Patent ID: 8438780

Claim:
A method for forming bouquets comprising the steps: (a) arranging bouquet elements at each of a plurality of stations spaced along a conveying device, wherein the conveying device includes a first bouquet form having a plurality of hook-shaped stem holding arms extending generally coplanar from a central body, each including a stem holding portion, wherein the central body is spaced from a plurality of lower stem receiving portions, and wherein the plurality of lower stem receiving portions are positioned radially outwardly and extending beyond the stem holding portions; (b) at a first of the plurality of stations, inserting a first set of bouquet element stems into one of the plurality of hook-shaped stem holding arms and into a corresponding one of the plurality of lower stem receiving portions of the first bouquet form; (c) transporting the first bouquet form to a second of the plurality of stations; (d) at the second of the plurality of stations, inserting a second set of bouquet element stems into an open one of the plurality of hook-shaped stem holding arms and into a corresponding lower stem receiving portion of the first bouquet form; (e) repeating steps (b)-(d) until a desired number of the plurality of hook-shaped stem holding arms and corresponding lower stem receiving portions of the first bouquet form holds a set of bouquet elements, thereby forming a first final bouquet set; removing the first final bouquet set from the plurality of hook-shaped stem holding arms and corresponding lower stem receiving portions by grabbing stems of the first final bouquet set and lifting the first final bouquet set upward out of the plurality of hook-shaped stem holding arms and corresponding lower stem receiving portions; and (g) securing the first final bouquet set with a fastener to form a first bouquet.