U.S. patent number 3,924,354 [Application Number 05/493,037] was granted by the patent office on 1975-12-09 for shipping and display carton for cut flowers.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Gregoire Flowers, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gerald L. Gregoire.
United States Patent |
3,924,354 |
Gregoire |
December 9, 1975 |
Shipping and display carton for cut flowers
Abstract
Individually packaged bunches of cut flowers are carried in a
compartmented tray. The lower end of each flower bunch is wrapped
in a watertight wrapper which forms a pouch. The pouch is partially
filled with a liquid preservative and is tied to the flower stems.
Each separate flower bunch and related pouch can be removed from
the tray without fluid dripping and can be sold as a unit to a
customer. The tray is displayed at a desired height by a base
having tray supports formed in the side walls. The base holds the
tray securely in a fixed vertical and horizontal position within an
open upper end. The base is also constructed to serve as the top
for the shipping carton for the cut flowers when the base is
inverted from the display position and slipped down over the top of
the tray in a shipping position.
Inventors: |
Gregoire; Gerald L. (San
Rafael, CA) |
Assignee: |
Gregoire Flowers, Inc. (San
Francisco, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
23958647 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/493,037 |
Filed: |
July 30, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
47/41.01;
206/45.2; 206/423 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
5/5002 (20130101); B65D 85/505 (20130101); B65D
5/68 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
5/64 (20060101); B65D 5/50 (20060101); B65D
5/68 (20060101); B65D 85/50 (20060101); B65D
085/50 () |
Field of
Search: |
;47/34.11,34.13,41-41.13
;206/423,45.2 ;229/87P,21,28,42 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bagwill; Robert E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Owen, Wickersham & Erickson
Claims
I claim:
1. A shipping and display carton for shipping and displaying in a
vertically upright condition a plurality of separate, pre-bunched,
cut flower bunches of the kind in which each bunch has a liquid
containing pouch tied around the lower stem end of the bunch, said
shipping and display carton comprising,
an internally compartmented tray for holding separate flower
bunches upright in compartments in the tray,
said tray being rectangularly shaped with a bottom wall and four
side walls,
a rectangular shaped base and enclosure unit for positioning the
tray at a desired height in the display position of the unit,
said base and enclosure unit having four side walls dimensioned to
fit closely over the sides of the tray, an end wall closing one end
of the unit and an open end at the other end of the unit,
tray retainer means for holding the tray in a fixed vertical
position in the upper part of the unit in said display
position,
said tray retainer means including tray supports which project
inwardly from the side walls and engage the bottom wall of the tray
in said display position and are so located in the side walls as to
engage the top edge of the tray in the shipping position to thereby
retain the tray in a fixed position within the base and enclosure
unit in the shipping position as well as in the display
position,
wherein the base and enclosure unit has a vertical height and an
open interior which enables the unit to form the top enclosure for
a shipping carton for the cut flower bunches when the unit is
inverted from the display position and slipped over the flowers and
tray to a shipping position in which the end wall extends over the
top of the flowers and the side walls extend down around the stems
of the flowers and the sides of the tray, a plurality of liquid
retaining pouches with each pouch having a liquid therein and
adapted to contain the lower ends of the stems of an individual cut
flower bunch, and
said tray having a plurality of internal compartments with each
compartment having internal dimensions and a shape so related to
the size and shape of a liquid retaining pouch placed in the
compartment as to hold the pouch and related cut flower bunch
vertically upright during both the shipping and display modes of
operation of the carton.
2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the tray retainer means
comprises two vertically spaced and horizontally extending cuts in
each side wall at each corner of the rectangular shaped base and
enclosure unit and wherein the material between each pair of cuts
is pressed inward to a reversed corner fold line position.
3. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the tray has a first
set of parallel and laterally spaced divider strips and a second
set of parallel and laterally spaced divider strips disposed at
90.degree. to said first set and wherein the first and second sets
of divider strips are interlocked to form a plurality of relatively
rigid individual compartments each having four vertically extending
side walls closely spaced and of sufficient height to provide
support for the lower end of the bunch of flowers inserted in the
compartment.
4. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the fluid in each pouch
contains a perservative for maintaining the freshness of the flower
bunch.
5. The invention defined in claim 1 including a tie around the
upper part of each pouch for tying the upper part of the pouch
against the flower stems whereby each flower bunch and its pouch
can be lifted bodily out of the related tray compartment for sale
as a unit to a customer without dripping of liquid from the flower
stems.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a shipping and display carton for cut
flowers. It relates particularly to a flower bunch packaging and
display arrangement which enables separate flower bunches to be
pre-bunched with integral liquid preservative pouches and readily
merchandised without fluid dripping or mess in high traffic areas
of retail shops such as drugstores, liquor stores, delicatessens
and the like.
Cut flowers are usually sold on the retail level by florist shops,
and to some extent in the produce areas of supermarkets.
One reason that the sales of cut flowers are largely confined to
such outlets is because of the water or preservative that is
required to prevent wilting. The fact that cut flowers are usually
shipped in relatively large quantities is also a factor which tends
to restrict the number and type of retail outlets for cut
flowers.
Since it is necessary either to refrigerate cut flowers or to keep
the stems of the cut flowers in water or a preservative to prevent
wilting, the flowers sold at the retail level are usually kept in
large liquid filled containers or vases if refrigeration is not
available or convenient.
Most retail customers want only a few flowers, usually no more than
six or 12. The prior art retail flower vendor therefore took the
desired number of flowers from a larger group and wrapped them in
an individual wrapper or package at the point of sale. As a result,
the prior art cut flower vendors were located either where there
was refrigeration or where water dripping incident to the wrapping
or other handling of the cut flowers could be tolerated.
Many cut flower purchases are impulse purchases, and the sales of
cut flowers can be substantially increased by displaying the cut
flowers in high traffic areas of shops such as drugstores,
delicatessens, liquor stores, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an important object of the present invention to display cut
flowers in a way that the cut flowers can be located in areas of
high pedestrian traffic.
It is a closely related object to pre-bunch and pre-package cut
flowers in bunches with a small number of flowers in each bunch and
in a way that not only presents the flowers attractively but also
eliminates the need for refrigeration and avoids problems of water
dripping and mess. The flowers can therefore be located in areas
that have the greatest potential for increased sales.
The cut flower display structure of the present invention has a
compartmented tray for holding separate flower bunches upright in
the compartments in the tray. For display purposes the tray is
supported with the open upper end of a rectangular shaped base. The
tray also forms the bottom part of a shipping carton; and the
rectangular base, when inverted, provides the top part or enclosure
for the shipping carton.
The compartments in the tray are formed by two sets of parallel
extending divider strips which are disposed at right angles to one
another and interlocked together. Each individual compartment
therefore has four relatively closely spaced side walls which are
tall enough to provide the sidewise support required for holding
the stems of a related flower bunch upright.
The lower end of each flower bunch is wrapped in a waterproof
wrapper that forms a pouch about the lower ends of the stems of the
flower bunch. This pouch is partially filled with a liquid
preservative. The pouch is securely fastened to the stems of the
flower bunch so that the liquid is maintained within the pouch
during shipping and display, and the flower bunch and the pouch can
be inserted into or withdrawn from the compartment as an integral
unit.
As noted above, the upper part of the shipping carton is a
rectangular shaped unit which also serves as the base for holding
the tray at a desired display height when the shipping carton is
converted to a display carton. In the shipping position the top is
slipped over the cut flowers and the rectangular base until
retainer elements (which project inwardly from the sides of the top
enclosure) engage the upper edge of the tray. Straps are then
fastened about the top enclosure and tray, and the tray is retained
in a fixed position in a shipping carton by the retainer
elements.
The shipping carton is converted to a display carton by cutting off
the shipping straps, lifting up the top enclosure, inverting it and
placing it with the end wall down on the floor and with the open
end up for the reception of the tray. The tray is lowered into the
open upper end until the bottom of the tray comes to rest on the
inwardly projecting retainers. This base unit is high enough to
bring the blossoms of the cut flowers near enough to eye level to
make the flowers highly visible to a person walking past the
display.
Since each separate flower bunch is packaged in its own watertight
pouch, the display carton can be located at any store or storefront
location without the need for additional water or preservative
containers or refrigeration. And, the separate flower bunches can
be lifted directly out of the tray compartments and sold to a
customer in small flower unit groupings without water dripping or
mess.
Cut flower shipping and display apparatus and methods which
incorporate the structure and techniques described above and which
are effective to function as described above constitute specific
objects of this invention.
Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent
from the following description and claims and are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show
preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles
thereof and what are now considered to be the best modes
contemplated for applying these principles. Other embodiments of
the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be
used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled
in the art without departing from the present invention and the
purview of the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a shipping and display carton for
cut flowers constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 1 shows the carton in the shipping position
with the top enclosure strapped to the lower compartmented tray
which holds the flower bunches;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view like FIG. 1 but showing the top
enclosure removed from the compartmented tray (as it is raised in
the direction indicated by the block arrow in FIGS. 1 and 2);
FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing the top enclosure and base
member inverted (from the FIG. 1 shipping position) and used as a
base for holding the compartmented tray and flower bunches within
the top of the base in the display position;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation view of one of the separate
flower bunches held within the compartmented tray;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged end elevation view in cross section taken
along the line and in the direction indicated by the arrows 5--5 in
FIG. 1 and shows how retainers in the side walls of the top hold
the tray down in the shipping position; and
FIG. 6 is an enlarged end elevation view in cross section taken
along the line and in the direction indicated by the arrows 6--6 in
FIG. 3 and shows how the retainers in the side walls support the
compartmented tray in the display position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A shipping and display carton for cut flowers constructed in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is
indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1.
As best illustrated in FIG. 2 the combined shipping and display
carton 10 comprises two main component parts -- an internally
compartmented tray 12 and a combination top enclosure and base
member 14.
The compartmented tray 12 is a rectangularly shaped tray having a
bottom wall 16 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and side walls 18.
The interior of the tray is divided into a plurality of relatively
rigid individual compartments 20 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) by interlocked
divider strips. Thus, as best shown in FIG. 2, a first set of
laterally spaced divider strips 22 are disposed parallel to one
side wall 18 and a second set of laterally spaced divider strips 24
are disposed at 90.degree. to the divider strips 22. The two sets
of divider strips are interlocked together by slots in the upper
edges of one set of strips which fit into corresponding slots in
the lower edges of the other set of strips.
Each individual compartment 20 has four vertically extending side
walls which are closely spaced and which are of sufficient height
to provide support for the lower end of a separate flower bunch 30
as illustrated in FIG. 4.
As shown in FIG. 4 the lower end of the flower bunch 30 is wrapped
in a watertight wrapping 32 which forms a pouch as illustrated. The
pouch is filled with liquid 34 to a sufficient depth to immerse the
stem ends of all of the flowers in the bunch.
The liquid 34 is preferably a preservative for maintaining the
freshness of the flower bunch. It contains sucrose for nutrition
and a bacteriacide to keep the stems from getting clogged up.
Because each pouch has its own preservative, the need for
refrigeration is minimized; and this in turn permits the greatest
potential for display of the flowers at locations where they will
sell best.
In a specific embodiment of the present invention the wrapping 32
is Polyflex plastic. The upper end of the pouch may be tied with a
plastic tie bit 36 as illustrated, or may be closed with a rubber
band or other tie.
In most cases it is preferable to package just a few flowers (e.g.,
six to 10 flowers) in an individual bunch, because quite often the
customer does not want a greater number of flowers (such as the
25-flower bunch often used for commercial shipment).
The packaging of a relatively small number of flowers in individual
bunches with the lower tied-on pouch arrangement illustrated in
FIG. 4 has the further advantage of leaving the top open so that
the customer can see and smell the blossoms.
When the customer buys the flower bunch the entire bunch with the
pouch can be placed in a vase as is (which has the advantage of
keeping the flowers in the preservative as long as possible), or
the lower pouch can be removed and the inner preservative can be
poured into the vase with the flowers.
Prepackaging (prior to shipping) the individual flower bunches with
liquid containing pouches thus has a number of advantages at the
point of sale. This prepackaging also has definite advantages in
shipping and in handling the flowers after arrival of the shipment.
The preservative keeps the flowers fresh, minimizes the need for
refrigeration, and the way the compartmented tray holds the
individual flower bunches upright within the tray and the shipping
container minimizes the handling required.
The liquid can be added to the pouches and the top of the pouches
tied off before the bunches are inserted in the tray. Or the tops
of the pouches can be left open and the liquid added to all of the
pouches at one time, after the individual bunches have been
inserted into their compartments, and the tops of the pouches then
tied off.
The top 14 for the carton 10 serves a dual purpose.
It serves as top enclosure for shipping. In the shipping position
the top 14 is banded to the tray 12 by bands 40.
The top enclosure 14 also serves as a base to support the
compartmented tray 12 in a display position, as illustrated in FIG.
3. To convert the carton 10 from a shipping carton to a display
carton, the bands 40 are cut and the top enclosure 14 is raised off
of the tray 12 (by lifting the top in the direction of the block
arrow on the side of the top enclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 2).
The top enclosure is then turned upside down (to the position
illustrated in FIG. 3), and the compartmented tray 18 is lowered
into the open upper end of the top enclosure 14, which now serves
as a base unit.
The top enclosure has a top wall 42 and side walls 44. The side
walls 44 at each corner have two vertically spaced and horizontally
extending cuts, and the corners between these cuts 46 and 48 are
pushed inward to a reversed fold line position to provide inwardly
extending corner panels 50 which serve as retainer means for
supporting the tray in the display position. The upper edges of the
panels 50 (in the position illustrated in FIG. 3) engage the lower
surface of the bottom wall 16 of the tray (see FIG. 6) to hold the
tray securely in the display position. These edges of the panels 50
also engage the upper edges of the tray side walls 18 in the
shipping position (see FIG. 5) to hold the tray against vertical
upward movement within the top enclosure 14 when the top enclosure
and tray are strapped together in the shipping position as
illustrated in FIG. 1.
The top and base enclosure 14 also lends itself to an advertising
function, because the side walls of the top enclosure (when used in
the base position) offer large, easily viewed surface areas for
press on label graphics, such as the "Holiday Greetings"
illustrated in FIG. 3.
While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of
my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of
variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be
limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail
myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview
of the following claims.
* * * * *