U.S. patent application number 11/397030 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-11 for aquapac.
This patent application is currently assigned to Syndicate Sales, Inc.. Invention is credited to Troy L. Burnette, Trent A. Harshman, Pawan Srivastava.
Application Number | 20070234638 11/397030 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38573602 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070234638 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harshman; Trent A. ; et
al. |
October 11, 2007 |
Aquapac
Abstract
This invention relates generally to an apparatus for shipping
flowers that provides moisture and nutrients to the flowers during
shipping which significantly increases their life expectancy
provides protection to the fragile stem ends.
Inventors: |
Harshman; Trent A.;
(Galveston, IN) ; Burnette; Troy L.; (Greentown,
IN) ; Srivastava; Pawan; (Kokomo, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Frank D. Lachenmaier
116 N. Main St.
P.O. Box 1047
Kokomo
IN
46903-1047
US
|
Assignee: |
Syndicate Sales, Inc.
Kokomo
IN
47903-0756
|
Family ID: |
38573602 |
Appl. No.: |
11/397030 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
47/41.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/505
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
047/041.12 |
International
Class: |
A47G 7/02 20060101
A47G007/02 |
Claims
1-6. (canceled)
7. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that
provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping
comprised of: a floral foam block with a top surface, a bottom
surface, perimeter walls and a volume of moisture absorbing fine
cell floral foam chosen from a group consisting of cubical and
cylindrical blocks; said top surface has sufficient cross sectional
area as to receive all said cut flower stems of said bundle of
flowers; said volume of fine cell moisture absorbing foam
sufficient to provide the required moisture to allow said
predetermined size bundle of flowers to survive its given shipping
times and allow said bundle of flowers to arrive at their
destination hydrated; a soak tank wherein said blocks of floral
foam with said cut flower stems inserted into said blocks of floral
foam are soaked until said floral foam blocks are saturated and
said cut flower stems are fully hydrated in a solution chosen from
a group of plain water, water with floral nutrients, or water with
floral preservatives and nutrients; a plastic bag to enclose said
saturated block of floral foam with said cut ends of said flower
stems inserted; a plurality of packets of floral preservative
wrapped around outside of top of said plastic bag; and a bag top
fastener wrapped around top of said bag and preservative packets,
securely fastening top of said bag around said bundle of flower
stems and attaching said preservative packets selected from a group
of wire ties, rubber bands or plastic slip latches, whereby
evaporation of said moisture is minimized and cut flowers arrive
fresh, healthy and hydrated.
8. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that
provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping as
in claim 7 further comprising: stem wells in said floral foam
blocks where a pattern of said wells is selected from a group of
patterns that match the quantity and diameter of flower stems to be
packaged or patterns that provide for minimized crushing of said
floral foam during insertion when said stems are not aligned with
said wells prior to said insertion; said wells are at an
approximate depth from said top surface as approximately one half
of the length of said perimeter walls; and said wells outer wall
tangents to be sufficiently inboard of said blocks outer walls as
to maintain the stability of said foam blocks.
9. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that
provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping
comprised of: a floral foam block with a top surface, a bottom
surface, perimeter walls, a volume of moisture absorbing fine cell
floral foam chosen from a group consisting of twice-required length
rectangular and cylindrical blocks and required length cylindrical
blocks; said twice-length rectangular and cylindrical floral foam
blocks are shrink wrapped with typical shrink wrap plastic
materials and processes and severed into two approximately equal
length shrink-wrapped segments with said severed surface open for
flower stem insertion and said bottom surface either having a
drainage hole opened in said bottom surface of said shrink-wrap
plastic material whereby excess preservative solution is allowed to
drain prior to bagging operation or said bottom surface is left
sealed whereby evaporation of absorbed preservative solution is
minimized and floral foam blocks are protected from breaking and
falling away from said flower stems during insertion or shipping by
the banding effect of said shrink-wrap; said required length
cylindrical floral foam blocks are sleeve type shrink-wrapped with
materials that either shrink to the exact height of said required
length cylinder of floral foam or overlap either the top and/or
bottom of said cylindrical floral foam block leaving said top
surface open for flower stem insertion and said bottom surface open
whereby excess preservative solution is allowed to drain prior to
bagging operation and evaporation of absorbed preservative solution
is reduced, and floral foam blocks are protected from breaking and
falling away from said flower stems during insertion or shipping by
the banding effect of said shrink-wrap; said top surface has
sufficient cross-sectional area as to receive all said cut flower
stems of said bundle of flowers; said volume of fine cell moisture
absorbing foam sufficient to provide the required moisture to allow
said bundle of flowers to survive its given shipping times and
allow said bundle of flowers to arrive at their destination
hydrated; a soak tank wherein said blocks of floral foam with said
cut flower stems inserted into said blocks of floral foam are
soaked in a preservative solution until said floral foam blocks are
saturated and said cut flower stems are fully hydrated in said
preservative solution and any excess moisture is allowed to drain
from said saturated blocks of floral foam; said preservative
solution is chosen from a group of plain water, water with floral
nutrients, or water with floral preservatives and nutrients; a
plastic bag to enclose said saturated block of floral foam with
said cut ends of flower stems inserted; a plurality of packets of
floral preservative wrapped around outside of top of said plastic
bag; and a bag top fastener wrapped around top of said bag and
preservative packets, securely fastening top of said bag around
said bundle of flower stems and attaching said preservative packets
selected from a group of wire ties, rubber bands or plastic slip
latches, whereby evaporation of said moisture is minimized and cut
flowers arrive fresh, healthy and hydrated.
10. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that
provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping as
in claim 9 further comprising: stem wells in said floral foam
blocks where a pattern of said wells is selected from a group of
patterns that match the quantity and diameter of flower stems to be
packaged or patterns that provide for minimized crushing of said
floral foam during insertion when said stems are not aligned with
said wells prior to said insertion; said wells are at an
approximate depth from said top surface as approximately one half
of the length of said perimeter walls; and said wells outer wall
tangents to be sufficiently inboard of said blocks outer walls as
to maintain the stability of said foam blocks.
11. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that
provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping
comprised of: a floral foam block with a top surface, a bottom
surface, perimeter walls and a volume of moisture absorbing fine
cell floral foam chosen from a group consisting of cubical and
cylindrical blocks; plastic boxes for encasement of said floral
foam blocks with snap on lids with openings to allow access to said
top surface of said floral foam blocks for said cut stem insertion
where said box shapes are selected from the group of cubic or
cylindrical boxes, with and without bottom drains, whereby cut stem
ends are protected by said boxes against bruising or crushing
during shipping; said lid openings have sufficient cross sectional
area as to receive all the cut flower stems of said bundle of
flowers; said volume of fine cell moisture absorbing foam is
sufficient to provide the required moisture to allow said bundle of
flowers to survive its given shipping times and allow said bundle
of flowers to arrive at their destination hydrated; a soak tank
wherein said blocks of floral foam with said cut flower stems
inserted into said blocks of floral foam that are inserted in said
plastic boxes are soaked until said floral foam blocks are
saturated and said cut stems are fully hydrated in a solution
chosen from a group of plain water, water with floral nutrients, or
water with floral preservatives and nutrients; a plastic bag to
enclose said plastic box with said saturated block of floral foam
with said cut ends of flower stems inserted; a plurality of packets
of floral preservative wrapped around outside of top of said
plastic bag; and a bag top fastener wrapped around top of said bag
and preservative packets, securely fastening top of said bag around
said bundle of flower stems and attaching said preservative packets
selected from a group of wire ties, rubber bands or plastic slip
latches, whereby evaporation of said moisture is minimized and cut
flowers arrive fresh, healthy and hydrated.
12. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that
provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping as
in claim 11 further comprising: stem wells in said floral foam
blocks where a pattern of said wells is selected from a group of
patterns that match the quantity and diameter of flower stems to be
packaged or patterns that provide for minimized crushing of said
floral foam during insertion when said stems are not aligned with
said wells prior to said insertion; said wells are at an
approximate depth from said top surface as approximately one half
of the length of said perimeter walls; and said wells outer wall
tangents to be sufficiently inboard of said blocks outer walls as
to maintain the stability of said foam blocks; and said wells outer
walls to be sufficiently inboard of said blocks outer walls as
avoid said cut flower stems abrasion against said openings in said
plastic lids.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to an apparatus for
shipping flowers that provides moisture and nutrients to the
flowers during shipping which significantly increases their life
expectancy and a method of using same.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,059 Moore 1971 disclosed a block of
absorbent floral foam enclosed in a cardboard box with a large
opening at the top which is covered by a thin, flower stem
penetrable plastic film. The foam is soaked in water and flower
stems are individually punched through the plastic film and buried
into the water soaked foam. This system is prone to leakage and is
limited in that the flowers must be individually inserted, the
boxes and film are expensive to make and time consuming to use and
the foam dries up over time.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,915 Harris 1992 aftempts to resolve
these problems by providing a water filled or a water soaked floral
foam filled container with cut flower stems inserted and a rigid,
non-absorbent, foamed in-place block of material to seal the
moisture in the bottom section and provide support to the cut
flower stems. This system is also relatively expensive and time
consuming.
[0006] 2005/0138862 O'Conner 2005 discloses another approach to
solve the problem of moisture leaking from a water well with flower
stems inserted by providing a foam block with openings through it,
slightly larger than the flower stems in question inserted, in a
flexible ring above water surface. After the flower stems are
individually inserted into their individual channels the ring is
radially compressed, sealing each stem in its own passageway. Again
this is a time consuming and expensive system to utilize.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,475 Weder et al. 1994 discloses a
simpler less expensive system by providing a sheet of moisture
absorbing and releasing material to be soaked in water and wrapped
around a group of cut flower stems and secured with a rubber band.
This product often allows the flower stems in the center a bundle
to be out of contact with the moisture-carrying sheet of material
or crushed by rough handling or packing and allows the onset of
stenosis before the flowers are delivered.
SUMMARY
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a leak free
apparatus and a method of using same for providing moisture at the
cut end of the stems of flower bundles during shipping.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
leak free apparatus and a method of using same for providing
moisture at the cut end of the stems of flower bundles during
shipping which allows a single flower stem or the full bundle to be
entered into the moisture carrying medium with just one
insertion.
[0010] A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a
method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the
stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein the moisture
carrying medium is encased on all sides and the perimeter of the
bottom with an impervious barrier, leaving the top surface open for
floral insertion and the center of the bottom surface open for
excess moisture drainage before bagging.
[0011] A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a
method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the
stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein various sizes and
shapes of moisture carrying medium apparatus are provided for
different size and groupings of cut flowers.
[0012] A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a
method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the
stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein the flower stems
are inserted into the moisture carrier medium and soaked in water
until moisture carrier medium is saturated and flower stems have
absorbed as much moisture as they can, and packaged for shipping in
an economic and efficient process.
[0013] A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a
method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the
stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein the moisture
carrying medium is highly compressible or compatible, reducing
landfill disposal requirements.
[0014] A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a
method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the
stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein the cut ends of the
flower stems to be shipped are protected from bruising or crushing
that would block the flow of moisture into the cut ends of the
stems.
[0015] A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a
method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the
stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein the moisture
carrying medium is not crushed by insertion of the cut flower stems
either by providing clearance wells or by giving the displaced
material room to move and floral foam block stability is enhanced
by the banding effect of shrink-wrapping the perimeter walls.
[0016] The present invention, in its several embodiments, meets the
above mentioned objectives.
[0017] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent
from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying
drawings. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings which form a part thereof, and in which are shown, by way
of illustration, four specific embodiments in which the invention
may be practiced. These embodiments will be subscribed in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
this invention, and be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing
from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like
reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout
the several views.
DRAWINGS
[0018] In order that the invention may be more fully understood it
will now be described by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying exemplary drawings in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a foam cylindrical
block.
[0020] FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a sleeve type
shrink-wrapped cylindrical block of floral foam with no overlap on
top.
[0021] FIG. 1B is a bottom perspective view of a sleeve type
shrink-wrapped cylindrical block of floral foam with no overlap on
Bottom.
[0022] FIG. 1C is a top perspective view of a sleeve type
shrink-wrapped cylindrical block of floral foam with an overlap on
top.
[0023] FIG. 1D is a bottom perspective view of a sleeve type
shrink-wrapped cylindrical block of floral foam with an overlap on
bottom.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a foam cubical
Block.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a twice-required length
cylindrical block of floral foam.
[0026] FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of a shrink-wrapped
twice-required length cylindrical block of floral foam.
[0027] FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped
foam cylindrical block severed into two equal parts.
[0028] FIG. 3C is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped
foam cylindrical block severed into two equal parts with drain
holes in the bottom of the shrink-wrap material.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a twice-required length
rectangular block of floral foam.
[0030] FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of a shrink-wrapped
twice-required length rectangular block of floral foam.
[0031] FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped
foam rectangular block severed into two equal parts.
[0032] FIG. 4C is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped
foam rectangular block severed into two equal parts with drain
holes in the bottom of the shrink-wrap material.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a foam cylindrical block
with flower stems inserted.
[0034] FIG.6 is a front view of a foam block with flower stems
inserted being soaked in moisture loading tank.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a soaked foam cylindrical
block with flower stems inserted in a plastic bag, ready for
shipment.
[0036] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a cubical plastic case with
living hinge snap-seal lid, open with a cubical block of floral
foam inserted.
[0037] FIG. 8b is a perspective view of a cubical plastic case with
living hinge snap sealed lid closed, with a cubical block of floral
foam inserted.
[0038] FIG. 8C is an enlarged partial section view showing the snap
details on the inside edge of the lid and mating detail on the
outside of the plastic case.
[0039] FIG. 8D is a bottom perspective view of a cubical plastic
case with a cubical block of floral foam inserted without a drain
hole.
[0040] FIG. 8E is a bottom perspective view of a cubical plastic
case with a cubical block of floral foam inserted with a drain
hole.
[0041] FIG. 8F is a top perspective view of a cubical plastic case
with a cubical block of floral foam with a pattern of stem wells
inserted.
[0042] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a cylindrical plastic case
with a closed snap sealed lid with a cylindrical block of floral
foam inserted.
[0043] FIG. 9B is bottom perspective view of a cylindrical plastic
case with a closed snap sealed lid with a cylindrical block of
floral foam inserted with a drain hole in the bottom surface.
[0044] FIG. 9C is a perspective view of a cylindrical plastic case
with a closed snap sealed lid with a cylindrical block of floral
foam with a pattern of stem wells inserted.
[0045] FIG. 10A is a top perspective view showing a cylindrical
block of floral foam with stem wells.
[0046] FIG. 10B is a front perspective view of a shrink-wrapped
foam cylindrical block with a pattern of stem wells.
[0047] FIG. 10C is a front perspective view of a sleeve type
shrink-wrapped cylindrical block of floral foam with a pattern of
stem wells.
[0048] FIG. 11A is a front perspective view showing a cubical block
of floral foam with stem wells.
[0049] FIG. 11B is a front perspective view of a shrink-wrapped
foam cubical block with a pattern of stem wells.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0050] The same reference numbers are used to refer to the same or
similar parts in the various views. [0051] 12--Aquapac System
[0052] 14--cylindrical floral foam block [0053] 15--cylindrical
floral foam block with stem wells [0054] 16--cubical floral foam
block [0055] 17--cubical floral foam block with stem wells [0056]
18--twice-required length cylindrical foam block [0057] 19--Plastic
shrink-wrap [0058] 20--twice-required length rectangular foam block
[0059] 21--Plastic sleeve shrink-wrap [0060] 22--cut flower stems
[0061] 24--plastic bag [0062] 26--bag top fasteners [0063] 28--soak
tank [0064] 30--foam block top surface [0065] 32--foam block bottom
surface [0066] 34--foam block perimeter wall [0067] 36--flower
bundle [0068] 38--preservative packets [0069] 40--preservative
solution [0070] 42--living hinges [0071] 44--lid snap-latch bead
[0072] 46--case snap-latch bead [0073] 48--lid [0074]
50--cylindrical plastic case [0075] 52--individual stem wells
[0076] 53--cubical plastic case [0077] 54--cubical plastic case
with hinged snap-sealed lid [0078] 56--shrink-wrapped twice-length
cylindrical floral foam block [0079] 58--severed segment of
shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical floral foam block [0080]
60--shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular floral foam block
[0081] 62--severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length
rectangular floral foam block [0082] 64--cubical plastic case
assembly [0083] 66--cylindrical plastic case assembly [0084]
68--severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical
floral foam block with stem wells [0085] 70--severed segment of
shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular foam block with stem wells
[0086] 72--cylindrical plastic case assembly with stem wells [0087]
74--cubical plastic assembly with stem wells [0088] 76--excess
water drain hole [0089] 78--sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical foam
block with top overlap [0090] 80--sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical
foam block with bottom overlap [0091] 82--sleeve shrink-wrapped
cylindrical foam block with no top overlap [0092] 84--sleeve
shrink-wrapped cylindrical foam block with stem wells with no
bottom overlap [0093] 86--cubical plastic case assembly with drain
hole [0094] 88--cylindrical plastic case with drain hole [0095]
90--cylindrical plastic case assembly with drain hole [0096]
92--cylindrical block of floral foam sleeve shrink-wrapped with
stem wells [0097] 94--severed segment of shrink-wrapped
twice-length cylindrical floral foam block with drain hole [0098]
96--severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular
floral floral foam block with drain hole
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0099] Four embodiments of Aquapac 12 will now be described, by way
of example, with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1 through
11B.
[0100] The first preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and
5-7. FIGS. 1 and 2 show floral foam blocks 14 and 16 in cylindrical
and cubic shapes respectively. Floral foam blocks 14 and 16 can be
cut from an extruded block of fine open cell floral foam such
AQUAFOAM.RTM. from Syndicate Sales, Inc. in various predetermined
diameter or diagonal dimensions. Blocks 14 and 16 are sized to have
sufficient cross-sectional areas to receive cut flower stems 22 of
the desired size shipping flower bundle 36. They also are sized to
contain sufficient moisture carrying capabilities to provide the
moisture and or nutrients required allowing flower bundles 36 to
arrive at their destinations in a hydrated state. Blocks made from
this material crush to a powder form, dramatically reducing
landfill disposal requirements.
Operation:
[0101] Foam blocks 14 and 16, plastic bags 24, preservative packets
38 and bag top fasteners 26 are delivered to florist or wholesaler
for use in packing flowers, maximizing their life expectancy.
[0102] Cut flower stems 22 are inserted through foam block top
surface 30, as shown in FIG. 5, and buried in floral foam block 14
and 16.
[0103] Flower bundles 36 with their cut stems 22 buried in floral
foam blocks 14 and 16, as shown in FIG. 5, are then submersed in
soak tank 28. FIG. 6 shows a front view of same. Floral foam blocks
14 and 16 with cut stems 22 inserted are left in soak tank 28 a
sufficient time for floral foam bock 14 and 16 to become saturated
and for cut flower stems 22 to become as fully hydrated as
possible. Typically this occurs overnight but would vary with
different size bundles and different species of flowers. Soak tank
28 is preferably filled with preservative solution 40. Solution 40
can be of cool water or a mixture of water, nutrients and
preservatives.
[0104] FIG. 7 shows saturated block 14 or 16 with cut flower stems
22 inserted, placed into plastic bag 24 with several preservative
packets 38 wrapped around the top of the bag and secured by bag top
fasteners 26 such as wire ties or rubber bands. Bag top fasteners
26 hold preservative packets 38 in place. They also seal the top
opening of plastic bag 24 tight enough to flower stems 22 to
prevent leakage or evaporation of the needed moisture, but not so
tight as to collapse the moisture carrying capillaries in cut
flower stems 22. The hydrated bouquet in Aquapac 12 package is then
placed in a shipping container, not shown or part of this
invention.
[0105] The second preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D,
3-3C and 4-4C and is processed in the same manner as the first
embodiment above except it provides another step in evaporation
prevention. FIGS. 3 and 4 show floral foam blocks 18 and 20 in
cylindrical and rectangular forms respectively that are twice as
long as required. Floral foam blocks 18 and 20 are then
shrink-wrapped using conventional total enclosure shrink-wrap
materials 19 and processes; or are shrink-wrapped utilizing the
conventional sleeve type of shrink-wrapping materials 21 and
processes.
[0106] The conventional shrink-wrapping process creates
shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical floral foam block 56 and
shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular floral foam block 60
respectively as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A. These shrink-wrapped
floral foam block assemblies 56 and 60 are then severed into two
approximately equal length cylindrical segments 58 and cubical
segments 62 respectively as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B. This
operation leaves foam block bottom surface 32 and foam block
perimeter walls 34 impervious to moisture and foam block top
surface 30 open for insertion of cut flower stems 22. Shrink-wrap
materials 19 on the bottom and perimeter walls 32 and 34 reduce
exposed surface area and proportionally reduce evaporation of
absorbed moisture. FIGS. 3C and 4C show drain hole 76 may be cut in
the bottom of shrink-wrap material 19 of severed segments 94 and 96
to allow any excess preservative solution 40 to drain from foam
before it is placed in plastic bag 24 and sealed with bag top
fasteners 26.
[0107] A sleeve type shrink-wrapping process option eliminates the
severing operation and drain hole 76 cutting process steps by using
a cylindrical sleeve of shrink-wrap material 21 that may be sized
to shrink to the exact length of the cylindrical foam block 14 used
or slightly longer than cylindrical floral foam block 14 that is
being encased. The excess material can be wrapped either on top or
under cylindrical floral foam block 14 or some overlap allowed on
both top and bottom surfaces 30 and 32 respectively as is shown in
FIGS. 1A-1D and 10C.
Operation:
[0108] Shrink-wrapped foam segments 58, 62, 78, 80, 82, 84, 94 and
96, plastic bags 24, preservative packets 38 and bag top fasteners
26 are delivered to florist or wholesaler for use in packaging
flowers, maximizing their life expectancy.
[0109] The process of floral insertion, soaking and bagging is then
the same as in embodiment one above.
[0110] The third embodiment replaces the shrink-wrap encasements
58, 62, 78, 80, 82, 84, 94 and 96 from embodiment two above with
cylindrical plastic cases 50 and 88 with drain hole 76 or cubical
plastic cases 53, 54 or 86 with drain hole 76, with snap-on lids 48
with openings through which to insert cut flower stems 22 as shown
in FIGS. 8A-E and 9A and 9B. In this embodiment, floral foam blocks
14 and 16 are inserted into plastic cases 50 and 86, or 53, 54 and
88 respectively and lids 48 are snapped into place, forming cubical
plastic case assemblies 64, 74 and 86 and cylindrical plastic case
assemblies 66, 72 and 90. A preferred snap detail is shown in the
enlarged cross section view of FIG. 8C where bead 46 runs around
the outside of perimeter walls 34 close to the top of the case. An
overlapping or snap-over bead 44 is located on the inside bottom
edge of lids 48. Either cylindrical case 50 and 88, or cubical
cases 53, 54 and 86 can be easily molded with lids 48 attached to
case walls 34 with living hinges 42 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B or
with separate lids 48 as shown in FIGS. 8D-F and 9A-C and any of
the standard plastic case lid fasteners would suffice.
Operation:
[0111] Plastic case assemblies 64, 66, 72, 74, and 86, plastic bags
24, preservative packets 38 and bag top fasteners 26 are delivered
to florist or wholesaler for use in packaging flowers, maximizing
their life expectancy.
[0112] Bundles of cut flower stems 20 are then inserted though the
openings in lids 48 and buried in foam blocks 14 and 16. The
process of soaking and bagging is then the same as in embodiments
one and two above. The additional rigidity of plastic cases 50 and
86, or 53, 54 and 88 provides an extra measure of crush and or
bruise protection to the relatively fragile cut ends of the flower
stems 22 which must remain open to allow moisture flow into stems
22.
[0113] The fourth embodiment entails adding stem wells 52 into the
floral foam blocks to minimize crushing of the foam material from
flower stem insertion as illustrated in FIGS. 8F, 9C, 10A-10C and
11A and 11B.
[0114] Addition of stem wells 52 in floral foam blocks 15 and 17 is
shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A respectively. Stem wells 52 provide
clearance for stems 22, maximizing the moisture absorption
capability of these foam blocks by reducing the crushing of the
floral foam from forcing flower stems 22 into solid floral foam
blocks. This modification entails forming stem wells 52 in a
pattern to fit the size and number of stems 22 in the intended
bundle 36 to be shipped. Stem wells 52 are preferably formed
starting at top surface 30 and progressing to a depth of
approximately one half of perimeter wall 34 length. Stem wells 52
preferably have an appropriate diameter such that the stem 22 walls
remain in contact with the moisture bearing floral foam. The
pattern of stem wells 52 needs to be such as to keep an inscribed
annular ring of approximately 2 cm. in width clear of any stem
wells 52 to maintain stability of foam blocks 15 and 17. Although
stem wells 52 can be sized to provide a light slip fit to
individual stems 22, they also can provide for an easier insertion
into the dry foam of a bundle of flower stems by giving the
displaced foam from stem insertion a place to move without
crushing.
[0115] FIGS. 10B, 10C and 11B show similar modifications to
shrink-wrapped cylindrical floral foam block with stem wells 68, to
shrink-wrapped cubical floral foam block with stem wells 70, and to
sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical floral foam block with stem wells
92 that provide similar crush reduction and moisture absorption
improvements.
[0116] FIGS. 8F and 9C show case assemblies 74 and 72 with similar
patterns of stem wells 52. Sufficient clearance between the
outboard tangents of the well diameter and the I.D. of the lid 48
opening are required to keep flower stems 22 from riding on the
plastic lid 48 edge. FIGS. 8E-F shows optional cubical case design
53 without living hinges 42.
Operation:
[0117] Foam blocks 15 and 17, shrink-wrapped foam segments 68, 70,
92, 94, and 96, plastic case assemblies 72, 74, 86 and 90, plastic
bags 24, preservative packets 38 and bag top fasteners 26 are
delivered to florist or wholesaler for use in packaging flowers,
maximizing their life expectancy.
[0118] This embodiment with the individual stem well 52 patterns
requires a little more care in the insertion of stems 22 into wells
52 but provides more beneficial contact between the stem 22 walls
and the moisture bearing floral foam when individual stems 22 are
inserted into the individual stem wells 52. The ease of insertion
of an entire bundle of stems 22 is also enhanced even if the stems
22 do not fit into wells 52 because the foam material displaced by
the penetrating flower stems 22 has a space in which to relocate
provided by the stem wells 52. After flower stem 22 insertions, the
rest of the soaking, bagging and shipping process is the same as in
previously described embodiments.
[0119] While this invention has been described with reference to
four illustrative embodiments, it will be understood that this
description is not limiting as to size, scale or construction
materials. Rather, the scope of this invention is defined by the
following claims.
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