this manner, these elements are secured together. For example, the second connection elements144a,144bare pushed into the first connection elements142a,142b, which are configured as connection openings. Next, the third connection elements146a,146bare disposed through the first connection elements142,142b, which positions ends of the third connection elements142,142bin frictional engagement against an inside surface of the first and second end connectors140a,140b. With this configuration, the top edges18of the planters112are enclosed within the packaging element114, as shown inFIG.11Ato form the planter packaging arrangement.

Second connection elements144bmay also function as grasping element. More specifically, second connection elements144bmay be pressed inwardly and sized to receiving fingers or other grasping elements to lift one or more packaging arrangements.

Much like the arrangement shown inFIG.6, the planter packaging arrangement100is configured to permit selective stacking of successive planter packaging arrangements100. More specifically, referring toFIG.11B, a second planter packaging arrangement100′ is disposed over a first planter packaging arrangement100. The bottom surface16of the planter112for the first planter packaging arrangement100extends through the second opening134of the individual planter packaging arrangement100′ to nest within the body portion22of the planter112of the first individual packaging arrangement100, as demonstrated inFIG.12A. The joined segments143surrounding the second opening134will separate along perforated lines145to serves as a stabilizing element on both the inside surface of the body portion22′ of the lowermost planter112′ of the second planter packaging arrangement100′, as well as serving as a stabilizing element on the outside surface of the body portion22of the uppermost planter112of the first planter packaging arrangement100. As may be seen, additional planter packaging arrangements may be stacked together to create a column.

As discussed above, each stack of planters112may be enclosed in an anti-abrasive covering, such as a such as a polymeric bag162to protect against damage, as shown inFIG.12B.

Referring toFIGS.13-17, a third planter packaging arrangement200is shown. Planter packaging arrangement200includes at least one planter12partially mounted in a packaging element214. In the exemplary arrangement shown inFIGS.13-17, a stack of planters212are partially mounted in the packaging element214. Each individual planter in the stack of planters212is similar to the planter12that shown inFIG.3and described above. While not shown in this particular arrangement, the stack of planters212may also be enclosed in an anti-abrasive material, such as polymeric bag162.

The packaging element214is defined by a first element226and a second element228that may be selectively joined together to define packaging element214. In one exemplary arrangement, the first element226is configured with an open top229, a bottom surface230, and four side walls231extending upwardly from the bottom surface230. Bottom surface230further includes a first opening232extending therethrough. First opening232is sized to be smaller than the outer periphery defined by the top edge18of the lowermost planter12in the planter stack212.

Second element228generally corresponds to the first element226. More specifically, second element228includes an open bottom234, a top surface236, and four side walls238extending downwardly from the top surface236. Top surface236further includes a second opening240extending therethrough. Second opening240is also sized to be smaller than the outer periphery defined by the top edge18of planter12. The four side walls231,238may be integral with the top236and bottom230portions, respectively. When the packaging element214is positioned in an assembled configuration, such as that shown inFIGS.15-17, the first and second openings232,240are generally aligned such that a central axis extends through a center of both first and second openings232,240.

To assemble planter packaging arrangement200, the planter stack212is positioned within the first element226with the planter stack212being positioned with the open top end20facing downwardly on to the bottom surface230of the first element226, surrounding the first opening232. The first opening232provides access to the interior of the bottom-most planter12within the planter stack212.

Once positioned, the second element228is disposed over the bottom end16of the uppermost planter12′ in the planter stack212such that the bottom end16of the planter stack212extends through the second opening240. The side walls238of the second element228are then slid over on top of the four side walls231of the first element226to lock the top edges18of the planter stack212within the packaging element214.

However, like the packaging arrangements14and114, the packaging element214provides for an opening232at the bottom of the packaging214that is allows for a second stack of planters (not shown) to be nested therewithin, in a similar manner as that shown inFIG.12A.

While not shown, it is also understood that packaging element214may include one or more grasping elements, such as that shown in connection with packaging arrangements14and114.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.