Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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~ield of the Invention
This invention relates to safety packaging for floral
arrangements and more particularly to platforms for engaging
floral arrangement containers and combination of bag with
platform for transport of floral arrangements
Background of the Inv~ntion
A great deal of time can be spent in preparing a floral
arrangement, thus precautions have been taken in packaging
and transporting them to ensure that they are not damaged
during delivery. In the past, such precautions in packaging
have been very time-consuming and do not always ensure
safe delivery of the arrangement. One of the significant pro-
blems in packaging an arrangement is that the floral portion
usually extends two to three times the height of the container
where the base of the container is usually significantly
narrower than the size of the arrangement. The arrangement,
if not handled properly, may, therefore, tip over. Approaches
have been taken to provide boxes for floral arrangements to
add to their stability, as disclosed in United States patents
2,821,297 and 3,128,316. Such container boxes are complex
in structure and do not appreciably enhance the stability of
the arrangement.
In an attempt to protect the floral arrangement during
transport, bags may be used to contain the arrangement such as
shown in United States patent 3,431,706. According to one aspect
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of the floral arrangement disclosed in that patent, a circular
platform may be provided which is placed in a bag. The
- arrangement container or container with platform, as the casemay be, in that patent is free to move around within the bag,
because the bag, first of all, is not fitted to receive the
container or platform and, secondly, there is nothing linking
the closed upper portion of the bag to the arrangement. Thus,
the arrangement can tip within the bag while carrying, resulting
in the arrangement leaning against the plastic and causing
damage. Therefore, the bag provided very little, if any,
physical protection for the bagged arrangement during carrying
and when the arrangement is set down, there are instances when
the bag has moved relative to the arrangement which could cause
,~ arrangement upset when the bag is lifted for subsequent carrying.
With the several approaches in the past for providing
floral arrangement packaging, there have been made available
many different sizes and shapes of packaging for different types
of arrangement containers, such as vases, thin stemmed glassware,
flower pots, wicker baskets and the like. As a result, a
florist has had to carry several different types of packages in
order to package the different shapes of floral arrangements.
Due to the ccmplexity of the prior packaging, it has sometimes
been diff~cult to gain access to the floral arrangement after
delivery, thus frustrating the customer and, in some instances,
after removing the opaque covering, find that the arrangement
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has been damaged.
Summary of the Invention
The packaging arrangement, according to this invention,
overcomes a number of the above problems in providing a safety
packaging for floral arrangements which accommodate several
different designs for arrangement containers and provides a safe
manner of carrying and transporting the arrangement. The
packaging arrangement also provides increased stability to
facilitate handling and transport, and if needed, to steady
the arrangement container during arranging of the floral product.
The features and advantages of this invention are
realized according to one aspect in the provision of a foldable
platform blank which, when folded, is adapted for engagement
with floral arrangement containers. The blank is made of water-
proof corrugated cardboard with its corrugations extending the
blank's length. Two spaced-apart parallel score lines extend
transversely of the corrugations to define hinge areas for
similar platform end flaps. Each flap free end has a medial
recess with a plurality of spaced-apart rows of perforations
arranged symmetrically about the outline of said recess. The
length of each end flap is greater than one-half and less than
the distance between the score lines to provide overlapping
end flap portions for securement to each other when folded to
engage recess outline with the floral arrangement container.
The size of the base portion of the platform between the score
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lines is selected so as to be greater in breadth compared to
the expected breadth of dense portion of the floral arrangement.
The platform may not be broader than the overall width of the
arrangements, however, considering that the outer extremities
of the arrangement may include very light flexible branches or
flower stems, they are not readily damaged when packaged in
the carrying bag.
" The safety aspect of the packaging for the floral
arrangement comprises the use of a platform, which may be of the
, 10 above type. A support rod is embedded in a floral arrangement
' base and extends from container bottom to above the floral
arrangement. The plastic bag has a fitted bottom to receive
the platform with bag sides adjacent platform perimeter. The
bag is of a length to extend upwardly to the upper portion of
the support when embedded. The bag is secured about the rod
upper portion to provide carrying grip at bag closure, such
securement providing a stable packaging by said secured rod
; maintaining the platform in the fitted bag portion during
~- handling.
,:
The fitted bag bottom may be gusseted to provide a bag
bottom portion with pockets exterior of bottom portion and in
communication with bag interior. The pockets provide an
inflatable means on platform underside which inflates on
carrying a packaged arrangement by air moving from above the
platform to beneath into the pockets. This is due to the
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weight of the carried floral arrangement moving bag sides
inwardly. The inflated means, as such, absorbs shock when the
carried floral arrangement is set down, as it deflates by
returning air to above the platform.
The bag for the packaging may be transparent to visually
display the arrangement, thus damage to the arrangement can be
detected before delivery and repaired to ensure that the product
is in proper form for customer. The use of a platform of a
size greater than the expected breadth of the denser portion of
arrangement assists in transport, because the arrangement is
stable in delivery in a truck without need to secure it in the
truck and the packaged arrangement may be located beside one
another with the platforms abutting one another to provide a
spacing between the denser portions of the packaged floral
arrangements. The provision of the spaced-apart rows of perfo-
rations about the recess outline in each platform flap provides
an arrangement which accommodates varying shapes of arrangement
containers by way of permitting a controlled ripping of flap
portions forming custom-shaped fingers to secure the particular
container. The bag closure maintains air within the bag to
assure a somewhat puffed out aspect of the bag to display the
arrangement in a pleasing manner and to provide an insulative
layer of air about the arrangement.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the
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drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of safety packaging for
floral arrangement;
Figure 2 is a cut-away of the gusseted bag bottom for
the safety packaging of Figure l;
Figure 3 shows a folded platform blank engaging a
floral arrangement container;
Figure 4 is an elevation of the arrangement of Figure 3
having a support rod embedded in the base of the floral
arrangement;
Figure 5 shows the placing of the arrangement of Figure
4 into a bag having a gusseted bottom of the type shown in
Figure 2;
Figure 6 demonstrates the action of inflating the
inflatable means of the safety packaging;
Figure 7 is a plan view of the foldable platform blank;
Figure 8 shows the platform blank of Figure 7 folded
and engaging an irregular-shaped container; and
Figure 9 shows the platform blank of Figure 7, as folded
and engaging a cylindrical essentially straight-sided flower
pot or the like.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The safety packaging 10 for a floral arrangement of
Figure 1 comprises a plastic bag 12 having enclosed at its
fitted bottom a container platform 14 which engages and secures
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container 16. A support rod 18, which is embedded at the base
of the floral arrangement 20, has the bag 12 closed about its
upper portion by, in this embodiment, a wire crimp 22. The bag
is puffed out slightly, as shown, so that the bag sides clear
the flowers of the floral arrangement 20. The base of the bag
is fitted to receive the platform 14 which adds stability to
the arrangement and, in view of the relationship of the rod 18
secured to bag by closure 22 and imbedded in base of floral
arrangement, provides stability for the entire package. -
Turning to Figure 3, the floral arrangement 20, as
arranged in the base material 24, is contained in the container
16. The pedestal container 16 has pedestal portion 26 engaged
by platform flaps and a base portion 2 9, as shown more clearly
in Figure 4, located beneath the flaps. The platform 14 is,
according to a preferred embodiment, folded from a blank of the
type shown in Figure 7, the structure of which will be discussed
in more detail.
The purpose of the platform 14, as it engages the
pedestal portion 26 of the container 16, is to add stability to
the arrangement by substantially adding to the support surface
area of the base of the arrangement. The base 29 of the container
is sandwiched between flap portions 28 and 30, connected by
staples 32, in the manner shown in Figure 4 to secure the
container relative to the platform.
Depending upon the florist, it may be desirable to
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secure the foldable platform 12 onto container base before the
floral arrangement 20 is made up in the container. This adds
stability to the container to facilitate arranging of the
flowers therein.
After the floral arrangement 20 is provided in the
container 16, a support rod 18 has its base portion 18a, as
shown in dot, inserted into the base material 24 of the floral
arrangement. The support rod 18 extends well above the floral
arrangement 20. For purposes of increasing stability of the
packaging, the rod may be embedded to the extent that it con-
tacts the bottom 17 of the container 16.
Turning to Figure 5, the floral arrangement of Figure 4
is, in this instance, lowered into the bag 12. With this
embodiment, the platform 14 for the arrangement is essentially
rectangular or square-shaped, having radiused corners 30. This
facilitates placing of the floral arrangement platform 14 into
the bag 12, where the bag 12 has a gusseted bottom portion
generally designated 32 to take on the rectangular outline
of periphery 34 of the platform 14. It is appreciated that a
bagging machine may be used, such as the machine disclosed in
United States patent 3,431,706 which would be modified to
handle the bag with fitted bottom and corresponding rectangular-
shaped bottom.
After the floral arrangement, with platform is placed
in the bag 12, the bag is gathered at the top and closed about
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the rod 18 in the manner shown in Figure 1. In this
particular embodiment, a wire or metal bar 22 is crimped around
the gathered portion of the bag to secure bag about rod 18 and
to effect an essentially airtight closure of the bag. This
gathered-in portion generally designated 23 provides a carrying
grip for the floral arrangement. One can simply grab this
gathered portion and lift the arrangement for carrying.
This combination for packaging a floral arrangement
provides a stable packaging which maintains its stability even
during rough handling and also protects the packaged arrange-
ment. The support rod, as secured to the bag at 23, provides
a structural link between bag top and base of platform which
rests in the bag fitted bottom. The platform remains stationary
in fitted bag bottom, because the rod 18 prevents platform from
moving out of the bag bottom when the bag is carried or set
down. This is due to the rod extending from the bottom of
the container upwardly to the point of securement to bag. When
the bag is lifted, the rod may move slightly upwardly in the
floral arrangement base material 24, commonly referred to
floral foam. The upward movement is only slight and is
caused by the inward movement of the bag sides as the
arrangement is lifted. This interconnection between bag
closure, floral arrangement, container platform and fitted bag
bottom ensures that the bag bottom does not move relative to the
arrangement, such that when the arrangement is set back down,
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the platform remains in the fitted bag bottom. Further, should
the bag be tipped, the rod, as embedeed in the floral foam,
causes the entire arrangement along with platform to tip, so
that the arrangement remains in the central area of the bag
and thus is protected by enclosed surrounding air. This form
of packaging, therefore, provides an interrelated solid combi-
nation where the arrangement becomes part of the structural
combination for providing safety packaging and where the
arrangement always remains in the central area of the protecting
bag.
As shown in Figure 6, when the grip 23 is lifted in
the direction of arrow 38, the sidewalls 40 of the bag 12
move inwardly in the direction of arrow 42, due to the weight
of the floral arrangement pushing downwardly on the gusseted
bag bottom 34. The gusseted arrangement 34 provides at least
two inflatable pocket areas 44 and 46 on the exterior of the
bag bottom beneath the platform 14. As the bag is lifted and
the sidewalls move inwardly in the direction of arrow 42,
air is permitted to move in the direction of arrows 48 down-
wardly about the perimeter of the platform 14, such as over the
radiused corners and move in the direction of arrow 50 into
the pockets 44 and 46 and inflate same, such as generally
shown in ~igure 6.
Turning to Figure 2, it can be seen that the gusseted
bag bottom 34 has two pockets 44 and 46 beneath bottom portion
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52 of the bag as interconnected at seam 54. The pockets 44
and 46 are in communication with the interior of the bag.
The movement of the air into the pocket portions 44, 46
when the bag is lifted and carried avoids a sudden increase in
pressure in the bag above the platform by permitting this air
movement. As a result, there is no significant increase in
pressure exerted on the bag closuxe to thereby ensure that the
air is always contained in the bag and permits the use of a
lighter bag and appropriate closure. Otherwise, a violent
lifting of the arrangement could increase the pressure in the
bag above the platform, so as to break the closure thereby
necessitating heavier bag and closure to avoid breakage. To
eliminate the need for heavier bag and closure and to provide
other advantages of the invention, the gussets in the bag
bottom are arranged to be reverse of that normally found with
the bag, where the continuous portion of the bag is on the
inside of the bag adjacent the platform and the gusset pockets
are exterior on the bag bottom. This permits the pockets to
inflate when the bag is lifted by way of air movement thereinto.
As a result and unexpectedly with the arrangement of Figure 6,
when the bag is set down, the inflated pockets 44, 46 act as
shock absorbers to absorb any shock, should the arrangement be
set down heavily onto floor 56. The shock is absorbed by way
of deflating the pockets and forcing the air within the pockets
to return to the upper portion of the bag. This action of air
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return moves the bag sidewalls outwardly again to resume the
puffed-up pleasing appearance for the package.
It is appreciated that other configurations may be
provided for the platform and that the bottom of the bag may be
adjusted accordingly to retain or achieve the several advantages
of this invention in providing a safety packaging arrangement.
It can be appreciated that the purpose of the platform is to
add stability to the arrangement and, in view of the relation-
ship of the support rod 18 to the platform, it also adds
stability to the packaging. The floral co~ainer is not permitted
to move within the bag even should the bag be tipped.
When desired, the bag 12 may be made of transparent
material to visually display the arrangement. As a result,
the arrangement can be inspected before shipping to ensure
that it is in order, and if not, repairs can be made. At the
point of delivery, the delivery person can again inspect the
product to ensure that everything is in order before presenta-
tion to the customer. The customer can immediately see the
arrangement and thus get immediate surprise and satisfaction
from the delivery. With the use of a plastic bag in surrounding
the arrangement, it may be readily opened by ~imply cutting
around the base of the bag above the platform. The cut bag can
be lifted with support rod 18 away from the a~rangement. This
exposes the platform 14, whereby breaking the staple or other
connecting arrangements, the platform may be removed from the
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arrangement.
Turning to the aspects of the platform blank, reference
is made to Figure 7. The foldable blank consists of a base
portion 58 defined between parallel spaced-apart score lines
60 and 62 which extend transversely of the corrugations 64.
The corrugations in the blank extend the length of the blank.
The score lines 60 and 62 define hinge areas for the end flaps
28 and 30. The free end of each end flap has a medial or
centrally positioned recess 64 and 66. In this embodiment, the
1~ outline of the recess is essentially semi-oval. A plurality of
spaced-apart rows of perforations 68 are arranged symmetrically
about the outline or circumference of the recesses 64 and 66.
The shape of the recesses 64, 66 are such that, when the end
flaps are folded towards one another and ovelap, they define,
when the platform is looked downwardly upon, a circular opening
for various relative folded positions for the flaps. Thus,
in an upper position for the folded flaps, they define a circu-
lar opening which readily engages circular pots, wicker baskets
and bases which are of the taller variety.
In the past, it has been the approach to slit the
platforms to define a plurality of fingers, such as that shown
in United States patent 3,431,706, where fingers engage the
bottom of the pot. In defining the pre-arranged fingers, there
is little flexibility for accommodating varying shapes of
containers.
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Referring to Figure 8, an example of an odd-shaped
container 70 is shown, where the platform 14 as folded has its
flaps ripped to accommodate the shape of the odd-shaped
container 70. In this embodiment, it was unexpectedly
discovered that the perforations arrested or stopped the
tearing of the material between the perforations as the end
flaps 28 and 30 are folded and forced downwardly onto the
container sides. This forcing of the end flaps causes the
flaps to tear along the corrugations and when the flaps have
torn to the extent that the newly formed outline accommodates
the shape of the container, the perforations stop tearing at
that point, so that the tearing does not continue along the
corrugations. The end flap portions are stapled together
such as at 72 to maintain this positive engagement on the
container 70 to hold it for purposes of arranging flowers
therein and subsequent packaging. Therefore, with this type
of flat, the end flaps, as folded and ripped, provide custom
shaped fingers 74 which take on the outline of the particular
article.
Referring to Figure 9, the perforations also provide
for removing portions of the end flaps to engage the recess.
This allows the use of the platform 14 to accommodate larger
containers such as the flower pot 76 shown in Figure 9. It can
be seen that two strips of the end flaps have been removed along
the perforations to enlarge the recess opening 78, as it engages
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the larger circular upright walls of the container 76. Again,
once the end flaps have been forced downwardly to provide proper
engagement with the container sidewalls, the end flaps are
stapled together as at 80 to complete assembly and maintain
engagement with the flower pot. The platform is waterproofed
and, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
the waterproofing is by wax impregnating the corrugations.
To provide a wide variety in adaptations of the recess
to sizes of container and in terms of tearing the end flaps
to receive odd-shaped containers, four sets of perforations
69 are provided. It is appreciated that more or less may be
incorporated into the platform blank depending upon the use of
the blank.
The extent of overlap of the flaps, when folded towards
each other, may vary depending upon the use. According to
this embodiment, a preferred degree of overlap is to enable
stapling of the sections together and is achieved by making the
end flap of a length approximately two-thirds of the distance
between the score lines on the platform base.
To facilitate insertion of this type of platform in
bags and the like, it can be seen that at the extremities of
score lines 60, 62, V-shaped portions 82 are provided to define,
when the flaps are folded towards one another the radiused
corners 30 of Figures 5 and 8.
It can, therefore, be appreciated that the p'atform of
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this invention for floral arrangements readily accommodates
various types of containers and firmly secures the containers,
when the platform of the invention is used in combination with
the bag and support rod arrangements, there is a vast improve-
ment in handling the arrangement. The floral arrangements
may be packed on the basis of platform abutting platform,
since the breadth of the platform is designed to be at least as
broad as the dense portion of the floral arrangement. Further,
the slight inflation of the bag prevents any sharp object, or
the like, immediately puncturing the floral arrangement during
delivery.
Although various embodiments of the invention have been
described herein in detail, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that variations may be made thereto without
departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of
appended claims.
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